Paper flips / envelopes
Inexpensive 2x2 cardboard holders with a clear mylar window, stapled shut, good for organizing larger groups of coins. Staple carefully away from the coin itself.
Collector's Corner
How to Store Coins the Right Way
Bad storage is the most preventable way a collection loses value. Most of the damage we see on old collections — haze, spotting, corrosion, sticky surfaces — happened slowly, at home, and could have been avoided.
Rule one
Never clean a coin
This is the single most important rule in this entire guide, so it comes first.
Polishing, rubbing, dipping in a cleaning solution, or even wiping a coin with a soft cloth can create fine scratches (called hairlines) and strip away original luster and toning. To an experienced grader, a cleaned coin is usually obvious and will typically receive a "Details" grade rather than a numeric grade, which almost always lowers its value compared to an equivalent problem-free coin. A dirty, toned, or spotted coin almost always keeps more value left uncleaned than "cleaned up" at home. If you're unsure whether something needs attention, ask first.
Holders
Choosing the right holder
Different holders suit different purposes — from long-term bulk storage to display to permanent certified protection.
2x2 flips (vinyl or Mylar)
Soft plastic flips are common but vinyl (PVC-containing) flips are dangerous for long-term storage — see below. Mylar or polyester flips are the safe alternative.
Capsules
Rigid, snap-together plastic capsules sized to a specific coin diameter. Excellent for individual valuable coins that will be handled, displayed, or stored long-term.
Certified holders (slabs)
Sonically sealed, tamper-evident hard plastic holders used by PCGS, NGC, and PMG after grading. These are inert and archival, essentially the gold standard for storage of a certified coin.
The PVC problem
Why old vinyl flips and album pages are dangerous
Many soft, flexible coin flips and old-style album pages sold for decades were made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Over years, PVC plasticizers break down and off-gas, leaving a green or brown, oily-looking, sticky residue on a coin's surface. Left long enough, this residue can etch into the metal permanently, leaving damage that no amount of careful cleaning can fully undo without harming the coin further.
If you find coins in old, cloudy, or sticky-feeling plastic flips or albums — very common in inherited collections — the immediate priority is simply to stop the exposure: remove the coin from that holder (handling only by the edges) and place it in an inert holder instead. Do not attempt to remove existing PVC residue yourself; a professional conservation or dealer opinion is the safer route once you've stopped further damage.
Climate
Storing coins in the Lowcountry's coastal humidity
Mount Pleasant and the greater Charleston area run humid for much of the year, and coastal air carries fine salt content — both of which accelerate corrosion on copper and silver coins in particular.
- Keep coins in a climate-controlled interior space rather than a garage, attic, shed, or exterior closet, where humidity and temperature swings are worst.
- Silica gel packs inside a storage box or safe help absorb ambient moisture — replace or recharge them periodically.
- Avoid storing coins in a basement or crawlspace-adjacent space if it's ever damp to the touch; copper coins especially will begin to spot and corrode.
- A stable, moderate temperature matters as much as low humidity — avoid spaces that get hot in summer, which speeds up chemical reactions on a coin's surface.
- If you notice a musty smell in a coin box or album, treat that as an early warning sign and move the coins to a drier location before damage sets in.
Physical security
Safes, safe deposit boxes, and handling
Home safes
A quality, bolted-down home safe protects against theft and fire for day-to-day access, but standard safes are not humidity-controlled — pair one with silica gel packs if coins will live there long-term.
Safe deposit boxes
A bank safe deposit box offers strong security and is often more climate-stable than a home environment, at the cost of convenient access. A reasonable choice for a core collection you won't handle often.
Handling rules
Hold coins by their edges only, ideally over a soft towel or padded surface in case of a drop. Avoid touching the coin's faces — skin oils and residue can etch surfaces over time, especially on copper and silver.
Cotton gloves
Cotton or nitrile gloves reduce oil transfer for especially valuable or uncirculated coins, though careful edge-handling alone is sufficient for most day-to-day handling.
Records
Insurance and inventory records
Storage protects a coin physically; documentation protects its value on paper.
Keep a simple written or spreadsheet inventory of what you own: date, mint mark, denomination, grade (if certified), certification number if applicable, and approximate value with the date it was assessed. Photograph individual higher-value coins on both sides. This record matters for insurance claims, estate planning, and simply knowing what you have without re-examining every piece.
Homeowner's and renter's policies often cap coverage for coins and collectibles well below their actual value; a rider or a separate collectibles policy may be worth discussing with your insurance agent for a collection of meaningful value.
VerifyConfirm whether Mount Pleasant Coin provides written appraisal documentation suitable for insurance purposes, and any associated cost.
Keep reading
Related guides
Coin Grading Explained
See why cleaning and improper storage lead directly to "Details" grades.
Read the guideInherited a Collection?
Found coins in old holders or damp storage? Start here.
Read the guidePCGS vs. NGC
Certified holders (slabs) are the most protective long-term storage option.
Read the guideNot sure whether a collection you've inherited has already been damaged by storage? See our inherited collections guide or request a free evaluation— we're happy to look before you do anything to the coins yourself.
Worried a collection has already been damaged?
Bring it in exactly as you found it. We'll tell you honestly what's salvageable and what to do differently going forward.