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Cheap coin supplies are in high demand by collectors who want to take care of their coins but don’t have much… ahem… “coin” to spare (cue the joke punchline drum shot… ba dum sssssst).
But, in all seriousness (OK, I’m not really going to get too serious – this is a blog post about a fun hobby after all), buying coin supplies can be a very expensive burden on coin collectors who have only a few bucks or so each week to spend on their passion.
So how can coin collectors on a budget find cheap coin supplies that they can trust?
Thankfully, there are plenty of great coin collecting supplies that can be bought even on a tight budget.
Here are 5 cheap coin supplies that you can buy from your local coin dealer:
#1 – Whitman Coin Folders
Among cheap coin supplies, there’s probably none more classic than the blue Whitman coin folders that coin collectors have been using since the middle of the 20th century.
While many companies manufacture coin folders, Whitman’s are among the most popular made today. These coin folders have a navy blue cover and light blue interior, and usually consist of 3 cardboard panels with holes cut out that are just large enough to accommodate coins of specific sizes.
Coin folders are usually the most cost-effective method for storing and organizing lower-grade date-and-mintmark coin collections, such as:
Most Whitman coin folders can be bought new for under $10, though some coin dealers offer used coin folders for $1 or less each.
MUST READ: When To Use Coin Albums Instead Of Coin Folders
#2 – Snap Lock Coin Holders
For those who want a fancy little presentation case for their coins, there are snap lock (or snap-tite) coin cases.
Marcus Snap Lock coin cases are 2” x 3” in diameter and are clear, flat clamshell cases that have a cardboard insert. The insert is often illustrated with a picture that is relevant to the coin, or coins, that the case is meant to display (though some inserts are velvet-lined).
These protective cases can be easily re-opened and reused.
Most Snap Lock coin displays cost under $1.50 each and are available for all denominations of U.S. coins.
#3 – Cardboard 2×2 Coin Flips
If you’ve ever been to a coin dealer’s shop, you have probably noticed that most of the coins there are stapled into square cardboard holders that have a single clear circular window in the middle.
These coin holders (also known as “coin flips“) are usually referred to as 2 by 2’s. The name of these cheap coin supplies simply refers to the dimensional size of the cardboard holder.
However, 2 by 2’s also come in other dimensions:
- 1-1/2” x 1-1/2” for smaller coins (such as pennies and nickels)
- 2-1/2” x 2-1/2” for large coins (like American Silver Eagles and foreign crowns)
Before a “flip” holds a coin, it starts out flat as a 2×4-inch rectangular strip of cardboard with a score line down the middle. You place your coin on one side and then physically flip (or fold) the top half over the bottom half — fastening it shut with staples or built-in adhesive to create a neat 2×2-inch square.
The circular cut-outs (windows) are perfectly sized for coins of various dimensions — from the dime on up through the American Silver Eagle.
Normally, a 100-pack of 2×2’s sell for around $7. If you buy them individually, expect to pay about 10 to 20 cents each.
#4 – Mylar Coin Flips
There are many variations of clear plastic coin flips.
Mylar coin flips are pliable plastic coin holders that have 2 square clear pouches – one to hold a coin, the other to hold a paper insert that identifies the contained coin.
One of the safest kinds of mylar coin flip is the SaFlip coin flip, which does not contain any polyvinylchloride (PVC) or other agents that are known to harm coins.
Most mylar coin flips are about 2” by 2” square and accommodate coins of all dimensions up through the silver dollar. (There are also 2-1/2” by 2-1/2” coin flips for American Silver Eagles and other large-size coins.)
A pack of 50 mylar coin flips typically costs $10 to $15.
#5 – Coin Tubes
Have lots of duplicates that you either want to sell or hang onto for the future? Maybe a bunch of loose coins that you don’t really want to display right now but still want to keep safe?
Coin tubes may be just what you’re looking for!
Coin tubes are rigid, plastic roll containers that can hold large quantities of coins. These clear, polystyrene tubes have a screw-on cap and are ideal for safe, long-term storage of your coins.
Coin tubes contain as many coins for each respective denomination, as you might find in a roll of coins from the bank:
- One-cent coin tubes can contain 50 coins
- Nickel coin tubes hold 40 coins
- Dime coin tubes accommodate 50 coins
- Quarter coin tubes house 40 coins
- Half-dollar coin tubes protect 20 coins
- Large-size dollar coin tubes hold 20 coins
- Small-size dollar coin tubes secure 25 coins
H.E. Harris is one of the most popular coin roll manufacturers which sells round coin tubes and square coin tubes.
A box of 100 coin Tubes sells for around $40, though most coin dealers sell them separately for about 50 cents to $2 apiece.
READ NEXT: What To Expect Your First Time At A Coin Dealer’s Shop
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