Storing Banknotes

A little practical advice on properly storing your Banknote collection ...

If you're new to banknote collecting, then at some point storing banknotes will be your number one focus and you will have to work out the best way to protect and store your banknote collection.

Whatever way you choose will depend on your circumstances and personal preference. This guide simply explores the pros and cons of the various ways of storing banknotes.

All methods will protect your banknotes from damage as long the materials you use are archival quality, ie; acid-free.

Storing Banknotes - Banknote holders, wallets or currency sleeves.

These are plastic holders which are sealed along the bottom edge to allow access through the overlapping flap located at the top. The holders can be stored inside a drawer or box.

Advantages

• Allows easy access to banknotes for viewing.
• When reorganising or showing off the collection, there's less risk of damaging the banknotes since they are protected by the sleeve.
• While growing your collection, it allows minimum handling of unprotected banknotes so there's less risk of damage.
• Easy reorganisation of your banknote collection.
• Easiest extraction and reinsertion of banknotes. Useful for valuation purposes.

Disadvantages

• Compared to the banknote folder and sheet, a less impressive way of showing off your banknote collection.

Storing Banknotes - Banknote (currency) envelopes

Similar to the banknote holders, but also sealed along two sides to allow access through the slot at the top. The envelopes can be stored inside a drawer or box.

Advantages

• Allows easy access to banknotes for viewing.
• When reorganising or showing off the collection, there's less risk of damaging the banknotes since they are housed in the sleeve.
• While growing the collection, allows minimum handling of unprotected banknotes so there's less risk of damage.
• Easy reorganisation of collection.

Disadvantages

• Compared to the banknote folder and sheet, less impressive way of showing off the collection.
• A little bit more risk of damaging banknotes when inserting. However, this is rectified by gripping the banknote against the inside of the envelope and sliding it gently inside.

Storing Banknotes - Banknote album pages

These are plastic pages with a number of pockets. This can be 1, 2, 3, 4 or even 6. The pages are stored in a banknote binder with or without a slipcase.

Advantages

• Allows easy access to banknotes for viewing.
• When showing off the collection, there's less risk of damaging the banknotes since they're protected inside the pocket.
• More impressive way of showing your collection off.
• Provides a wide choice of designs and colours to suit personal preferences.
• No need to buy a drawer or box.

Disadvantages

• Binders and slipcases can be quite expensive.
• A little bit more risk of damaging banknotes when inserting. However, this is rectified by gripping the banknote against the inside of the envelope and sliding it gently inside.
• Small risk of damaging banknotes while reorganising your collection as handling unprotected banknotes takes place.

Conclusion...

The method you use for storing your banknotes is ultimately up to you.

If you like the flexibility of handling your collection while still protecting them, chose the banknote sleeves or envelopes.

If you like to show off your banknote collection to family and friends, choose the banknote pages.