When compared to precious metals, currency is extremely fragile. It can be torn easily, is vulnerable to liquid and moisture and burns readily. Therefore, protecting your currency collection requires care, common sense and a bit of knowledge. This will ensure that it stands the test of time while maintaining its collection value.

Always Keep the Bills as Flat as Possible

Under no circumstances should bills, especially those reserved for collection, be bent or folded in any way. Wrinkles in the bills will reduce their collection value and will make them more prone to wear or tearing. When storing bills make sure they are as flat as possible and remain that way when being handled or transported.

Store the Bills in a Dark Place

When storing your currency, the darker the location, the better.  Although light doesn’t have much of an effect on precious metals, it can do serious damage to currency over time, causing the images to fade. Additionally, storing your currency in well-lit areas makes it easier for potential thieves to find and steal it.

Avoid Touching the Bills with Your Bare Hands

The hands are one of the dirtiest areas of the body, and they tend to be oily. Handling currency barehanded exposes it to this oil, as well as any other dirt and grime which are present. Overtime this will cause the currency to wear out, so it is best to use fresh cotton gloves when handling it. If you must handle currency barehanded, be sure to grab it only by the edges.

Handle the Bills Gently and Protect them from the Elements

Currency is vulnerable to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, as well as to contaminants which are present in the air. These contaminants can react adversely to compounds within the currency to gradually degrade them. Due to its fragility currency should always be handled carefully. When it is handled roughly it is subject to tears, creases or wrinkles, all of which significantly lower its collection value. Some see the need to bury their currency and if you go this route you must exercise extreme caution as the bills will rapidly deteriorate if it isn’t done properly. When burying currency it should be stored in containers which are preferably airtight, resistant to water and moisture, and which are non-biodegradable.

The Best Product for Storing Currency

The best product you can buy to protect your currency is a currency holder. They come in styles which are similar to coin holders. Glassine envelopes are normally used by stamp collections but are also effective in protecting currency. When storing bills of an unusually high value, it is best to purchase a PVC clear bill holder. They are superb for storing currency over the long term and they can hold bills that come in many different sizes. They will typically open long ways for ease of access. Safely storing currency entails more than precious metals but it brings greater diversity to your portfolio and ensures that your high value bills maintain their value for many years to come.