Holders - Lighthouse vs Hartberger

Hello everyone,

I recently decided to sort out my collection that has been left un-loved for over 40 years - This is bringing back childhood memories, very strange feeling. 

Anyway, I went from 0 to 100 in about 2 weeks - without perhaps researching properly first. Foot now off the throttle 🚓

So… i am now pretty much finished putting my coins in Lighthouse holders, the self adhesive type; I also have a few large Hartburgers for very large coins.

Currently stocking them in old photo slide wooden boxes - I will cherry pick some to go into either trays or albums (in the card holder)

1. Is one brand better than the other? (not cost wise, I am more concerned with long term preservation)
    
2. The larger HB holders i have, i purchased here on ebay - Now, they came in a plastic, unsealled pocket inside the box - Would HB holders have a brand marking on them, like the lighthouse ones have on the little tab? I am concerned that the ones i have bought aren't genuine, i only bought 25 and only wrapped one coin so far.
    
3. Do you quickly dip coins in acetone to get rid or hand grease, saliva,… before sealing them in the flip?
    
4. Finally, anyone knows what size i should use - I have read somewhere that it was diameter + thickness / 2 (can't find the post sadly) - so if that adds up to 29 for instance, i would then use 30mm holders - however, it does seem a little tight at times, and next size up a little loose?

I will also post on the french side to get their opinion. (presumably posting on both sides of numista is not frowned upon? 😀)

Many thanks.

I don't use adhesive flips so I can't say anything about the power of the seals.

For brand marking, Hartberger should have a crown on the lashes (at least mine have).

Personally I “wash" higher quality copper alloy coins in rubbing alcohol where I suspect somebody touched them like coins out of circulation or from a vendor that didn't use gloves or the right ones (you can sometimes see slight fingerprints and if it's not that long a go you can still prevent ugly oxidation).

Self-adhesive flips:

Having used both Lighthouse & Hartberger brands, initially I thought Lighthouse was lower quality, with the glue they use occasionally dribbled over the viewing window. Hartberger is more like double sided tape, and always in the correct place.

However, a few years later many of the Hartberger flips have started to unstick, especially the ones containing thicker coins, you end up having to staple them anyway.

So, for 2x2's (50x50 mm) I now only use Lighthouse flips, and I limit my use of Hartberger flips to the larger 67x67 mm flips that Lighthouse doesn't do.

Genuine Hartberger flips ‘do not’ have branding on the tab like the Lighthouse flips do - which surprised me because on the box they come in it does show a HB logo on the tab, but no, not on the actual flip.

Ok, thanks. So there is no issue with the plastic in any of these holders?

Also, anyone has any view regarding the size of holder to choose in relation to the size of the coin? 

Finally, what is the best way to release a coin from a holder? Peel it open i suppose?

Cheers.

“…no issue with the plastic in any of these holders?”

The plastic used is polypropylene it is acid, lead & PVC free, they are coin safe, at least the branded ones are.

“…view regarding the size of holder to choose?”

I always use the smallest I can, so it stays centred, but not so small it touches the edge of the viewing window.

“…best way to release a coin from a holder?”

Finger and thumb either side, hold firmly and push gently, you will end up with a polypropylene coin sandwich.

Ligthouse Holders contain PVC, at least one  i bought. Avoid those. 

mrFloki

Ligthouse Holders contain PVC, at least one  i bought. Avoid those. 

I am afraid, you bought some cheap China-made crap.

I think Leuchtturm uses hard PVC (without plasticers) for some products which doesn't harm your coins.

yvon

mrFloki

Ligthouse Holders contain PVC, at least one  i bought. Avoid those. 

I am afraid, you bought some cheap China-made crap.

Got them from official local reseller and it has lighthouse branding.