do you feel disappointed that TPG slabs are not air tight? (originally posted may 2010)
tahoe98
Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭
...feel free to elaborate. 
"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
0
Comments
Will add that the mail goes by airplane in most cases also.
Empty Nest Collection
<< <i>Trapped air has to go some where when alitude changes. I would rather that they did not come apart on airplanes.
Will add that the mail goes by airplane in most cases also. >>
...yeah but don't light bulbs go by air on occasion?
...in my opinion i would think it would put to rest the idea of atmosphere around the slabbed coin, causes damage.
if it means putting the contents in a vacuum causes an increased cost in the slabbing so be it. if the collector feels confident
it is well protected then it would be worth the cost. surely a solution could be found that would satisfy the collector. it
would be interesting to have the option. like the other options collectors have as in extra stickers etc.
<< <i>
<< <i>Trapped air has to go some where when alitude changes. I would rather that they did not come apart on airplanes.
Will add that the mail goes by airplane in most cases also. >>
...yeah but don't light bulbs go by air on occasion?
I'd guess no, they go by rail, truck and ship. Many light bulbs would pop on an airplane, unless rated for aviation/military use. The same would happen to many air tight slabs. They'd likely pop or crack. The companies could make them thick enough to withstand the pressure or add some kind of bladder that inflates and deflates--either one would look ridiculous, and add significant cost.
For some air protection, put the slabs or the box of slabs in a zip lock bag, or tupperware or similar. That solution is more practical and cheaper. Even those won't be 100% air tight, but good enough for most purposes. Think in terms of layers.
P.S. Just because the air pressure changes decreases at high altitude, it doesn't mean your sealed slabs will explode.
<< <i>I'm disappointed they're not filled with an inert gas and sealed air-tight.
P.S. Just because the air pressure changes decreases at high altitude, it doesn't mean your sealed slabs will explode. >>
I agree. There wouldn't be enough air in the slab to cause enough of a pressure buildup.
The main concern with an airtight slab would be whatever got stuck in there when it was sealed. Sealing an airtight slab in a vacuum would alleviate that concern. Sealing it in pure Nitrogen would likely also take care of it. If Costco can do it for my tires, why couldn't PCGS do it with their slabs?
Empty Nest Collection
<< <i>Of all of the possible disappointments in the coin hobby/biz/industry, this is very low on my list of concerns. >>
That's because you collect dirty, crusty gold. If you collected high grade red copper, you would feel differently.
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
<< <i>
<< <i>Of all of the possible disappointments in the coin hobby/biz/industry, this is very low on my list of concerns. >>
That's because you collect dirty, crusty gold. If you collected high grade red copper, you would feel differently. >>
...
If the coins were inert, it would turn me into a toner buyer.
As it is, I look at toners the same way I do kids or pets. If I could have a 4 year old kid that would never turn into a teenager, I'd want one. Same with a kitten or a puppy.
With coins in a humid environment, I may love that toner/puppy - but I don't want the dog that it may become.
...it would be nice to have such an option.
Ed. S.
(EJS)
And light bulbs will not pop on an airplane.... incadescent bulbs are a vacuum inside. Likewise, soda cans do not explode, and bags of potato chips just expand a little.
I did not know this !
<< <i>...and bags of potato chips just expand a little. >>
I drove the Tioga road in California a number of years ago on the way to Yosemite, and the two bags of tortilla chips I brought with me blew open with a "pop" before I got to the top of the pass.
<< <i>R. Tomaska in his May Newsletter/pricelist states that NGC has introduced an airtight holder ;
I did not know this ! >>
...do you have a link?
<< <i>I think this is somehthing PCGS need to strive for in there Gen 3 holders >>
Arent we on like generation 7?
Secondly, plastics off-gas, especially soft plastics like that used for gaskets. If a slab was sealed, soon the coin would be bathed in an atmospher of plastic solvents. I suspsect this has something to do with coins toning in holders now.
