"Flood Coins"??
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lkenefic
Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭
Hey Everyone
I've read through quite a number of threads on this Forum concerning whether or not coins have "turned" in their holders, and how that process could have occurred. Improper storage seems to be a recurring theme. I can understand how high heat may be involved with plastics "gassing off" for coins left in un-airconditioned storage facilities, but what about floods?
I'm going to digress for a moment and talk about "flood cars"... I think I might have been sold one some years ago. Everything seemed to be OK for the first few months I owned the vehicle, but then I began having odd and intermittent electrical issues. It was particularly maddening since my trusted mechanic couldn't solve the issue and I ultimately ended up selling the car. One of the reasons that was floated (pardon the pun) was that the car may have been a "flood car" from TX. Without ripping out the wiring harness of the car to see if there were any issues (time consuming and expensive) there was no easy way to diagnose the issue and we had already addressed everything else. As it was put to me, water can enter the most miniscule space and start corroding metal. This may take several years to occur... sound familiar?
Back to coins... I've seen numerous news reports of flooded basements in houses, etc. I'm sure that not all TPG holders are created equally, but is there the potential for micro-gaps in the holder where the seal isn't continuous? In addition to water, add in high heat and potential residue from a previous chemical treatment and you have the perfect storm for corrosion.
Thoughts?
OK... I'll get back to work and stop obsessing...
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Comments
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we have seen heat "alter" the gaskets, we've seen fires that didn't destroy the holders, alter the contents, i gotta believe that condensation or whatever can form in the holders in extreme situations. since the world is in flux, there are millions of slabbed coins, only stands to reason that a small percentage will be affected by extreme conditions and that is not even considering what may be on the surfaces not easily visible to the eye before going into the holders and/or what is visible but missed.
100% unsealed holders, i have to believe are an extreme minority from my experience but i've never submerged holders to see if bubbles come out fwiw or leave them submerged to see if they take on any water.
those that want to protect small fortunes are probably better to obsess to protect their assets. we've seen enough here to know, these are living collections and they need be cared for, just like comics, cards etc.
everything is in a state of entropy, no?
Slabs are not completely airtight. If the barometric pressure rises, air will enter the slab and if the barometric pressure drops, air will leave the slab. Over time, the air in the slab is constantly changing. This air includes humidity and pollutants, especially if you live in an industrial area or in an urban area.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Slabs are not perfect, hermetic seals, generally. When I worked in the semi-conductor industry, we had to have hermetically sealed packaging - and expensive equipment to achieve it, and even more equipment to test it. Ergo, extreme environmental conditions can - and will - have an effect on the slab/contents. Most, of course, will never experience such conditions. Cheers, RickO
Larry Briggs did an involved study/test on the permeability of slabs when he created the SEGS slab. His was by far less permeable but not 100%.
I protect my slabs as if they were raw coins.
.......and when there's a flood coming? I leave the wife, kids, dog and car and get the coins out!! 😂 😂
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
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that's why there are life vests and inflatable boats, right?
for the little kids, also, get them those little arm ones too!
Other options, don’t live close to the water or in flood plains. My house is a little over 800 ft above sea level and on top of a hill. The area drains well. If my house was to flood over half of Texas is probably under water.
Slabs over time will go bad in the holder (non airtight). Exposure to the atmosphere, heat coin preservation 101. People here seem very ignorant, naive to this. RCI one needs quick turnover otherwise risk above increases.
Remember tarnish takes its toll and only so many will buy the toning game.
Our hosts offered - at one time - a water-tight slab. I don't know if it's still offered. That was the only one on the market.
No slabs are air-tight.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")