Is there is a numismatic-weatherman in the house?

ColonialCoinUnion

I went to the bank the other day and was surprised to see (actually feel) that the temperature inside of my safety deposit box was about 50 degrees.

What is the long term impact, if any, of refridgerating your coin collection? I assume it can't possibly be good.

ziggy29

I wouldn't think it's a big problem, though I'm no chemist or metallurgist. I'd be more concerned with the humidity.

airplanenut

<< <i>What is the long term impact, if any, of refridgerating your coin collection? >>

When you sell, it'll be cold, hard cash

morgannut2

Lower temperature lowers reaction times and in some cases, the point for any chemical reaction to begin. Instead, heat, humidity and sulfur compounds are the enemies of coin stability.

Russ

Cool good, heat bad.

Russ, NCNE

CharlesDarwin

A problem might arise, that if these coins at 50 degrees, are quickly exposed to air that is considerably warmer and moist (70-90) condensate is likely to form on the coin, although it may not be visible. This can be prevented, by placing the coins in a cointainer at the same temperature, then letting the cointainer with the coins in it warm up slowly.

In terms of long term storage at this temperature, I hardly see there being a problem, as long as the air is dry and not humidified.

Oxidation is the main concern with coins, and depending on the composition of the various metals, oxidation occurs more readily at higher temperatures, so cooler in this case is better.

CD

ColonialCoinUnion

So far sounds OK, but I note that it was about 25 degrees outside that day here in idyllic New England. My concern is that come July, when its 92 and humid, the same safety deposit box may well become a small toaster.

Is it time for me to get a new bank?

ziggy29

<< <i>So far sounds OK, but I note that it was about 25 degrees outside that day here in idyllic New England. My concern is that come July, when its 92 and humid, the same safety deposit box may well become a small toaster.

Is it time for me to get a new bank? >>

If it's toasty in there in July, yes.

In the meantime I'd just throw in some of those packets of dessicants that absorb moisture and replace them once in a while.

cladking

<< <i>A problem might arise, that if these coins at 50 degrees, are quickly exposed to air that is considerably warmer and moist (70-90) condensate is likely to form on the coin, although it may not be visible. This can be prevented, by placing the coins in a cointainer at the same temperature, then letting the cointainer with the coins in it warm up slowly.

In terms of long term storage at this temperature, I hardly see there being a problem, as long as the air is dry and not humidified.

Oxidation is the main concern with coins, and depending on the composition of the various metals, oxidation occurs more readily at higher temperatures, so cooler in this case is better.

CD >>



I'd be very concerned with this. If it's inconvenient or too expensive to line the box
with styrofoam or something I'd look for a new bank. This is especially true if the boxes
are in a vault which is closed at night and opened in the morning. You might talk to the
bank manager about this but there may be no alternative.

K6AZ

I'd be concerned about condensation inside the vault, especially if it is much warmer outside the vault. You may want to consider putting some of the silcia gel puches inside your box.

Barry

That's not good. The warm, moist air in the bank becomes much moister as it cools around your coins. I'd keep my coins in a bank with adequate insulation or a vault not on an outside wall.

Conder101

It could be a problem if the temperature swings widely or if you collect coins made of tin. (below 55 degrees tin starts to to change for the metallic "white" tin to the non-metallic and brittle "gray" tin.