--jerry
<< <i>Who is it that claims sonic sealed, NGC or ICG? I always thought sonic sealed implied air sealed as well? Whats the proper hierarchy? I thought it was Sonic->Water->air->Nanobots >>
PCGS uses a sonic seal. It just isn't sealed 360 degrees.
<< <i>
<< <i>...and bags of potato chips just expand a little. >>
I drove the Tioga road in California a number of years ago on the way to Yosemite, and the two bags of tortilla chips I brought with me blew open with a "pop" before I got to the top of the pass. >>
Thats because your car isn't pressurized to 7000 feet like an airplane is, and Tioga is like 10K. Still only a difference of 10 kPa, but I guess all potato chip bags have their breaking point.
Empty Nest Collection
...the answer is a glass slab. nice and easy to clean too!!
<< <i>
<< <i>R. Tomaska in his May Newsletter/pricelist states that NGC has introduced an airtight holder ;
I did not know this ! >>
...do you have a link? >>
I searched his website from top to bottom and could not find the newsletter ! ?
" Q. After encapsulation, can the appearance of a coin change over time?
A. Yes. In independent testing, the NGC security holder has been proven as the most effective grading service holder on the market today in minimizing the effects of oxidation. Even so, the NGC holder is not 100% airtight. Therefore oxidation, a normal process where air reacts with the surface of a coin, can continue after encapsulation. To further limit environmental hazards, we recommend storing your coins in a temperature-controlled, low-humidity area such as a bank safety deposit box. Be sure to check with your bank for rules and regulations concerning the storage of these items. "
"Finally, NGC recently introduced their air-tight holder , offering the best possible coin preservation, a first for the hobby. "
So apparently Mr. Tomaska is referring to the name "air-tight holder" and not the statement that the holders are 100% air tight !
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
<< <i>I was also disappointed when I first realized my girlfriends b@@bs weren't real but I got over it rather quickly ............MJ >>
Whatcha mean, "not real?" Do they have Replica stamped on 'em?
<< <i>...the answer is a glass slab. nice and easy to clean too!!
Ding-ding-ding!!!!!
The use of glass as an encapsulating material is the ONLY VIEWABLE way to have your coins in an airtight environment (other than encapsulating in a very thick chunk of epoxy resin). All plastics, especially the polycarbonate family are gas-permeable to some degree.
The VFD industry uses such a glass structure with frit glass acting as the "glue" between the six pieces of glass forming the box, or slab, if you will. A vacuum is pulled via a gettering process to remove any impurities, and then it is sealed by a wafer cap.....voila, air tight (essentially, a VFD is a fancy, addressable light bulb)!!!
Of course, the first dealer/collector to drop the glass slab will either break it, or fracture its integrity thus loosing the airtight seal.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
It was disappointing the first time I saw a nice red cent had toned in the slab but I got over it. It's like getting gray hairs, I can't fight it.
"...tranpsarent aluminum..." - "How do we know he didn't invent the thing? I miss our "miracle worker." I met him once. Excellent response you posted.
Best,
Eric
<< <i>
<< <i>...the answer is a glass slab. nice and easy to clean too!!
Ding-ding-ding!!!!!
The use of glass as an encapsulating material is the ONLY VIEWABLE way to have your coins in an airtight environment (other than encapsulating in a very thick chunk of epoxy resin). All plastics, especially the polycarbonate family are gas-permeable to some degree.
The VFD industry uses such a glass structure with frit glass acting as the "glue" between the six pieces of glass forming the box, or slab, if you will. A vacuum is pulled via a gettering process to remove any impurities, and then it is sealed by a wafer cap.....voila, air tight (essentially, a VFD is a fancy, addressable light bulb)!!!
Of course, the first dealer/collector to drop the glass slab will either break it, or fracture its integrity thus loosing the airtight seal. >>
...
do you feel disappointed that TPG slabs are not air tight?
Great question tahoe98....it keeps me up at night!!!
Perhaps the next 'Big One' will rectify this slab deficiency!!!
...if i may quote myself.....