Storing your coins. The right way and wrong way to do it.
oreville
Posts: 12,124 ✭✭✭✭✭
I would like to compile a complete list of taboo items that should NEVER be stored with your TPG graded coins.
I will finally list all items that are questionable in its safety storage wise with your slabbed coins. I would like to discuss these and get them moved to either acceptable or taboo!
I will also list all items that are acceptable items to store with your slabbed coins.
Finally, I will list all beneficial items that should be stored with your slabbed coins.
Keep in mind that I have read Susan Maltby's writings on the subject and this thread is partly a consolidation of her observations. I have also read the old mid 1960's book on coin preservation (temporarily forgot the name but will fill it in when I get home).
I will add many items as we go along. This is just the start of the list.
If you disagree please post your comments here and I will modify my list here. I may have also forgotten many items as well.
This will not apply if you only have very heavily circulated coins in the TPG slabs. Most collectors own some uncirculated coins and I believe they would like to preserve them.
TABOO ITEMS THAT SHOULD NOT BE STORED WITH YOUR TPG SLABBED COINS
01) Scotch tape,
02) Plastic wrapping tape
03) glue
04) high sulfur content paper including bank wrappers for paper rolls
05) rubber bands
06) PVC laden objects including the 2x2 PVC flips that many auction houses and coin dealers still use
07) wooden objects such as wooden pencils and wooden rulers
08) Post It Notes
09) cardboard shipping boxes (UPS. USPS, FedEx)
10) Mineral rocks and other collectibles containing or possibly containing sulfer
11) strong cleaning agents to clean the inside of the box, just use soap and water
12) gunpowder and bullets (think sulfur type chemicals)
13) newspaper
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
SUSPECT/QUESTIONABLE ITEMS TO STORE WITH YOUR TPG SLABBED COINS
01) all large paper stickers on the slabs and glue residue even when removed (Heritage-B&M-Stacks, etc)
02) all small paper stickers on the slabs and glue residue even when removed (Goldberg, etc.)
03) silica gel packets that are old and stale
04) Metal Safe that is outdated
05) bubble plastic wrap
06) writing paper
07) twist top tubes of circulated coins
08) loose toned circulated coins
09) white cardboard shipping boxes (such as the ones used by Heritage)
10) colored paper invoices by various auction houses
11) US Mint presentation boxes
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
ACCEPTABLE ITEMS TO STORE WITH YOUR TPG SLABBED COINS
01) metal boxes
02) inert TPG plastic boxes
03) loose bright uncirculated copper and silver coins - they may serve as an early warning of contaminated storage.
04) aluminum foil
05) lucite or glass casings
06) brittle vinyl 2x2 or larger flips
07) hard plastic capsules
08) twist top tubes of uncirculated coins
09)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
BENEFICIAL ITEMS TO STORE WITH YOUR TPG SLABBED COINS
01) Metal Safe that are not outdated
02) Intercept boxes
03) silica gel packets that are fresh
04)
05)
06)
07)
08)
09)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU MUST STORE YOUR COINS IN A SHED OR GARAGE
01) if al all possible, don't store this way. The humidity swings can be a big problem.
02) do not store near gasoline, gunpowder, wood, chemicals and chlorine bleach and ammonia
03) all the other taboo items mentioned above should NOT be used
04) use a dehumidifier to control swings in humidity
05) temperature swings is not a huge problem if humidity is low
06) use well sealed metal boxes even double box them if at all possible along with ample silicone gel pouches.
07) observe the condition of the coins frequently. Use bright red loose copper coins to assist you in your observation.
I will finally list all items that are questionable in its safety storage wise with your slabbed coins. I would like to discuss these and get them moved to either acceptable or taboo!
I will also list all items that are acceptable items to store with your slabbed coins.
Finally, I will list all beneficial items that should be stored with your slabbed coins.
Keep in mind that I have read Susan Maltby's writings on the subject and this thread is partly a consolidation of her observations. I have also read the old mid 1960's book on coin preservation (temporarily forgot the name but will fill it in when I get home).
I will add many items as we go along. This is just the start of the list.
If you disagree please post your comments here and I will modify my list here. I may have also forgotten many items as well.
This will not apply if you only have very heavily circulated coins in the TPG slabs. Most collectors own some uncirculated coins and I believe they would like to preserve them.
TABOO ITEMS THAT SHOULD NOT BE STORED WITH YOUR TPG SLABBED COINS
01) Scotch tape,
02) Plastic wrapping tape
03) glue
04) high sulfur content paper including bank wrappers for paper rolls
05) rubber bands
06) PVC laden objects including the 2x2 PVC flips that many auction houses and coin dealers still use
07) wooden objects such as wooden pencils and wooden rulers
08) Post It Notes
09) cardboard shipping boxes (UPS. USPS, FedEx)
10) Mineral rocks and other collectibles containing or possibly containing sulfer
11) strong cleaning agents to clean the inside of the box, just use soap and water
12) gunpowder and bullets (think sulfur type chemicals)
13) newspaper
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
SUSPECT/QUESTIONABLE ITEMS TO STORE WITH YOUR TPG SLABBED COINS
01) all large paper stickers on the slabs and glue residue even when removed (Heritage-B&M-Stacks, etc)
02) all small paper stickers on the slabs and glue residue even when removed (Goldberg, etc.)
