This section focuses on the issue of proper storage of BU rolls which generates a lot of questions among collectors. In short, there are a lot of acceptable options and a few wrong ones.

The main situation to avoid is storing rolls in a wet environment or one that is not climate controlled. Extra precaution should be taken in coastal areas due to the presence of salt in the air and general environment.

Many people choose to store their valuables, including rolls of coins in a home safe. Those with fire-rated safes should understand that these safes typically trap moisture (ask your safe's manufacturer for details if you have one of these safes). As a result, storing coins in these types of safes requires extra care in keeping silica crystals or another absorbing agent present and active in the safe to keep any trapped moisture away from the coins. This requires regularly replacing or renewing the absorbing agent.  Those desiring the best in protection of their BU rolls often use boxes lined with Intercept Shield.

Another common roll collector dilemma is whether to keep the rolls in the original wrapper or open them and place the coins in a plastic tube. As one would expect, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. On the one hand, a sealed tube better protects the coins from moisture and environmental contaminants. Sulfur, widely present in the environment and a component of most wood and paper products (including the paper used to wrap coin rolls), causes coins to tone (turn dark). This is particularly true of silver and copper coins which are very reactive. The toning concern is less acute with nickel and copper nickel clad coins. Keeping coins in their original color is usually best accomplished long-term through the use of tubes for roll storage.  We carry a supply of both round and square tubes in all popular sizes for collectors wishing to better protect their roll collections.

On the other hand, coins can be fingerprinted or otherwise impaired in the process of transferring them from a roll to a tube if one is not extremely careful. Also, coins are typically a little loose within coin tubes which could allow them to rub together and lessen the quality of the coins. Finally, today's current BU roll market places a premium on unopened rolls. This has not always been the case and likely will not always be the case. Notwithstanding, the disparity in price on some issues today is great enough to warrant consideration of this factor in the tube/paper decision.

Whether your rolls are kept in tubes or their paper wrappers, one superb way to store them are a line of tough boxes made for roll storage.  These boxes are sized for the appropriate roll size and are heavy enough to handle the weight of the rolls.  They have dividers to keep the rolls neat and are color coded for the denomination of the rolls inside.  We have the boxes for cents, nickels, dimes, quarters, halves and silver dollars.  Click here to see current listings.  Here's a picture of the boxe (and lid) for quarters: