Reasons To Use Coin Albums For Some Coins And Coin Folders For Others
You likely started off your early days in coin collecting like I did -- picking coins out of circulation and placing them in those blue Whitman coin folders.
This is perfectly fine for a beginner with inexpensive coins and a shallow pocket for buying supplies. However, if you are going to spend your hard-earned money on buying high-end coins and you really want to enter the next level of collecting, then you are going to have to go beyond the basics.
Coin albums are the next step -- especially for your more expensive coin collections.
Albums Offer The Ultimate Protection
First things first, if you want to purchase protective albums for your coins, consider the "expensive" coin albums published by Whitman, Dansco, Littleton, H.E. Harris, and other manufacturers.
The cardboard coin folders with the slots that you snap your coins into are fine for inexpensive coins or the coins you pull out of your pocket change, but these coin folders present a few problems.
Namely, these folders do not provide the coins inside them any protection from errant fingers or other physical harm, as the faces of these coins have nothing covering them. The coins are sitting in slots, and the side of the coin facing you is completely bare and exposed.
The more expensive coin albums actually include clear slides that cover the coins inside the album. That way, nothing will be able to come in contact with the coins -- not even your fingers.
Chemicals In Cardboard Coin Folders Can Damage Coins
Another issue coin folders present is that, because they are made of cardboard, they contain compounds and chemicals that can harm the coins' metal.
Sulfur is a particular threat with any coin holder that is made from a paper product, but don't forget that glues can also be found in these cardboard holders. Because some metals (particularly copper) are highly sensitive to sulfur and other compounds, coin folders should be avoided -- especially for all expensive coins, mint-state or proof coins, and copper coins.
Modern coin albums avoid putting dangerous chemicals in contact with coins. While plastics which contain PVC (polyvinyl-chloride) are notorious for damaging coins over a period of time, the slides in newer coin albums contain acetate, which will not react with coins. (Just be careful that when you insert or remove the sides to assure that you are not scratching the coins underneath.) Furthermore, newer coin albums are constructed with materials designed not to tarnish, corrode, or otherwise harm the coin.
Coin Albums Are Best For Viewing Coin Collections
Finally, comes the issue of viewing coins.
Have you ever noticed one of the major drawbacks about putting coins into coin folders is that you can't see the other side of the coin? At least, that is, without having to take the coin out of the slot so you can examine the other side.
Coin albums allow for 2-sided viewing. With ports cut through the page, what keeps the coins in their slots are the clear slides, which prevent the coins from falling out of the pages and yet allow for viewing of both the front (obverse) and back (reverse) of the coins in the album.
Coin Folders Are Not All Bad
Reading this, you probably have the idea that coin folders must be "bad." Not at all. They just have drawbacks which should make collectors of expensive coins wary of putting their most prized possessions in cardboard tri-fold displays since they do not protect the coins inside very well.
However, for a beginning collector, coin folders are a great way to store and organize coins. Why, I still use coin folders for my collections of inexpensive coins. I do, however, place all of my more expensive coins in albums or other coin holders which do a better job of protecting coins.
Coin folders present their own positives, which include lower prices (between $3-7, versus $20 and up for most of the "expensive" coin albums). Also, those slim coin folders can be stored or tucked just about anywhere. Whereas, coin albums are usually an inch thick or more and typically measure about 7 to 9 inches wide by 10 to 12 inches tall -- a little bulkier than those trim coin folders.
Where To Find Coin Folders & Coin Albums
Coin folders and coin albums each have their following, and each have their own sets of pros and cons. Be sure you take into account which type of needs you have as a coin collector before you go out and buy either coin folders or coin albums.
Both can be found at most any brick-and-mortar or online coin dealer. Many bookstores carry limited supplies of both coin folders and coin albums, as well.
If you would like to browse what is on the market for coin albums and coin folders, check out these websites:
I noticed your article on coin album storage but the top anti corrosive coin album from Intercept Shield was not mentioned. The Intercept Shield coin album line is by far the most advanced and offers the best protection for your coins.
I was looking at the Dansco albums for the Presidential dollars.
How do you insert the coins into this type of album?
Thanks.