Are old intercept shield slab boxes ok to still use?
Mr_Spud
Posts: 6,177 ✭✭✭✭✭
I recently visited my safety deposit box in a bank where I store my slabbed coins, most are in those intercept shield boxes that have the individual single slab boxes that go into a box of 10. They have been there for over 12 years and some of the intercept shield boxes are even older than that. One of the intercept shield boxes is still white and the inner lining looks normal, but the others have turned yellowish and the inner liner is all wrinkled and seems to have sort of unattached itself from the box a bit. The inner smaller slab boxes are yellowish too. I went ahead and bought some new intercept shield boxes to replace the older ones, but I’m wondering if I can still use the old ones for anything. Like maybe for less valuable slabbed coins or ones made out of gold or platinum that are less reactive, maybe even just stuff raw coins in safeflips into them or something like that. Is there any danger in doing so? What are your thoughts? Thanks, in advance, for any replies.
Mr_Spud
Comments
Sounds like time to replace. I think they claim a 10 year life span if I remember correctly.
When I replaced mine I used the old smaller boxes to ship with. I'd put the coin in the little box then tape it to the inside of a Priority Mail shipping box. It was secure and QUIET! It felt and sounded like the box was empty.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
At the very least they are good for keeping your slabs from being scratched up.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I hope that you will not mind a follow-up question.
Basis - I have used Intercept products for years. Started with Intercept Shield. When I could no longer locate these items for purchase, switched to Lighthouse.
I have never experienced the issues that you report (i.e., box yellowing, liner wrinkling, and liner separation). (NOT questioning your account. Just saying that my experience has been different.)
Question - Any thoughts about what caused these issues? For example, do you think it was moisture related?
What makes the Interecept Shield boxes work is the sacrificial anode: a strip of medal that corrodes and keeps the moisture from causing the coins to corrode. [Same principle applies to hot water heaters.] The 10 year lifetime is the lifetime of the metal strip, although this may vary based on temperature and moisture.
Once the metal strip has sacrificed itself for the greater good, you have a regular old box. A perfectly good box, but not an "intercept" box.
Use it as you will.
@jmlanzaf is correct... The boxes can still be used for storage, shipment etc., it just has lost the intercept property. Cheers, RickO
Is the metal anode visible for signs of degradation? Peace Roy
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The Intercept film is visible.
Quote:
"Can I tell when the effectiveness of the INTERCEPT® film has worn off?
Yes. When the potential of the INTERCEPT® film has been exhausted, the film will turn a dark grey/green colour (not the coins!). When this discolouration occurs, you should replace the INTERCEPT® product with a new one."
Source: https://www.lighthouse.us/intercept/