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Plastic Safe Deposit Boxes?

dragondragon Posts: 4,548 ✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I just took a new box at a recently opened Fifth Third Bank branch near my house, and I was surprised when she opened the little vault door for me and the safety deposit box inside was black plastic with a snap top lid.

I think I like the standard grey metal ones better.

Comments

  • yellowkidyellowkid Posts: 5,486 ✭
    image

    I don't think much of that idea....
  • saintgurusaintguru Posts: 7,727 ✭✭✭
    Yeah...I just got a second box with that plastic crap. I don't lie it at all.
    image
  • derrybderryb Posts: 37,627 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well, if you're worried about the security of a plastic box, I don't think box material will really matter after they get past the guard, into the vault and past the box's key lock. image

    No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left

  • PlacidPlacid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭
    I guess a fire is not a concern. Are they made in china?
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I just took a new box at a recently opened Fifth Third Bank branch near my house, and I was surprised when she opened the little vault door for me and the safety deposit box inside was black plastic with a snap top lid.

    I think I like the standard grey metal ones better. >>





    .........yeah, but the plastic ones are water resistant!image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,823 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I just took a new box at a recently opened Fifth Third Bank branch near my house, and I was surprised when she opened the little vault door for me and the safety deposit box inside was black plastic with a snap top lid.

    I think I like the standard grey metal ones better. >>



    What did you expect from a bank named "Fifth Third Bank"?image

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • GritsManGritsMan Posts: 2,599 ✭✭✭
    More importantly, do they contain PVC? I never thought of this until I saw your post, but it does raise a concern...
    Winner of the Coveted Devil Award June 8th, 2010
  • BBQnBLUESBBQnBLUES Posts: 1,803 ✭
    If I wanted to "safeguard" my coins in a plastic box... I'd just use my own Tupperware & bury it in the backyard !
  • 500Bay500Bay Posts: 1,108 ✭✭✭
    My safe deposit box has always been made of plastic. I have had it 10+ years.
    Finem Respice
  • ProofArtworkonCircsProofArtworkonCircs Posts: 4,223 ✭
    <<What did you expect from a bank named "Fifth Third Bank"?>>

    That is what happens when the Fifth National Bank buys out the Third National Bank. (seriously and logically).
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭


    << <i><<What did you expect from a bank named "Fifth Third Bank"?>>

    That is what happens when the Fifth National Bank buys out the Third National Bank. (seriously and logically). >>


    THey should have called it Eighth Bank.

    Seriously, as long as the box isn't PVC, what's the idffeerence what it's made of? I presume you mean the box inside the ~1 inch thick steel door?
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,278 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>More importantly, do they contain PVC? I never thought of this until I saw your post, but it does raise a concern... >>



    Why would it matter unless you have proof that PVC emits fumes?
    theknowitalltroll;
  • jhdflajhdfla Posts: 3,030 ✭✭✭
    Beige plastic at BOA. I preferred the metal ones as well, but in all honesty it really doesn't matter, it's what's inside the box that's important.
    SeatedQuarters
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,823 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>More importantly, do they contain PVC? I never thought of this until I saw your post, but it does raise a concern... >>



    Why would it matter unless you have proof that PVC emits fumes? >>



    PVC does give off fumes. Did you ever smell a new shower curtain?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,278 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>More importantly, do they contain PVC? I never thought of this until I saw your post, but it does raise a concern... >>



    Why would it matter unless you have proof that PVC emits fumes? >>



    PVC does give off fumes. Did you ever smell a new shower curtain? >>



    Thats the plasticizer used to soften the PVC and not the PVC itself. PVC would be mostly useless for SDBs. The stuff thats used for the PCGS blue boxes would be a better choice.
    theknowitalltroll;
  • tmot99tmot99 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭
    Guys, PVC is added to make plastic pliable. I highly doubt that the box is pliable. Therefore, there isn't PVC in a hard box.
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭
    I just got two additional boxes and tp my amazement they were plastic.

