How to store coins so they keep their value
Hold a coin by its edge, keep it in an inert holder, and store it somewhere cool and dry.
- Pick up a coin by
- The edge
- Never touch the faces
- Avoid
- Soft PVC
- It can leave a green film
- Keep it
- Cool and dry
- Away from damp and swings in heat
Most damage to coins comes from fingers, bad plastic and damp air, and all three are easy to avoid. A good holder costs a few cents per coin. A fingerprint or a green film can cost a collector coin much of its value.
Handling
- Pick a coin up by its edge, with your thumb and finger on opposite sides. Do not touch the faces.
- Work over a soft cloth or a table pad, so a dropped coin does not hit a hard floor.
- Do not talk, cough or sneeze over a coin. Droplets leave spots.
- Do not clean it, rub it or dip it. Cleaning almost always lowers the price.
Holders
| Holder | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid capsule | Single valuable coins | Inert plastic. The coin does not touch the sides if the size is right. |
| Graded holder (slab) | Coins sent to a grading service | Sealed with the grade and a certificate number. |
| Cardboard 2x2 with a window | A large number of coins | Cheap and stackable. Write the date and mint mark on the card, not on the coin. |
| Mylar flip or album page | Sets and everyday storage | Choose polyester (Mylar). Do not use soft vinyl. |
| Soft vinyl (PVC) flip | Avoid | Can slowly leave a sticky green film on the coin. |
In a 2x2, the coin sits behind a Mylar window and does not touch the card. Loose coins in plain paper envelopes are another matter: paper can hold sulfur that tarnishes silver, and rubber bands contain sulfur too, so neither belongs near a coin.
Where to keep them
Pick a spot that stays dry and keeps a steady temperature, such as an interior closet or a drawer. Avoid basements, attics and rooms next to a kitchen or bathroom. Damp air speeds up tarnish on silver and spots on copper. A small packet of silica gel in the storage box helps, and you should replace it when it is used up.
If the collection is worth a lot, check that your home insurance covers it, and think about a safe. A bank safe-deposit box is a common choice, but ask whether its contents are insured.
Bullion and bags
Bullion coins and bars are usually kept in the plastic tubes or capsules they came in. Bags of junk silver can go in a strong container, but loose coins knock together and get marks, so keep any coin that might be worth more than its silver in its own holder. Tarnish on silver does not change its melt value, but it can change what a collector will pay.
Keep a list
Write down what you own, with the date, the mint mark and your best-guess grade. My Stack does this, and shows the melt value at the live price and a collector estimate. Keep a copy of the list apart from the coins, so you have a record if something is lost.
Not investment advice. Lustre is not investment, tax or legal advice. Prices move and you can lose money buying metals or coins. Read the editorial policy to see how prices and figures are sourced.
Quick answers
What is the safest holder for a coin?
For one coin, a rigid inert plastic capsule or a graded holder is the safest. For many coins, a cardboard 2x2 holder or a flip made of Mylar (a polyester film), stored in a box or album page, is common and cheap.
Why should I avoid PVC?
Soft, flexible plastic that contains PVC (polyvinyl chloride) can slowly give off chemicals that leave a sticky green film on coins. Look for holders that say PVC-free or are made of Mylar, polyester or polypropylene.
Should I keep silver coins in a bank vault or at home?
It is your choice and depends on value and risk. A bank safe-deposit box is usually not insured against loss of its contents, so check with the bank and your own insurance policy.
What does humidity do to coins?
Damp air speeds up tarnish on silver and spots on copper. Store coins somewhere that stays dry and does not swing hot and cold, and avoid basements and attics.
Can I wipe a dirty coin before I store it?
No. Wiping or cleaning a coin scratches the surface and can lower its value. Store it as it is.
Try it on your coins
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