He asked very innocently: Hey, what's up with the pcgs boxes?
RegistryCoin
Posts: 5,117 ✭✭✭✭
I've read about the "life" of the materials in the box, and how they may give gasses, etc., off and devalue our coins. I love the box they sent me (after I bought three), but hey, I like the brass plate on the top with my name (Thank you, BJ, et al.). Anyway, are these good for coins or not, plain and simple question??? I know that they are, at least, fairly good for the vitolas cubanas. Is there more? 
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<< <i>I've read about the "life" of the materials in the box, and how they may give gasses, etc., off and devalue our coins. I love the box they sent me (after I bought three), but hey, I like the brass plate on the top with my name (Thank you, BJ, et al.). Anyway, are these good for coins or not, plain and simple question??? I know that they are, at least, fairly good for the vitolas cubanas. Is there more?
I Agree that the boxes are nice, however, i would not store coins in them. Wood releases gasses that damage coins !! This can be seen in some of the coins stored in old coin cabinets.
Thanks again.
<< <i>From Redlines conversation with Mr. David Scott, Head Curator of Metals at the Getty Conservation Institute "If you want to display your (metal) cars, do not, I repeat DO NOT, display them in wooden display cases, especially ones with unpainted/unvarnished surfaces. Doesn’t matter what kind of wood — just don’t do it. If you currently have cars in such a case, I highly recommend you remove them AT ONCE. The organic acids from the wood will really eat away at the cars, particularly if the case closes fairly airtight. >>
Hi there,
What a well titled post
I saw your post and thought you might be interested in some information about storing metal/coins in wood boxes I have been posting since around the time the PCGS wood boxes were issued. I love coins, have been involved in various areas of conservation for 18 years or so and know from related experience that wood can cause "toning" on metal - I think it will be shown to be a matter of how much - not if. Slabs are not hermetically sealed and will be exposed to the outgassing or various organic acids and other harmful fumes from the wood itself, the adhesives used in construction and even the fabric can be harmful - especially if in an uncontrolled or concentrated environment such as a deposit box. How well the newer slabs will hold out against the incursion of acidic fumes is unknown, but that they are not airtight is known. Wood is, in short, not the best choice. The display cases made by member SOLID are great IMHO because they are open displays - and they do suggest you do not store the wooden part in a safe or deposit box - just the aluminum tray (anodized aluminum is the material of choice for long term storage). At least 1 person concerned about this who contacted PCGS has already been offered a refund for his PCGS wooden boxes as "there will be no short term answer", and I heard from Mr. Hall that accelerated testing would take a month or two and we will be made aware of the results - unfortunately it seems they were not subjected to testing pior to marketing and a barrage of posts/questions from concerned Forum Members. There are also a few questions in the Q+A about this topic from myself and another. Several people have also made excellent posts - Frattlaw showed with pics what I was writing about - slabs do not provide complete protection in the presence of acetic acid - which is found in wood - especially oak which the PCGS boxes seem to made out of. Oak emits up to 5% of its weight in acetic acid. MrSpud has written excellent posts about the chemical aspects of toning as well as raising awareness of the book Coin Chemistry by W. White. As I said in an earlier post - even if storage in wood is said to be 90% safe with 90% certainty, why risk a collection that has taken time, effort and money to assemble? Because the boxes are pretty is not enough reason for me anymore. And, NO ONE has yet posted any BENEFITS at all of storage coins in wood to my knowledge This is as true today (Nov 11) as it was when I wrote this quite some time ago.
Best,
Billy, of anti-wood infamy
CARING FOR YOUR METAL OBJECTS
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works
Prepared by Julie A. Reilly with assistance from David Harvey and Julie Lauffenburger, 2001.
"The characteristic tarnish on silver is black silver sulfide. Acidic gasses from wooden cabinets and cases can also cause metal corrosion. Vapors produced by plywood and other products that off-gas formaldehyde cause lead alloys and other metals to corrode, forming wispy white crystals often confused with mold growth. Keeping metal objects in a clean, dry, safe environment can prevent deterioration from environmental sources."
"Metals, in general, should be stored with inert storage materials. For example, metal cabinets and shelving should be used rather than wood cabinets and shelving. As discussed earlier, many woods and wood products, like plywood, emit acids and other gasses that cause metals to corrode. Acidic newsprint and cardboard boxes should be avoided. Acid-free, lignin-free wrapping paper and boxes are better. Clean, soft cotton cloth can also be used."
and:
Link to Data - if this doesnt convice you there is potential for harm from wood boxes nothing will
"Original" Wood Post (sent to Mr. Hall Aug 5th, responded Sept. 14th....just 3 days after my ORIGINAL Poll (below) closed where 78.79% voted "wood has the potential to harm coins")
Original PCGS Wood Poll Thread (more data)
Link To Another Wood Thread
you are welcome. As there seems to be no word coming from PCGS about these wood boxes for a while anyway, some have started to return them for refunds. It has been noted that they still continue to offer them for sale despite thier unknown status (at least). The question has also been raised - if proven potentially harmful, will everyone who bought one be notified? And finally, a most astute point made by someone following this from the very beginning and been turned off by the whole wood thing and the marketing nonsense - spend the $$ from the box on more coins! Who could argue that (except a spouse
Best,
Billy, of anti-Wood-infamy