    These are 10x10 boxes and they hold a lot of stuff.

    A lot of Heavy Stuff!


    I'm a little concerned about box distortion when I fill one of these up and need to carry it to the "Room of Appreciation".
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,823 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Guys, PVC is added to make plastic pliable. I highly doubt that the box is pliable. Therefore, there isn't PVC in a hard box. >>



    PVC is the plastic. Manufacturers add oil to the PVC so it will be flexible rather than hard and brittle.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • carlcarl Posts: 2,054 ✭


    << <i>

    << <i><<What did you expect from a bank named "Fifth Third Bank"?>>

    That is what happens when the Fifth National Bank buys out the Third National Bank. (seriously and logically). >>


    THey should have called it Eighth Bank.

    Seriously, as long as the box isn't PVC, what's the idffeerence what it's made of? I presume you mean the box inside the ~1 inch thick steel door? >>


    Not the Eighth Bank, but the 53rd Bank or the 35th or how abaout the Fifrd Bank.
    Imagine in a small fire how nice that platic will melt into a nice blob all over your stuff protecting it for eternity.
    Carl
  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,294 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>My safe deposit box has always been made of plastic. I have had it 10+ years. >>


    Same here. Sure, the plastic doesn't have the same gravitas as metal, but unless it's unsafe for your coins, who cares? Besides, if the guy in the box to your left likes to store his rare sulfur collection and to the right is the Taco Bell napkin collector, perhaps you're better off with a tupperware SDB.
    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I just took a new box at a recently opened Fifth Third Bank branch near my house, and I was surprised when she opened the little vault door for me and the safety deposit box inside was black plastic with a snap top lid.

    I think I like the standard grey metal ones better. >>



    What did you expect from a bank named "Fifth Third Bank"?image >>



    Now PerryHall, don't pick on the 5/3rd - that is the official bank of Doran of Illinois. I had a safety deposit box from them (1 year free thanks to opening a business account). The box I got was GREY METAL! I have never heard of a bank that had plastic boxes, but there are some advantages to a plastic box - doesn't rust and probably airtight if designed right.
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 10/8/2023 - Fairfield, IL, 11/5/2023 - Urbana, IL., 12/3/2023 - Mattoon, IL.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,823 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>....but there are some advantages to a plastic box - doesn't rust and probably airtight if designed right. >>



    Has anyone ever heard of a rusty SDB?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>....but there are some advantages to a plastic box - doesn't rust and probably airtight if designed right. >>



    Has anyone ever heard of a rusty SDB? >>



    Bank vaults can be humid (because, in the case of my bank, it is in the basement) - which is why some people actually use silica gel in their boxes.
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 10/8/2023 - Fairfield, IL, 11/5/2023 - Urbana, IL., 12/3/2023 - Mattoon, IL.
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>More importantly, do they contain PVC? I never thought of this until I saw your post, but it does raise a concern... >>



    Why would it matter unless you have proof that PVC emits fumes? >>



    PVC does give off fumes. Did you ever smell a new shower curtain? >>




    ...........now wait a minute. are you sure those fumes are pvc? after all, this is in a bathroom!image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>More importantly, do they contain PVC? I never thought of this until I saw your post, but it does raise a concern... >>



    Why would it matter unless you have proof that PVC emits fumes? >>



    PVC does give off fumes. Did you ever smell a new shower curtain? >>




    ...........now wait a minute. are you sure those fumes are pvc? after all, this is in a bathroom!image >>



    Good point - but such a box would have to be rigid to be used in a vault, and PVC is soft plastic.
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 10/8/2023 - Fairfield, IL, 11/5/2023 - Urbana, IL., 12/3/2023 - Mattoon, IL.
  • saintgurusaintguru Posts: 7,727 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>My safe deposit box has always been made of plastic. I have had it 10+ years. >>


