Desiccant ?

Validator

I keep my coins in several air tight plastic tubberware containers. I was thinking of put some type of desiccant in each box to help keep the moisture out. Were can I buy some silica gel pouches? Is other product you guys are using? THanks in advance for any information on where to buy some moisture control.

Kind regards.........Andrew

Russ

Ask, and ye shall receive.

Russ, NCNE

Placid

Are desiccants a good idea? This from the intercept shield site.
Opinions?

Q. I was told that Intercept is a desiccant. Is this true?

A. Intercept is not a desiccant. Desiccants are predominately clay or other hydroscopic (water loving, water absorbing) materials. They function by sponging up water in the air. Desiccants can only hold a small amount of water before becoming saturated, and they are reversible. If the temperature goes up the desiccant releases its moisture vapors. Desiccants are used heavily in the hard drive packaging industry and for packaging ceramic computer components - because ceramics absorb water readily and then literally explode when the parts go through a hot wave soldering operations. These parts are highly moisture sensitive. Coins are not.

The primary mode of corrosion / tarnishing of the metals used in coins is through atmospheric gases, not through moisture. Moisture will help accelerate corrosion; but the absence of water will not stop corrosion from happening in non-ferrous metals, since again the main method for tarnishing for these metals is atmospheric corrosion. Desiccants may initially slow down corrosion on non-ferrous metals, but it is only temporary and desiccants will actually accelerate corrosion in the case of a hot environment, such as a desert or anywhere in the Southern, Southwestern states - or any state that routinely gets over 90 in the summer. Basically desiccants are not intended to provide corrosion protection, nor will they. They are designed to remove the ambient moisture in the air in a sealed enclosure. They will remove what is there when the package is closed, but will have little ability to remove any additional moisture. Also, there is no way of nicely concealing desiccants packs in a coin holder - you would need several grams of desiccants even for a small 2x2. Several grams does not sound like a lot, but it is quite bulky. Also, when the desiccants outgas, you have no way of knowing what that desiccant pack saw when it was absorbing moisture - again you could potentially be aggravating the situation.

Russ

Interesting reading. Not sure how much of it is "massaged" in order to hype Intercept Shield's products, though.



<< <i>They are designed to remove the ambient moisture in the air in a sealed enclosure. >>



I wonder if my safe is considered a sealed enclosure? That's where I use the cannisters of silica gel. BTW, they have an indicator on them that lets you know when they're saturated. Pop them in the oven at low temp for a while, and they're good as new.

Russ, NCNE

Validator

Thanks for the link. I just placed my order.

As long as you keep and eye on them and replace/recharge when needed. I think they will work great. Good reading about the "gases". I think using the desiccant will do nothing but help the storage of coins. If not, maybe we should all store our coins in water.

Kind regards.......Andrew

stujoe

<FONT face=Times size=4>

<< <i>or any state that routinely gets over 90 in the summer. >>



I think 'massaged' is a good term. Even in Southern Illinois, it may be 90plus outside but, where my coins are, it's not 90plus.



<< <i>Moisture will help accelerate corrosion; but the absence of water will not stop corrosion from happening in non-ferrous metals >>



Duh. But if you can reduce something that will help accelerate it corrosion, why not do it.

Dessicants are cheap and easy to rejuvinate when the color indicator tells you to.

Edited becuase I am too stupid to use the Italics and bold buttons properly</FONT>

1jester

Welcome to the Boards, Validator.

Placid, where can I get more info on Intercept Shield products? Do you use them?

dpoole

1jester-

Wayner Herndon has 'em,, among others.

presleyh

Russ, how about a front brake rebuild kit for my 1970 honda 750? Is there nothing you dont have store up somewhere?

1jester

Thanks, dpoole!

Conder101

<< <i>The primary mode of corrosion / tarnishing of the metals used in coins is through atmospheric gases, not through moisture. Moisture will help accelerate corrosion; but the absence of water will not stop corrosion from happening in non-ferrous metals, since again the main method for tarnishing for these metals is atmospheric corrosion >>


But since the atmospheric corrosion it accomplished through an oxidation-reduction reaction which requires water to proceed they are wrong about the absence of water stopping the corrosion. However the desiccant can't remove ALL of the moisture from the air so all it can do is slow the reaction. But it can slow it to almost a dead stop.

stman

Anyone know how long the cannisters last. My concern is if there is one in my safe box. And it needs to be recharged and I don't get there for a while. Will it reverse and let out moisture?

thanks stman

Placid

<< <i>Anyone know how long the cannisters last. My concern is if there is one in my safe box. And it needs to be recharged and I don't get there for a while. Will it reverse and let out moisture?

thanks stman >>



Not sure, I think it depends on how humid the air is. Is the safe box air tight? If not then it won't matter that much.
Also from what is posted at the intercept shield site it sounds like even if the desiccant is not full and the temp where it is goes over 90 it will reverse anyway.

stman

Placid, thanks I'm not sure I like the idea of it reversing. I thought maybe getting a larger size than needed. Wonder if that matters?

Or it might just be another thing to worry about.

stman

Placid

I would go by if you have been storing you coins where they are now for years and they have been fine then whatever you have been doing is good.

crito

I remove them from the boxes whenever I hit the road with my coins. will reverse, even if not saturated, above a certain temp (not sure if 90 degrees is right, but I have accidentally "recharged" some in a hot car ) Conversely, it will not reverse, even if saturated, below a certain temp. The more air tight the container, the less frequently it'll need recharging. But, again, the temp is the important part. If you can't keep your coins in a cool place, don't use desiccant.

I also happen to prefer color indicating beads to canisters.



The Preservation Station