Coin Supply Express

The first part of this article focused on Air-Tite Holders in general. This part will explain specific sizes.

WHAT MAKES PURCHASING AIR-TITES SO CONFUSING?
Air-Tites are actually pretty easy to understand. The problem is that most companies go right for the sale which means that you get a huge list of products but very little or confusing information. It is usually quite difficult to determine what size you need for your prized 1837 dime (note that you’ll a 19mm for 1796 to 1837 dimes instead of the 18mm used for all other dimes).

Some companies, including Air-Tite, do publish Sizing Charts but you still need to pay close attention to the various sizes available for specific coins. Coin Supply Express also provides several excellent charts with direct links from coins and sizes to the item that you will need to purchase.

AIR-TITE HOLDERS WITH RINGS MODELS AND SIZES
The basics of the Air-Tite holder with rings system are that there are just six plastic capsule models – A, T, H, I, X & Y – and each model holds a range of ring sizes. The outside diameter of the rings for a particular model are all the same size and fit to the inside diameter of the plastic case. It is the inside die cut of each ring that separates one size holder from the next. Remember, it is the ring that holds the coin and it is the combination of the ring and the coin that fill the space of the capsule. In other words, all of the rings for model A have an outside diameter of 28.85mm but the center circles range from 10mm to 19mm across. The border created by the ring will be larger for a 10mm coin than for a 19mm coin and will have a range in width between the coin and capsule from 9.425mm to 4.925mm, respectively. Note that larger coins have smaller borders because they take up more space in the capsule.

What makes Air-Tites most confusing is the fact that the particular model usually doesn’t matter unless you’re buying bulk packs which is explained in the last section. If you have a 25mm coin you have no other choice but to use a model T because model A only goes up to 19mm and Model H starts at 26mm. But, there are 6 ring sizes for model T, each available with black or white rings for a total of 12 different model T capsules that you would need to choose from.

Unless you are purchasing in bulk, the easiest way to search for Air-Tites holders with rings is to ignore the model and search by coin size since the only time that there appears to be a crossover in Air-Tite sizes is with a 39mm coin which is available in two depths (thicknesses). However, because this is written for the purpose of making you an expert in regard to Air-Tite holders the model specifics are outline below:

Air-Tite Model A – fits coin diameters 10mm – 19mm
MSRP - $0.95 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.018” (28.85mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 1.218” (30.93mm)
Capsule Depth 0.062” (1.57mm)

Air-Tite Model T – fits coin diameters 20mm – 25mm
MSRP - $0.99 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.237” (31.41mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 1.437” (34.49mm)
Capsule Depth 0.08” (2.03mm)

Air-Tite Model H – fits coin diameters 26mm – 32mm
MSRP - $1.05 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.55” (39.37mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 1.75” (44.45mm)
Capsule Depth 0.125” (3.17mm)

Air-Tite Model I – fits coin diameters 33mm – 42mm
MSRP - $1.09 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.818” (46.17mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.031” (51.58mm)
Capsule Depth 0.115” (2.92mm)

Air-Tite Model X – fits coin diameters 39mm, 43mm & 44mm
MSRP - $1.29 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.875” (47.63mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)

Air-Tite Model Y – fits coin diameters 47mm & 50.8mm
MSRP - $1.89 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 2.559” (65mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.81” (71.37mm)
Capsule Depth 0.216” (5.48mm)

AIR-TITE DIRECT FIT HOLDERS MODELS AND SIZES
Direct Fit holders are based on the same concept as holders with rings. There are 7 models but instead of sizing rings each model has several sub-models that are molded to perfectly contain a specific mint condition coin. The ordering number for the type of Direct Fit that you need is a combination of the model and size. For example, A16 is model A in 16mm. Again, the models are basically irrelevant to you as a collector. While you can memorize the fact that an Air-Tite Direct Fit US Half Dollar (excluding years 1794-1836) is a model T all you really need to know is that you need Air-Tite item T30 to encase your coin. To make it even more simple, you can search websites for Air-Tite 30mm and you should be shown a black and a white holder with rings along with the T30 direct fit from which you can make your purchase selection.

One important difference between Direct Fit and Holders with Rings - Direct Fit holders have also been molded to hold silver bars and other round sizes.

You can refer to the sizing chart at the Air-Tite Holders web site for the correct direct fit sizes for your coin collection. You can also find this same information in several charts at Coin Supply Express.

Air-Tite Direct Fit Model A
MSRP - $0.89 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
A16 - American Eagle 1/10oz Gold or Platinum
A18 - US Dime
A19 - US Small Cent
A21 - US Nickel
A22 - American Eagle 1/4oz Gold or Platinum
A24 - US Quarter
A26 - US SBA, Sacagawea & Presidential Dollar

Air-Tite Direct Fit Model T
MSRP - $0.95 (on January 14, 2009)
T30 – US Half Dollar

Air-Tite Direct Fit Model H
MSRP - $0.89 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
H27 - American Eagle 1/2oz Gold or Platinum
H32 - American Eagle 1oz Gold or Platinum & Buffalo $50 Gold
H38 - Us Dollar (Morgan, Peace, Trade, Eisenhower)
H39 - 1oz Silver Round
H40 - American Eagle Silver Dollar

Air-Tite Direct Fit Model BAR
MSRP - $1.19 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
BAR – 1oz Silver Bar
Capsule Inside Dimensions – 1.158”x 2.0” (29.41mm x 50.8mm)
Capsule Outside Dimensions – 1.357”x 2.197” (34.46mm x 55.8mm)
Capsule Depth – 0.098” (2.49mm)

Model X
MSRP - $1.19 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
X3 – Uncommon 2oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.855” (47.12mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)

X6 – Common 2oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.875” (47.63mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)

X43.6 – Casino $10 Silver Strike
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.716” (43.6mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)

X1.75 – Uncommon 2oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.75” (44.5mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)

Model Y
MSRP - $1.75 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
Y63 – Uncommon 5oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 2.48” (63.00mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.81” (71.37mm)
Capsule Depth 0.216” (5.48mm)

Y63 – Uncommon 5oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 2.48” (63.00mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.81” (71.37mm)
Capsule Depth 0.216” (5.48mm)

Model Z
MSRP - $1.99 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
Z5 – Uncommon 3inch 5oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 3.024” (76.8mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 3.264” (82.91mm)
Capsule Depth 0.151” (3.84mm)

Z10 – 3inch 10oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 3.024” (76.8mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 3.264” (82.91mm)
Capsule Depth 0.286” (7.26mm)

The next part will conclude with purchasing Air-Tite Coin Holders.