The Kointain, a two-piece capsule for coins, was invented in the late 1940s by Dr. Francis Epps. After researching all the known methods of numismatic storage, Dr. Epps concluded that none were satisfactory. He employed the services of a research chemist and designed a new type of coin holder that used a safe and impervious plastic. Kointains are convex so as to touch the coin only on its edges. Held at arm's length, a coin in a Kointain does not appear to be in any holder at all! Kointains are used by the Smithsonian Institution for the National Numismatic Collection and by the American Numismatic Association for the ANA Money Museum. Today, Kointains are produced and packaged by E & T Kointainer Co. under strict conditions to prevent contamination by dust, oil and grease.