Air Tite Model A - Black Ring Capsule - 10mm

Buy Air Tite Model A - Black Ring Capsule - 10mm

To the connoisseur of coins it is the protection of a collection that is of first importance. Any coin, whether it is small or big, is a time, emotion and resources investment. The Air-Tite Model A 10mm Black Ring Capsule is a design not just as a holder, but as a personal archival vault, made up to hold your tiniest and most fragile treasures. In protecting fractional gold bullion or scarce historical coins, or just keeping that special medallion safe, this capsule gives you the assurance that your investment is being guarded by the best in numismatic protection. The real Air-Tite holders are manufactured in the U.S. and trusted by collectors, dealers and even mints that will not settle on long-term protection.

The Science of Clarity: Archival-Grade Acrylic Construction

Material science is the basis of protection of the Air-Tite capsule. Capsules are manufactured to perfection using high-impact, crystal-clear acrylic polymer. The material is not just selected on its optical clarity which is exceptional, but it is also selected on chemical stability. The acrylic is inert chemically and includes a non-yellowing agent, so that the capsule will be transparent and show no sign of degrading or discoloring during decades of storage.

The most important aspect of this archival quality acrylic is that it is completely PVC free (Polyvinyl Chloride). PVC has been cited in the numismatic community as one of the major threats to long-term integrity of a coin. Other low-quality holders such as soft vinyl flips may have PVC, and this type of plastic has chemical additives, known as plasticizers, that plasticize the material to make it flexible. These plasticizers can come out of the plastic and onto the coin surface over time particularly when subjected to heat or humidity. This leaves a sticky greenish substance commonly referred to as "green slime". It is a residue of a chemical reaction that produces hydrochloric acid, which permanently damages and etches the metal surface of a coin corroding it and reducing its value to a significant degree. The PVC-free construction of the Air-Tite capsule ensures that there is absolutely no risk of any such reaction occurring, and that it is hence the absolute solution to safe long-term archival storage.

The Black Ring Advantage: A Secure and Elegant Fit

As discernible with this Model A capsule, the black ring not only has the protective advantage of augmented protection but it also adds to its aesthetic appearance. It is not just a piece of foam; the ring is made of Volara, an inert, cross-linked polyethylene foam that enjoys a great deal of confidence among archivists and conservationists working in museums and conservation labs.

The main work of the Volara foam ring would be to provide a soft cushion of protection that would keep the coin at the exact middle of the capsule. This tight fit also eliminates the noise and the movement of the coin during handling, which might otherwise create micro-scratchings on the coin by its edge and high-relief features. The inert quality of the foam makes it that there is no chemical reaction between the foam and the metal of the coin even though they have been in direct contact over decades.

Elegant Display: The black ring is an an aesthetically pleasing way of framing the display. This sharp contrast edge brings out the details of the design of the coin well, and makes it more attractive to display in a collection case, or even to be admired by one person.

A Perfect Fit Compatible Coins, Medallions, and Tokens

The 10mm diameter of this capsule means it is suitable to store a number of smaller but important numismatic items across the world. It is versatile; it can accommodate not only modern fractional bullion but also the ancient coinage and is a safe and standard way to house varied collections.

Protecting Your Smallest Gold Bullion

Fractional gold coins are often the point of entry of investors and a target of many experienced collectors. They are very small though which makes them easily misplaced or damaged. The 10mm Air-Tite capsule is an excellent fit to some of the most popular issues:

• 1 gram Gold Panda: The Chinese Mint also produces a 1 gram Gold Panda coin with a 10mm diameter diameter, which also makes this capsule a direct-fit solution.
• Mexican Maximillian Gold Coin: This is a historical small gold coin which is usually a part of the world gold collection and the diameter measurement of this coin is 10mm.
• Bullion: Private mints and manufacturers produce 10mm gold tokens or even miniature rounds which can be put into this holder.

A Home for Historical and Numismatic Treasures

In addition to contemporary bullion, this capsule represents an outstanding archival solution to a variety of historical coins and tokens of small size, which demand a certain degree of preciseness in terms of protection.

