Coin Safe Square Coin Tubes

[Greg]

I've found a particular coin storing item I like and wanted to get some thoughts on gold storage. If I purchase one of these tubes, I believe they are meant to fit both a Gold Eagle 1 oz. (32.7mm diameter) and a Kruggerand 1 oz. (32.77mm diameter). I wanted to check this to be sure though.

http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/coin-sa ... eagle.html

They are also acrylic which from what I've read on this forum is far superior to plastic in terms of long-term holding.

The question I had was I found a deal for these on eBay for a few bucks for 5 of them. As I said they are meant for the Gold Eagles so the opening is 33mm diameter I believe and they hold 20 coins. If I used one of these for a Canadian Maple 1 oz. or a American Buffalo 1 oz. (both are smaller diameters because they are pure gold), is there a risk that if you had a few in a tube together they would scratch each other up (due to being soft pure gold)? Would it be worthwhile then when you have less coins in the tube to put one in, then a cotton ball or two, and then another on top of it and repeat?

Thanks for the input.

[craigr]

Gold coins come in those tubes as they ship to coin shops. You can try calling a local coin shop to see if they have any around they could sell to you cheap. Other than that, they are kind of a standard way to hold bulk coins at shops so should not be a problem. I think stuffing them with cotton is probably not necessary. I suppose putting in one cotton ball near the cap wouldn't hurt if you have a lot of space in the tubes. But basically they would just sit in a safe deposit box not moving so chances of damage is small.

I would however get the proper sized ones for Maples/Buffalos. The other size is going too be to big and they will shift around as you state and could damage the coins. Pure gold is incredibly soft stuff and is easily damaged!

[WildAboutHarry]

For gold coins I like the individual Air-Tite holders.  They come in a variety of metric sizes, they are inert, etc.  They cost a buck or so each, and you can "handle" the individual coins.  $1/$1600 = very cheap one-time expense.

Wizard sells them as well.

[Greg]

I was looking into getting the 32mm Square Coinsafe Coin holder for both Eagles and Kruggerands and the Half dollar 30.6mm Square Coinsafe for Canadian Maples. I've looked into the air-tites but I'm trying to cut out as much "extra costs" such as shipping and handling, etc. that I can out of gold ownership. I realize at the end, it doesn't really matter after 50 years of holding gold that you spend a dollar on an air-tite container, I'm just thinking at least for the Eagles and Kruggerands I don't mind putting them all in one container.

The Maple I would worry a little since it is pure gold about if you have many in a tube together of them grinding against each other. I'm not sure how much this matters though if the box isn't getting moved around all that much. If anything I'd look into the air-tites for the maples.

[Bean]

I use Air-Tites holders also and completely recommend them to preserve the coin.  Remember part of the value of Eagles is the very "known" look to allow for quick validation of content. Also, the coin itself does have some numistic value, don't throw that away if you can help it.

If you get really into the value of the numistics, you can picked them up "slabbed" or graded.  My current dealer has 2012 MS 69 slabs at $79 or 1.7% over the current spot of $1622.

[Greg]

Well since the Eagles and Kruggerands are 22k, I've heard it's pretty hard to scratch them. I would think because of this that the Coinsafe Tubes would be fine for the 22k gold at least.

Perhaps I should be leaning though towards Air-Tites for the Canadian Maples I have. The 24k are much softer so perhaps they need more protection than just a tube.

[FarmerD]

Any time I need one of those coin holders, i just ask my coin dealers to toss in one when I make a purchase.  So far, Texas Precious Metals and Goldmart have both been nice enough to give me free tubes.  So if you're a real cheapskate like me, you can try to go that route.  Doesn't hurt to ask. 

[Greg]

Update: My gold dealer here in my hometown gave me a American Silver Eagle U.S. Mint Tube so I have that for now at least. I'll have to figure out if I want to get one that actually is supposed to fit for Gold eagles at all.

[foglifter]

I was browsing for information about coin storage on the forum and spotted this thread. WildAboutHarry and Bean: you mentioned the Air-Tite capsules. I checked Amazon and found them at a ridiculous price of 1 cent a piece:

http://www.amazon.com/Air-Tite-Direct-C ... oin+Holder

I wonder if this is a legit item worth buying.

UPDATE: looks like the above item is real, the wholesale price at the manufacturer's website is 0.5 cent when buying 100 pieces:

http://www.air-tites.com/Wholesale_Dire ... olders.htm

[WildAboutHarry]

Foglifter,

That appears to be the legitimate item, but...

The cost is $0.01 plus $4.99 shipping for each holder.

So, not a real deal.  Expect to pay about a buck or so retail.

By the way, I prefer the holders with foam rings to the direct fit.  Gold looks good against the black ring  and the the "give" of the ring accommodates any variation in coin size from the fixed size of the direct fit holders.

Good luck.

[foglifter]

Foglifter,

That appears to be the legitimate item, but...

The cost is $0.01 plus $4.99 shipping for each holder.

So, not a real deal.  Expect to pay about a buck or so retail.

Wow, thanks for a tip! I added 10 pieces into the cart and the checkout screen showed $49.99 shipping charge - this is clearly a rip-off.

By the way, I prefer the holders with foam rings to the direct fit.  Gold looks good against the black ring  and the the "give" of the ring accommodates any variation in coin size from the fixed size of the direct fit holders.

Good luck.

BTW, are the holders with foam rings OK for Maple Leafs?

[WildAboutHarry]

Theoretically the Air-Tite holders and the foam rings are inert and will not leak plasticizers onto the coins like the PVC holders of old.

[Reub]

Can you get free shipping if you combine with other items? I know that Amazon does that sometimes.

[escafandro]

Theoretically the Air-Tite holders and the foam rings are inert and will not leak plasticizers onto the coins like the PVC holders of old.

I use this too.
https://www.apmex.com/Category/140/Air_ ... _Ring.aspx

[foglifter]

Can you get free shipping if you combine with other items? I know that Amazon does that sometimes.

Not on this one. Normally it depends on the seller, I believe the order should be fulfilled by Amazon or something like that. When it's an option Amazon adds a notice on the product description page.

[TripleB]

This definitely falls under the category of First World Problems of the 1%.

[foglifter]

This definitely falls under the category of First World Problems of the 1%.

Totally agree with the 1st World part. Can't boast about being in the 1% though.