    Same here. Sure, the plastic doesn't have the same gravitas as metal, but unless it's unsafe for your coins, who cares? Besides, if the guy in the box to your left likes to store his rare sulfur collection and to the right is the Taco Bell napkin collector, perhaps you're better off with a tupperware SDB. >>



    image

    this is indeed a classic!!
    image
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    With the metal safety deposit boxes, I can squeeze in 16 of the new NGC silver boxes. Without the little give from the metal, I doubt it would work, probably stuck with only 14.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • ProofArtworkonCircsProofArtworkonCircs Posts: 4,223 ✭
    <<Not the Eighth Bank, but the 53rd Bank or the 35th or how abaout the Fifrd Bank>>

    Actually I have an about 1917 reference book that refers to it as the Fifty-third National Bank.

    I looked up its history in the Hickman-Oakes book 2nd edition and it understates its note issues when it was a national bank. (First edition was correct). It issued notes from 1908-1927 but replaced its charter number of 2798 with charter number 20 in 1913. I think that caused the bank serial numbers to restart with 1. It issued sheets of 4 $5 notes, sheets numbered from 1-110,000 and again 1-79,150 in date back and 79151-278994 in plain back.
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Well, if you're worried about the security of a plastic box, I don't think box material will really matter after they get past the guard, into the vault and past the box's key lock. image >>

    I would be more concerned about the gases it might produce and its ability to withstand fire than about the security.
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Well, if you're worried about the security of a plastic box, I don't think box material will really matter after they get past the guard, into the vault and past the box's key lock. image >>

    I would be more concerned about the gases it might produce and its ability to withstand fire than about the security. >>



    Looking at most bank vaults in one story buildings, what are the chances that a fire happens inside the vault and what are the chances that it gets hot enough outside the vault to affect the contents inside the vault?
  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    When the big earthquake happens, there will be a firestorm and those vaults will become ovens that cannot be opened for days afterwards until they cool down.

    This is what happened in San Francisco in 1906.

    With plastic boxes, I fear the contents will all be in one giant melted blob. I wonder how the glob will be divided up?
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,278 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Well, if you're worried about the security of a plastic box, I don't think box material will really matter after they get past the guard, into the vault and past the box's key lock. image >>

    I would be more concerned about the gases it might produce and its ability to withstand fire than about the security. >>



    Looking at most bank vaults in one story buildings, what are the chances that a fire happens inside the vault and what are the chances that it gets hot enough outside the vault to affect the contents inside the vault? >>



    I guess if you have your coins in PCGS plastic the heat will reform them into airtites. So does it really matter if the SDB is plastic?
    theknowitalltroll;
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    Mine is made of plastic, and honestly I never gave it much thought. Now you have me thinking...
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    I had heard the Fifth-Third name originates from a location at Fifth and Third streets in Cincinnati -- but not for sure on that.

    Happy to say my bank is metal boxes and I prefer that as well!
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    Nope, it was indeed the merger of Fifth Nat'l bank and Third Nat'l. image
  • CameonutCameonut Posts: 7,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have had both plastic and metal over the years. I far prefer the metal (especially in the larger sizes) as it handles the weight of coins and precious metals far better.

    I believe the plastic ones are made of polyethylene not polyvinylchloride (PVC). I have never seen a problem with PVC with any of my coins stored in a plastic SD Box.

    But I do put small packets of silica gel to absorb any excess humidity - they last about a year before they have to be recharged. And I use the Intercept Shield track boxes to hold my slabs. They fit nicely into the SD boxes.

    “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

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  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,278 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>More importantly, do they contain PVC? I never thought of this until I saw your post, but it does raise a concern... >>



    Why would it matter unless you have proof that PVC emits fumes? >>



    PVC does give off fumes. Did you ever smell a new shower curtain? >>




    ...........now wait a minute. are you sure those fumes are pvc? after all, this is in a bathroom!image >>



    Good point - but such a box would have to be rigid to be used in a vault, and PVC is soft plastic. >>



    Not so fast my friend. Is vinyl siding for your house soft?
    theknowitalltroll;

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