• The British Royal Maundy: The British Royal Maundy penny is very small; its diameter is about 11.15 mm. A little bit bigger than the ring, the Volara foam with its flexibility can many times fit the coin, creating a snug fit and a beautiful frame to such a historic coin.
• Ancient Coins: There is a wide world of ancient numismatics that includes lots of these sized small denominations. Greek electrum hektai or 1/12 staters can be 8mm to 11mm in diameter and therefore this capsule is an ideal choice to protect these thousands-of-years-old coins.
• Tabletop Games and Board Games: Private-issue tokens produced to serve as in-game tokens in tabletop games and board games, often done in the standard 10mm size, can also be easily collected in the capsule.

The Art of Handling: A Guide to Protecting Your Coins

The numismatic community has a divided but well-founded opinion as to how to handle high-quality coins. The main aim will be not to pass the corrosion skin oils and not to drop the coin.

• Bare Hands: Some professional graders and those with experience prefer using clean, dry hands. This technique is the most sensitive to touch and provides a secure hold, which minimises the likelihood of losing a coin. Nevertheless, it is necessary to maintain a high level of discipline to keep the coin only by its edges.
• Cotton Gloves: Cotton gloves are the classic, absorbent and skin-friendly gloves that prevent fingerprints. Their greatest disadvantage is that the material may be slippery on the metal surface of a coin, which may make a drop more likely. When handling the coin with cotton gloves, make sure they are lint-free so they will not leave fibers on the coin.
• Nitrile Gloves: Nitrile gloves are a modern alternative to cotton gloves; they are snug-fitting and powder-free with an excellent grip and they do not leave any lint. The biggest factor is that certain versions of nitrile may include sulfur which may cause tarnishing to silver coins; this is not so much of an issue with gold.

After all, it is best to deal with the coins on a soft padding like a velvet tray or a thick towel, and the way that will allow you to have the most secure and confident contact might be either gloved or bare-handed.

How to Safely Open and Assemble Your Air-Tite Capsule

Although the capsules are intended to create a secure seal, the opening of Air-Tite capsules does not damage the capsule or the coin within. To collectors, this is a common issue because one might require the coin to be transferred or re-examined out of the holder.

1. Prepare Your Work Table: A flat surface on a stable surface should be prepared e.g. a soft clean cloth, or numismatic mat. This will save the coin in case it drops accidentally in the process.
2. Choose the Appropriate Tool: One that is used is a thin non-razor blade. A variety of collectors find success with a small utility knife or pocket knife, an X-Acto No. 11 blade or simply the point of slanted tweezers. This is to ensure the tool is finely pointed that it can squeeze into the seam but not too sharp that it is easily slipped and can lead to injury.
3. Apply Light Force: The tool should be used by giving a light push into the small space between the cover and the base of the capsule. Instead of prying, turn it with a spinning motion. Go all around the capsule working a little twist now and then as you go around. This will break the seal evenly.
4. Pull Apart the Halves: After a gap of a few millimeter has been created all around the edge, you can pull the two halves apart using just your fingertips.
5. Pull Coin out of Hole: ensure that the base of the coin is between the thumb and middle finger to extract the coin at the bottom without getting on either side of the face. Strike gently the heel of your hand against a hard surface, and the inertia will cause the coin to leap out and down safely onto your soft mat below.

Long-Term Storage: Creating a Secure Microclimate

While individual Air-Tite capsules provide an exceptional first line of defense, creating a stable microclimate for your entire collection offers the ultimate level of long-term preservation.

• Secondary Storage: Store your encapsulated coins in purpose-built storage boxes or tubes. These containers keep the capsules organized and prevent the acrylic surfaces from scratching against one another.
• Humidity Control: No holder is perfectly airtight over a span of many decades. To combat the slow ingress of ambient humidity, especially in damp climates, place desiccants inside your larger storage container, such as a safe or cabinet. Reusable silica gel packs or montmorillonite clay are archival-safe options that absorb moisture from the enclosed environment, protecting your coins from the risks of toning and corrosion.