Whether you house your banknotes in a loose-leaf binder, or in individual plastic sleeves, index-card fasion, you may consider it wise to give those specail extra valuable notes some extra protection. One thing you can do to this end, is obtain some of the stiff, clear mylar sleeves that dealers often use. What you can do is take one of these and carefully cut it down in size so that it is just a few millimeters bigger than the banknote. A guillotine is ideal tool for this porpose. You can then slip the note inside, and then place the enclosed note into your album page or filing sleeve. The Mylar cover will protect the note if it is removed fro the album, because the sleeve can remain in place, protecting the note. It will then be well-protected against clumsy hands, greasy fingers and even someone sneezing over it after taking a sip of coffee! Yes, it happens! All valuable collectable banknotes should be handled as little as possible with the uncovered hand - especially if they are in "unc" (uncirculated) condition. The tiny amounts of oil and dirt that pass onto a note each time it is handled unprotected may not be noticeable to the naked eye, but they are cumulative. Sooner or later, that "unc" note can no longer be considered "unc"!

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