Safe FEEDBACK!!

marcmoish

I posted in the US FORUM but thought some of us here can shed any feedback or comments on the AMSEC safes (AMerican Security) for home use. I'm looking at the BF series (burglary & fire) like 400lbs any info would help.



Marc

here a link to what I'm reffering to....Text

coolkarma

I'm not sure I can be of much help, but I can offer some more questions to consider. Most fire safes are designed to protect papers and are rated to keep the interior less than 350F. This is fine for paper, but is it fine for coins, and in particular for coins in plastic slabs? Will the plastic melt? Will the coins acquire some toning, very quickly (I'll not ask whether this would be AT or NT)? I don't know the answer to any of these questions. Perhaps PCGS could help with the melting temperature of their slabs?

To store media such as CDs, magnetic tapes, etc., "media safes" or "data safes" are designed to keep the interior temperature less than 125F. Although they are more expensive, they might offer a higher level of protection for coins and slabs. For your consideration.

CoolKarma

supercoin

I use an AMSEC gun safe and have been happy with it, though it's never suffered a fire or burglarly, so who knows.

Previously I had a non-gun-safe and the fire resistant filling they used in that exuded moisture. I go with the theory that what's good for guns is good for coins. I'd question AMSEC carefully before buying one of the ones on the page you linked to make sure it's not moist or chemically active.

Unfortunately I think that the inert dry fire-resistant safes do not provide the same degree of fire protection as others. But if you live in a typical residential neighborhood the fire dept should put out a fire before your coins cook too long.

The other good thing about a gun safe is they are pretty huge, good space/dollar compared to other high quality safes. Lots of room for coins and other valuables. I removed the gun rack stuff from mine and fashioned full-width shelves to fit on adjustable shelving tracks (that came installed) and it holds a bunch. The sheer size also makes it very difficult to remove from the premises even if you don't bolt it down.

I also use and recommend adding a Mas-Hamilton electronic lock... much more convenient than a manual dial and it is very high quality. It comes with a built in electrical generator so no batteries to wear out at inconvenient times.

Cocoinut

<< <i> Will the plastic melt? .... Perhaps PCGS could help with the melting temperature of their slabs? >>



I found out by accident that PCGS slabs will melt at a relatively low temperature. Last winter, I had some coins home to be photographed, and had a stack of them on the desk. I knocked the stack down, and a couple fell onto the electric baseboard behind the desk. I waited about 10-15 minutes until I was through photographing the other coins before I retrieved the ones that had fallen. Both had experienced some degree of melting, especially the inner ring holding the coins, and the clear, round plastic window, Fortunately, the coins themselves don't appear to have suffered any harm or discoloration, but I need to have them reholdered. So I think a sustained temperature of 350 degrees would be enough to turn slabs into a pile of melted plastic. I doubt that most safes would offer adequate protection to prevent melting of slabs.

Jim

Robgetty

I haven't had any problems with my safe; I put silica gel packs in to mitigate moisture concerns, and
while I have a 2 hour fire rating, I agree that the slabs probably wouldn't last 2 hours. However, I
am primarily concerned with theft, and I do have a fire hydrant in my front yard so MAYBE the fire would
get put out quickly enough!

marcmoish

oh great - now I'm totally leary of doing anything short of keeping them in the freezer in my sub zero fridge.


so many ways to look at it all ..... thanks all!




Marc

supercoin

For a fireproof safe, you could also look into something called a "Goldenrod" or similar name... it's a golden cylinder thing that you plug it in through a small hole in your safe (buy a safe that has a hole for this purpose). It keeps the temperature of the interior slightly warmer than the exterior, intended to prevent condensation. I don't know if it does much for the relative humidity level though.

With the safe I had moisture problems with, I used several rechargable silica packs (in a relatively small safe), but it was hopeless. It may have just been an extreme case. I don't remember the brand name, it wasn't a total el-cheapo but it wasn't an AMSEC either.