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Question for those that have 25+ year older bars sealed in plastic.

PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,122 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Precious Metals
Some of these bars appear to be sealed in plastic that is PVC. Some of these plastic holders appear to be stiff and brittle while others appear to have deteriorated (soft and slimy). Do you remove your bars from their old plastic sleeves and dip them to remove any possible PVC residue? Do you just not worry about it and leave well enough alone? Are older bars that are still sealed in plastic more desirable than bars that are no longer sealed or does it really matter?

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"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

Comments

  • 1jester1jester Posts: 8,637 ✭✭✭
    Without exception, if I don't know with absolute certainty that the packaging material doesn't contain PVC, I rip them out and treat them to an acetone bath. Even if I suspect that the factory vinyl doesn't contain PVC, I rip them out. I've discovered that the vinyl factory packaging (such as that used by JM, Englehard, etc) imparts an ugly purplish tone to the bars over they years, even if it doesn't contain PVC. And I'm disgusted when I find the slimy disease gained from contact with those putrid little PVC sleeves. Often the damage is permanent, even after the slime is removed by acetone. PVC is the scourge of the industry, and people who continue to subject coins and PMs to it should be strung up by their gonads.

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  • OPAOPA Posts: 17,119 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Without exception, if I don't know with absolute certainty that the packaging material doesn't contain PVC, I rip them out and treat them to an acetone bath. Even if I suspect that the factory vinyl doesn't contain PVC, I rip them out. I've discovered that the vinyl factory packaging (such as that used by JM, Englehard, etc) imparts an ugly purplish tone to the bars over they years, even if it doesn't contain PVC. And I'm disgusted when I find the slimy disease gained from contact with those putrid little PVC sleeves. Often the damage is permanent, even after the slime is removed by acetone. PVC is the scourge of the industry, and people who continue to subject coins and PMs to it should be strung up by their gonads.

    imageimageimage >>



    Jester, as always, very eloquently stated. I release mine from their prison and if they are described as above, give them a bath in EZest. Takes care of the slime, crud and that ugly, almost black, deep purple tarnish that is so common with long term stored bars in their original cellophane. The bar is then placed, if it fits, in a brand new hard plastic direct fit holder.
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
  • WeissWeiss Posts: 9,941 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm not concerned and actually look for bars in original plastic.

    I don't have any bars that have PVC damage and don't think I've ever seen any. Some of my sleeves are brittle, but none have gone gooey. Even if they did: It's pure silver bullion. It's not like there is numismatic value.
    We are like children who look at print and see a serpent in the last letter but one, and a sword in the last.
    --Severian the Lame
  • OPAOPA Posts: 17,119 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'm not concerned and actually look for bars in original plastic.

    I don't have any bars that have PVC damage and don't think I've ever seen any. Some of my sleeves are brittle, but none have gone gooey. Even if they did: It's pure silver bullion. It's not like there is numismatic value. >>



    Weiss, I agree with you on the strictly bullion bars, but most silver art bars do carry a numismatic value, some quite high. i/e some of Jesters PAMP 1 oz European Middle Age Cities, will set you back $100+
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
  • WeissWeiss Posts: 9,941 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    Weiss, I agree with you on the strictly bullion bars, but most silver art bars do carry a numismatic value, some quite high. i/e some of Jesters PAMP 1 oz European Middle Age Cities, will set you back $100+ >>



    True. I'm talking about JM and Engelhard bars. However, I'd be reluctant to take those PAMP bars out of their cards. That's one of the coolest things about them.
    We are like children who look at print and see a serpent in the last letter but one, and a sword in the last.
    --Severian the Lame
  • OPAOPA Posts: 17,119 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    Weiss, I agree with you on the strictly bullion bars, but most silver art bars do carry a numismatic value, some quite high. i/e some of Jesters PAMP 1 oz European Middle Age Cities, will set you back $100+ >>



    True. I'm talking about JM and Engelhard bars. However, I'd be reluctant to take those PAMP bars out of their cards. That's one of the coolest things about them. >>



    They are housed in hard plastic direct fit holders and not cellophane, so that should not be an issue
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
  • CiccioCiccio Posts: 1,405 ✭


    << <i>Without exception, if I don't know with absolute certainty that the packaging material doesn't contain PVC, I rip them out and treat them to an acetone bath. Even if I suspect that the factory vinyl doesn't contain PVC, I rip them out. I've discovered that the vinyl factory packaging (such as that used by JM, Englehard, etc) imparts an ugly purplish tone to the bars over they years, even if it doesn't contain PVC. And I'm disgusted when I find the slimy disease gained from contact with those putrid little PVC sleeves. Often the damage is permanent, even after the slime is removed by acetone. PVC is the scourge of the industry, and people who continue to subject coins and PMs to it should be strung up by their gonads.

    imageimageimage >>



    +1
    You taught me well! image

    I am just keeping some examples in their original plastic in case I want to sell them on a later date.
    All the others go into airtites or Saflip flips. I don't have anything bigger than 1 oz... image
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