How long will BU Red Lincolns stay red?

[Bob P]

Your coins will keep their red color in the storage containers you stated for quite a long time. Enemies of the coins are PVC type flips, air, moisture, and light. In a staple type 2 X 2, you must be sure to keep the staples as far away from the coin as possible in case the staples rust. If you do keep them in the pocket pages, then that is more protection for them.
As far as coins in tubes go, pretty much the same rules apply. I wouldn't necessarily keep them in paper wrappers though as over time, the paper will break down and might discolor your coins, especially around the edges. If you have plastic round or square coin tubes, keep them out of the light and damp places as well. A cool dry place is best for maintaining the nice color on your coins.

Bob P

[coppercoins]

I agree with Bob - the one caveat I would have to add is that fingerprints - although not visible when you put them in the holders - will ALWAYS show up later if they aren't properly removed from a full red coin, which is why it is imperative that coins NEVER be held by their surfaces and ALWAYS by their edges. The only time this is not applicable is when your hands are bone dry and have NO oils on them - a good antibacterial soap and a good scrub down will accomplish this and is good for about an hour or three....then you'd have to wash again to take off the naturally secreted oils. Or just handle the coins by the edges - ALWAYS.

[Bob P]

Extremely good point Mr. Chuck. I missed that one all together. As a matter of fact, if you read a lot of the sales pitches on Ebay...they all wear cotton gloves (Yeah...right!) I would sure love to be in the glove business right now! Actually, if you do have some of those thin white cotton gloves, they are good to use also.

Bob P

[Robert]

Would you recommend using mineral oil for long-term storage?

[coppercoins]

I don't think it would hurt anything - but make sure it's mineral oil (not vegetable, peanut, or olive oil) and check the coins once in a while for something growing on them. That's about the best advice I can give on the subject. I personally don't do it, but that means very little - it's not because I don't think it's dangerous to the coins, it's just that I think it's messy and doesn't do much good.

[Mark]

Robert:

If you check back to this thread, let me add that I think Oreville (on the PCGS boards) has mentioned using mineral oil to store his coins. In my opinion, Oreville is an incredibly accomplished numismatist, so you might want to pm him on the PCGS boards to get his opinion. Of course, if you do and my memory is mistaken so that Oreville doesn't have the vaguest idea what you are talking about....well, let me know and I'll quickly edit this post so that I don't look a fool!

Mark

[smed]

Oreville may have an extremely nice accumulation of coins, but "incredibly accomplished"? Sure helps to have a very large income...

[Mark]

When I said "incredibly accomplished" I was referring to the fact that, in my opinion, he knows a lot about numismatics. Oreville knew Mr. and Mrs. Norweb when he was a child and they were active, and so I expect that some of this rubbed off on him. I wasn't referring to the size of his collection, though I do suspect it's large.

I agree with your implicit assessment that it's possible to have a large wallet and a magnificant collection without being an "incredibly accomplished" numismatist. But I stand by my characterization of Oreville as "incredibly accomplished."

Mark

[smed]

Okie doke. He musta learned a lot in the last couple of years. Can't be an accomplished numismatist without some knowledge.