Plastic bags. I was only 13-18 when I bought most of my cards. I got a bunch graded in 1990 by BGS and BVG, I stupid to not use PSA back then. The challenge with cards is surface quality when I sort cards I deal them like a deck of cards and that ruins the surface. I would never rub two gold coins together, but two pieces of cardboard no big deal, until you see the grades that came back. If it wasn't for Michael Jordan cards I would have lost a lot, instead, I actually did well despite a 30-year bear market.
Using that line of thinking always go for the most collectible assets and load up, rather have a dozen 1996 1/2 than than 5 dozen 1986 1/2. The other lesson with cards is top pop is very important for cards that are hard to get in great condition. So 1992 proof 1oz or 1/4oz in PF69 will be an important coins in 10-20 years due to poor capsule choice (capsule too big caused the coin to rattle and destroy forehead).
