Will copper turn from Red to Red Brown in slabs?

stinkinlincoln

I read here in a thread that PCGS will buy back coins that turn in their holders.

Does the plastic keep the copper from turning?


If so, does anyone know how?

Bochiman

It may retard the process but it doesn't fully stop it.....
The environment you store your coins in is very important.....

doh

Yes it will.

ThePennyLady

Absolutely. Turning brown is a natural process for copper coins and the slab doesn't prevent copper from toning. How soon it tones will depend on how the coin is stored. If you can keep your coins in a dark dry environment, it will slow the toning process. Usually, many of the old red copper coins you see now, if they are original natural red, have been kept in rolls or stored so they barely ever saw the light of day.

MikeInFL

<< <i> Does the plastic keep the copper from turning? >>


No, but it helps.




<< <i>If so, does anyone know how? >>


Slabs limit (but not stop) the exchange of atmospheric gasses. It is these gasses (along with touching/wear) that typically cause copper to tone.

RedHerring

I have many PCGS slabbed RD Lincoln wheats that would go RB today if re-submitted. I'm certain they had a whole lot more RD in them 5 or 10 years ago (when slabbed). So yes, they will turn in the slab.

This is a good reason not to buy NGC RD coins. They only guarantee the coin's color for 10 years.

MPLunatic

I like to use the intercept shield lined slab holders for my copper. It seems to do the trick

stinkinlincoln

Thanks all for responding.


<<I have many PCGS slabbed RD Lincoln wheats that would go RB today if re-submitted. I'm certain they had a whole lot more RD in them 5 or 10 years ago (when slabbed). So yes, they will turn in the slab.

This is a good reason not to buy NGC RD coins. They only guarantee the coin's color for 10 years. >>

This is sort of what I was trying to get at, if the coins turn in PCGS, just as NGC plastic, but the buy back is different, whats the difference then? If your coins turned in 5-10years in PCGS plastic, do you intent to have PCGS buy them?

If not, what does the buy back really there for?

ambro51

I have all my Lincolns in the safe deposit box at the bank. All the slabs were wrapped with aluminum foil, with the seams sealed with archival acid free tape. Following Stewart Blay's advice...Ive packed all the dessicant packages I can fit in there with the coins.

Dry, Dark, Dessicated and Sealed from Air......thats the best I can do.

Not a fun way to keep a collection eh? If it weren't for all the images here on the hard drive....all I would know of the conis now would be in my foggy memory.

Getting sort of fed up with my lack of trust in the color designations PCGS applies to copper, and the questions about originality of the color...thats one of the reasons that Im moving more and more into Gold.

Also, when I see RD and RB listed at higher prices...yet I see a premium for BROWN at times.....too screwy. just too screwy.

PerryHall

Slabs are not air tight. As the barometric pressure goes up, air enters the slab and when the barometric pressure goes down, air leaves the slab.

ambro51

That is correct.


foil, with the seams well and strongly taped shut.....that is airtignt. I know, I wrapped my little grand daughters pet hamster in foil and archival tape....and indeed, it was airtight.

dorkkarl

<< <i>Does the plastic keep the copper from turning? >>

answer is simply: no

K S

EagleEye

The best way to keep original red coins red is to store them in a dry environment. If you seal the slab you may be locking in moisture that will condense and cause spots. Best to let them breath in a larger zip lock bag with a desiccant like silica gel. Don't put them in the sun and check them for spotting from time to time.

For coins that are not original, they will likely change back to Red-Brown regardless.

Just because a Red-Brown coin is in a Red holder does not necessarily mean it changed in its holder - it may have been a mistake to begin with. I have been amazed at newly graded coins I get offered that got a RD designation that were blatantly not Red.


::: sitting at the airport....... again :::

PerryHall

<< <i>.....and check them for spotting from time to time. >>



What good does that do? If you have a slabbed coin that's starting to spot, what can you do about it other than send it back for a grade review?

coolest

I put a few shinny new cents in with my collector coins.

The exposed copper will react first with any oxidizing agents.

This is the idea behind the Intercept Shields.

tahoe98

<< <i>I have all my Lincolns in the safe deposit box at the bank. All the slabs were wrapped with aluminum foil, with the seams sealed with archival acid free tape. Following Stewart Blay's advice...Ive packed all the dessicant packages I can fit in there with the coins.

Dry, Dark, Dessicated and Sealed from Air......thats the best I can do.

Not a fun way to keep a collection eh? If it weren't for all the images here on the hard drive....all I would know of the conis now would be in my foggy memory.

Getting sort of fed up with my lack of trust in the color designations PCGS applies to copper, and the questions about originality of the color...thats one of the reasons that Im moving more and more into Gold.

Also, when I see RD and RB listed at higher prices...yet I see a premium for BROWN at times.....too screwy. just too screwy. >>




.........it must be hell whenever you want to view or show them to someone.

BillJones

Old copper and turn from red to brown any time, but you have a better chance of holding the color if you store it in a dry place under consistent temperatures. It also helps of the coin is a "natural red" and not a chemical red. Chemical red coins are usually unstable and often trun back to the brown color after a year or so.

I don't like red copper and rarely buy it. BUT when I am buying copper I look for older holders and "a look" that appears natural to me. "The look" is had to describe, but you learn to spot after you have been a collector for a number years, and have a "decent eye."