At the end of last year, the product range of the SAFE online store expanded to include high-quality SAFLIP coin holders. What are SAFLIP coin holders and why are they so highly valued in the world? Why does Kaupo Laan, the author of the book “Coins of the Republic of Estonia and Monetary Reform Medals”, prefer SAFLIP coin holders?
What is SAFLIP?
In 1979, E&T Kointainer began developing a double pocket for coins intended for museum-quality preservation that would offer collectors an alternative to the risky vinyl pockets that could damage coins. The result of the development work was the SAFLIP® coin holder made of pure MYLAR® polyester resin, which was introduced in 1980. Later, the SAFLIP coin holder was improved to make it more foldable and airtight in cases where a collector decided to seal the pocket. In addition, acid- and sulfur-free information tags were developed that could be inserted into one of the two pockets if desired. Since 1980, millions of SAFLIP pockets have been purchased and used by collectors, dealers, and museums for the safe storage of coins. Not a single coin has been damaged in SAFLIP pockets during all these years.
Why SAFLIP?
A large part of the coin holders sold in the global market are made of vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These PVC-made holders are available in both soft and rigid forms, both of which are unsuitable for storing coins. Chemicals released from vinyl and the emitted hydrochloric gas cause coins to rust, creating a sticky green substance that makes the surface of the coin hazy and creates microscopic corrosion. For this reason, no type of vinyl is usually used in museums, as there is no safe type of vinyl.
SAFLIP coin holders are made of inert, archival-quality plastic: polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This is a plastic whose raw material is polyethylene, commonly known as “polyester,” which is produced and sold under various brand names. The most well-known brand is MYLAR®, which is registered to the large company DuPont.
SAFLIP coin holders are produced under strictly controlled conditions to prevent contamination by oil or any other dirt. They are packaged in inert bags and are free of paper and cardboard dust, which can cause staining. Harvard, Princeton, and Cornell Universities, James Madison University, and the University of Michigan use SAFLIP coin holders in their exhibits and storage facilities. The American Numismatic Association has been using SAFLIP coin holders since 1987 for their coin authentication service. SAFLIP coin holders are also recommended by the Glenbow Museum.
What does Kaupo Laan think?
Kaupo Laan, a collector and the author of the book “Coins of the Republic of Estonia and Currency Reform Medals,” gave his assessment of SAFLIP coin holders:
“I have tried various storage methods over the years (albums, coin frames, capsules, etc.), but excluding grading company holders from NGC and PCGS, the best ones have proven to be Saflips. Unlike capsules, they take up little space, and thanks to their good transparency, there is no need to remove coins from the flip to view them (the fewer coins you handle, the better they will be preserved!).
The price of Saflips is higher compared to other plastic sleeves, but it is cheaper to invest in high-quality storage solutions than to sell damaged coins later and get less money or pay large sums to professionals for cleaning. For my coins, only the best is good enough”!
Price of SAFLIP
Indeed, SAFLIP coin pockets cost almost double the price of other competing coin pockets. Depending on the dimensions of the pocket, you are looking to spend 18 or 20 euros for SAFLIP coin pockets, which seems like a lot, but not so much when you divide it up among the pockets. Considering that there are 50 pockets in each pack. 36/40 euro cents is not much to protect a valuable coin, often worth hundreds of euros!
Usage of SAFLIP
SAFLIP is a two-sided coin holder that can be folded in half. When folded, the coin does not slide out, but for those who want to be absolutely sure, there is a special welding machine available that can permanently and hermetically seal the coin holder.
Coin holders can be used in different ways. The most common use is to keep the coin in one pocket and information about the coin on special paper in the other pocket. For this purpose, white information tags made of acid- and sulfur-free paper that fit into the pockets are available separately. The pockets can also be used with appropriately sized coin frames or to hold a coin in each pocket.
SAFLIP coin holders are ideal for storing in coin frames.
SAFLIP coin holders are available in two sizes on the SAFE web store:
Photo credit: www.pcgs.com
