For the most part, there is little difference in the various brands of coin tubes available and those slight differences do not warrant additional information in this guide.  On the other hand, there is one no longer available brand name that is sometime encountered when buying old tubes of coins that does warrant discussion here.  There are the Meghrig & Sons tubes.  For those who are not familiar with these tubes, they where made in the late 1950s to early 1960s. They end up shrinking and causing the coins to be tightly stuck inside them. This was not an intended consequence and a few years after the tubes were introduced they were discontinued due to this problem. Occasionally, we still find these old shrunken tubes in groups of rolls that we buy.

On the positive side, these tubes offer original coins tubed 40+ years ago and unsearched since then for either high grade pieces or varities.  Moreover, given the tightness of the tube one can expect minimal, if any roll friction since the coins can not move inside the tub and rub against one another. The late 1950s and early 1960s are tough years to find high grade coins so the fact that these are well preserved in their original condition is a plus (and one that's nice enough to overcome the negative about to be described).

On the negative side, the coins are frequently very difficult to remove from the tubes without damaging the coins. Over the years, we have tried just above everything to open the tubes and remove the coins. We have tried boiling them to soften the plastic and then gently pulling it off piece by piece with a pair of pliers.  We have tried freezing the tubes and then shattering the plastic with hammer or hard impact.  We have banged on the bottom of the tubes until reluctantly the tube gives up the prized pieces one at a time.  To date, the most successful strategy has been to tilt the tube at a 45 degree angle and lightly tap it on a hard surface (a concrete floor covered with a thin, soft cloth is ideal) until the coins come out. This process seems to cause the coins to angle slightly reducing the amount of rim surface constricted by the tube. (The boiling option is my second favorite but takes more time and risks burning).

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