When collecting coins, proper care and storage is essential to keeping the value of your collection intact. Keeping your coins in holders protects them from accidental damage such as fingerprints, oils, or even from the elements such as leaks and dust. Storing your coin collection in a clean, dry environment also helps to prevent corrosion from oxidation and other environmental hazards.
A common choice for beginners are folders. These are cardboard pieces with circular holes that fit a single coin perfectly and hold it securely in place. Often each hole is labeled with either a date or description of the coin that belongs in that spot. These are an inexpensive and easy to use option for beginning collectors.
Another option for beginner collectors are coin albums. These are large sheets of cardboard similar to the way that coin folders are constructed, but they do not fold. They typically come with plastic 2 x 2 pages that are designed to fit both 1.5 and 2.5-inch cardboard coin holders as well as coin flips. Some collectors prefer these because they are durable, inexpensive and provide a lot of flexibility for organizing and reorganizing a collection.
Both of these options for storing coin collections should be kept away from sunlight, which can fade the color and clarity of the coins. They should also be stored in an area that is not prone to humidity fluctuations, which can cause damage and pitting. Finally, they should be stored in a safe location such as a bank deposit box or a burglar and fire rated home safe.