How to Protect Your Disney Dollars
If you collect ungraded Disney Dollars, you’ll want to keep them in the best condition possible. There are two major storage considerations – the environment and the currency holder.
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For long-term storage, Disney Dollars should not be exposed to continuous light or changes in temperature. Store them in low humidity where the temperature remains close to 72°F. In many locations, a drawer or a closet may be fine – but protect them so that they can’t get bumped by other objects.
It may be tempting to store Disney Dollars in a fireproof safe, but fireproof safes absorb moisture, creating a humid environment within the safe. Humidity can cause mildew damage and the eventual destruction of your valuable collection. To counteract this problem, some people recommend putting silica gel packs inside the safe. I can’t vouch for this, so please do additional research before using a fireproof safe to preserve your Disney Dollars. The choice of holder for your Disney Dollars is as important as the choice of environment. Disney Dollars are often sold or given in Disney Dollar paper envelopes. This is a poor holder choice. The corners of your Disney Dollars will become rounded over time, decreasing their value significantly. Just removing a note once and putting it back in a Disney Dollar envelope can damage the corners unless you are extremely careful. There are several transparent currency holder options for storing your Disney Dollars. To preserve your collection, use Mylar® (polyester) holders. Mylar® is a registered trademark of DuPont Teijin Films for its brand of polyester film. Mylar® is used for many things, from meat packing to medical face shields to currency holders. So why choose polyester over plastic? After all, plastic can be much sturdier than polyester and comes in many different thicknesses. The problem is that plastic holders contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Plastic holders degrade over time, emitting PVC gasses that can harm your collection. Polyester, on the other hand, is completely inert, which means no emissions, making them very safe for long-term storage. When you purchase graded Disney Dollars, they are in a “museum quality” holder, which means they are made from polyester and/or other inert materials. Disney Dollars are slightly larger than United States currency, so it is a good idea to buy currency holders for larger bills. They may take up a bit more room, but it will be easier to insert the notes in their holders without accidentally damaging them. I purchase holders that are 3.5" tall and at least 7" wide. For ease of use, I prefer top loading holders. In summary, store your Disney Dollars in a moderate and dry environment, be wary of fireproof safes, and use Mylar® (polyester) currency holders. These simple steps will help ensure that your Disney Dollars remain as beautiful as the day you got them. ~Kath |