Coin capsules, holders and albums: how to store your coins properly
A coin can lose value sitting in a drawer. Fingerprints, moisture and scratches all leave marks. Some of that damage can’t be undone.
We see it more often than you’d think. A collector buys a lovely proof coin, takes it out of its capsule to have a look, then puts it in a tin with others. A year later the surface is marked.
Good storage doesn’t cost much. Here’s what we stock and how to choose. Shop coin accessories at our Mint Coin Shop.
Start with the coin’s size
Match the capsule or holder to the coin’s diameter. Too loose and the coin rattles around. Too tight and you risk pressure on the rim.
If you’re not sure, measure across the coin or check the mint’s product details. Most list the diameter. As a guide, an Australian $2 coin is about 20.5mm, so a 21mm capsule suits. A $1 coin is 25mm, so go with 25mm.
Capsules for the coins you care about most
Lighthouse capsules are clear, rigid and close tightly around the coin. We carry round capsules in 21mm and 25mm, plus the Ultra Premium 25mm if you want the clearest view.
The Quadrum square capsules sit flat and stack neatly. They’re our pick if you keep coins on a shelf or in a drawer.
I think a capsule is the best few dollars you’ll spend on any proof coin.
Holders for larger collections
If you’re storing dozens of coins, card holders make more sense. TACK staple holders have a clear window. You fold them over the coin and staple. They come in packs of 100, in sizes from 22.5mm to 35mm.
Prefer not to staple? Matrix self-adhesive holders seal shut on their own. Both types give you room to write the year, mint and finish on the card.
Coin boxes for capsule collections
Lighthouse coin boxes hold capsules in a fitted tray. There’s a 48-space box for $2 coins and a 35-space box for $1 coins. They suit collectors building a full run of designs.
Albums for circulating coins
Renniks albums are popular with anyone collecting coins from change. The Renniks Premier Australia Two Dollar Coin Album is laid out for the $2 series, and there’s an extra pages kit as the series grows.
The Renniks Coin Album Black takes refill pages with 20, 30, 42 or 63 pockets, so you can mix coin sizes in one album.
See the detail
The Lighthouse 7x pocket magnifier has a built-in LED light. It’s handy for checking mint marks, privy marks and small errors.
Know what you’ve got
The Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values 33rd Edition is the standard reference for Australian collectors. If errors interest you, Renniks Australian Pre-Decimal and Decimal Coin Errors is worth a read.
A few handling habits
Hold coins by the edge. Never clean them, even if they look dull. Keep your collection away from damp spots like bathrooms and garages. Our guide on how to store and handle coins has more detail.
Shop coin accessories
You’ll find the full range in our accessories collection. Some sizes sell quickly, so check back if one is out of stock. Shipping is free and tracked on orders over $150, and click and collect is available from our Hawthorn office.