03) silica gel packets that are old and stale
04) Metal Safe that is outdated
05) bubble plastic wrap
06) writing paper
07) twist top tubes of circulated coins
08) loose toned circulated coins
09) white cardboard shipping boxes (such as the ones used by Heritage)
10) colored paper invoices by various auction houses
11) US Mint presentation boxes
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
ACCEPTABLE ITEMS TO STORE WITH YOUR TPG SLABBED COINS
01) metal boxes
02) inert TPG plastic boxes
03) loose bright uncirculated copper and silver coins - they may serve as an early warning of contaminated storage.
04) aluminum foil
05) lucite or glass casings
06) brittle vinyl 2x2 or larger flips
07) hard plastic capsules
08) twist top tubes of uncirculated coins
09)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
BENEFICIAL ITEMS TO STORE WITH YOUR TPG SLABBED COINS
01) Metal Safe that are not outdated
02) Intercept boxes
03) silica gel packets that are fresh
04)
05)
06)
07)
08)
09)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU MUST STORE YOUR COINS IN A SHED OR GARAGE
01) if al all possible, don't store this way. The humidity swings can be a big problem.
02) do not store near gasoline, gunpowder, wood, chemicals and chlorine bleach and ammonia
03) all the other taboo items mentioned above should NOT be used
04) use a dehumidifier to control swings in humidity
05) temperature swings is not a huge problem if humidity is low
06) use well sealed metal boxes even double box them if at all possible along with ample silicone gel pouches.
07) observe the condition of the coins frequently. Use bright red loose copper coins to assist you in your observation.
A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
0
Comments
Personally I'm convinced if they are slabbed in stored in a way where there is very little movment to prevent damage to the slabbs and coins themselves. Then thats the best protection youcan hope for. I for one have most of my more valuble coins slabbed by pcgs and then stored in intercept sheild boxes. The intercept sheilds might be a tad over kill but it does help to keep them organized. IMO having them slabbed offers hands down the ultimate best long term protection and storage for your coins.
Mention was made of the practice of including either aluminum foil or pure copper to a coin vault that would serve as bait to attract any contaminants before they affected the valuable stuff.
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)
<< <i>The Longacre children and I placed the time capsule in the new shed over the weekend, so I read your "shed" list with interest. The coins that we put in there were not excessively rare (the most valuable coins were a 2009 mint set). It was fun to do, and I am looking forward to seeing the condition of the coins in 2039, the year in which we designated the time capsule to be removed from its secret location in the shed. >>
Any of the coins slabbed or are they raw?? or both?
<< <i>At our local club meeting last week we had an educational presentation on how to store your coins.
Mention was made of the practice of including either aluminum foil or pure copper to a coin vault that would serve as bait to attract any contaminants before they affected the valuable stuff. >>
So the contaminants go to the aluminum foil first? I'm serious here, but I remember the old joke "how do they know?"Is this fact or theory?
<< <i>The Longacre children and I placed the time capsule in the new shed over the weekend, so I read your "shed" list with interest. The coins that we put in there were not excessively rare (the most valuable coins were a 2009 mint set). It was fun to do, and I am looking forward to seeing the condition of the coins in 2039, the year in which we designated the time capsule to be removed from its secret location in the shed. >>
2039 is not convenient for me.
<< <i>
<< <i>The Longacre children and I placed the time capsule in the new shed over the weekend, so I read your "shed" list with interest. The coins that we put in there were not excessively rare (the most valuable coins were a 2009 mint set). It was fun to do, and I am looking forward to seeing the condition of the coins in 2039, the year in which we designated the time capsule to be removed from its secret location in the shed. >>
Any of the coins slabbed or are they raw?? or both?
Raw coins. The only one "packaged" was the mint set. There is some raw currency in there, too.
We included a bunch of pictures from the shed building party, so it will be neat to take a look at them again in 2039 and see how your very own Longacre looked as a young buck.
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)
Mention was made of the practice of including either aluminum foil or pure copper to a coin vault that would serve as bait to attract any contaminants before they affected the valuable stuff. >>
<<<<<<So the contaminants go to the aluminum foil first? I'm serious here, but I remember the old joke "how do they know?"Is this fact or theory?>>>>>
I do not subscribe to the theory that contaminants go to the aluminum foil (or copper) FIRST, however please note my comments below:
(1) If the contaminants ARE affecting the bright copper and/or aluminum then you have an early warning that the same contaminants are present and possibly affecting the TPG or even other raw coins. In this event, remediation/corrective efforts must be put in place.
(2) If the contaminants ARE affecting the bright copper and/or aluminum then it is PROBABLE that the contaminants by infecting the bright copper/aluminum coin/metals/foils now has less offending molecules in the contaminated air to infect the remainder of the coins. Whether that is material enough of a benefit can only be made by observation.
where would you put taco bell napkins?
could be in any category depending on your "intent"
<< <i> Then it would appear that the "shiny" stuff serves as a mine canary, thanks. >>
Exactly.
Allowing it to tone as "protection" for the other coins/slabs would seem to be the wrong approach when it should be an early warning alarm.
<< <i>
<< <i>The Longacre children and I placed the time capsule in the new shed over the weekend, so I read your "shed" list with interest. The coins that we put in there were not excessively rare (the most valuable coins were a 2009 mint set). It was fun to do, and I am looking forward to seeing the condition of the coins in 2039, the year in which we designated the time capsule to be removed from its secret location in the shed. >>
2039 is not convenient for me. >>
Lance.
Sulfur is very nasty stuff to have around coins.
Very nasty.
In addition, the following array of products are made with vulcanized rubber including ice hockey pucks, tires, shoe soles, hoses and many more. Hard vulcanized rubber is known as ebonite or vulcanite and is used to make bowling balls and clarinet mouth pieces.
None of these should be stored with coins.