dumb noob questions

[nateadams2]

So i'm getting ready to graduate nursing school and am looking to start saving. These questions may seem a bit stupid to more experienced people in the currency game, but any information would be really really appreciated.

1) I am looking to get into stacking silver and gold as to keep somewhere around 20-30 percent of my retirement package centered around those two. My question about this is, do you really need to keep the bars/rounds in the plastic shrink wrap they are shipped in? Does it hurt the value if you take them out to place them in an airtight container that is available on multiple websites? I personally would prefer this as we have a safe and it would make it much easier for storage if I did not have to deal with all the different sheets.

2) Building off the first question, I remembered that my parents had gotten me a few silver eagles years ago. Me being younger I opened one of them from the plastic container that they were shipped in. The coin looks as if it has began to oxidize and has a dark tint to it. Does this really hurt the value in terms of stacking based on weight? It is still silver, just not as pretty?

3) Now for the dumb question. What coins should I be on the look out for when going through my loose change before cashing it in? As in what dates? The only one I know off the top of my head is pre 82 pennies based off copper which are worth something like 2 cents a piece? I have also heard something about wheat pennies, which I have a few of, but I'm not sure of the significance. If someone could give me a run down of what all to look for in the form of a list I would be much appreciative.

4) Building off 3. If it is illegal to melt us currency, are pennies and such actually worth keeping separate? As well as the nickels and quarters and such?