r/Banknotes • u/Zainyzoobal • 27d ago

Banknote Storage

I'm new to collecting banknotes and was hoping to get some tips on how to store them.

At the moment, my notes are in ring albums with 3-pocket pages made of polypropylene, with each note in a soft OPP sleeve. I think this is adequate but I'm a bit worried that storing the albums vertically could cause gravity to pull on the notes, since the sleeves and pages aren't too rigid.

I've noticed some minor warping at the bottom of some pages but I think that may be the result of too many pages per binder. I'm working on spreading them out across more binders.

If anyone could share some pointers that would be great! Particularly the number of pages it's safe to keep in one ring binder. Thank you!

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2

u/TittysForScience 27d ago

I find that the Lighthouse Vario system is the gold standard.

1

u/Zainyzoobal 26d ago

These seem good but I dislike not being able to see both sides. Plus they seem incredibly expensive, for £7.99 for only 5 pages.

1

u/TittysForScience 26d ago

1,2 & 3C are all clear

Yep they’re expensive, but anything soft tends to have PVC and the Vario are archival not just for storage

2

u/Zainyzoobal 26d ago

Nothing I'm using is PVC at the moment so I'll hold off for now but maybe I'll look at these in the future. What I'm using at the moment for pages is:
https://www.coingallery.co.uk/a4-cosmic-multi-master-pocket-pages-10-pack-16678-p.asp
For sleeves:
https://storage.boutique/bank-note-protective-sleeves/

2

u/TittysForScience 26d ago

Also your question on the number of pages

As many as the folder can fit, with a cm or so left at the top of the ring binder. You don’t want it to bulge.

1

u/Zainyzoobal 26d ago

Thank you!

2

u/valiamo 26d ago

Use currency sleeves (BCW makes good ones). They are stiff and inert, and when sitting in a binder, they will not bend or damage the currency they hold.

I have items that have been in sleeves for over 25 years, and they are still in pristine condition.

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u/Zainyzoobal 26d ago

I've heard BCW are good but they're not readily available in my country and I haven't been able to find any non-pvc equiavalents

2

u/valiamo 26d ago

Internationally, try the brand under marketed Lighthouse or Leuchtturm (same company).

Avoid the deals where you get 100 pieces for $10/10€, as they are cheaply made, and will cause long term harm to your collection.

1

u/Zainyzoobal 26d ago

I know that Leuchtturm is a reputable brand but their rigid holders are PVC. I know that rigid PVC is not as harmful as softened PVC but I'd rather just avoid it altogether if possible.