Spacing Slabs in Double Row Intercept Shield Box, or Doesn’t Matter?

winesteven · March 19, 2021 7:15PM

My Intercept Shield protection in my SDB’s is about nine years old, so since I read the protection lasts for only 10 years or so, I just bought a bunch of double row slab boxes made by Intercept Shield from Brooklyn Gallery ($15.96 each, but if you buy 8, then $13.97 each). It says capacity is 50 slabs, but it comfortably holds 66 slabs in a box.

Does the science of Intercept Shield “work better” if I fill each box to capacity, or does it provide better protection if I put maybe only 25 slabs or so in a row, leaving space, or does it make no practical difference either way? I went to the Intercept Shield website, but that provides no contact information to them. They indicate to ask questions to Wizard Supply, but I received no reply from them to my email.

Any thoughts based on actual knowledge?

Steve
https://brooklyngallery.com/intercept-protection-storage-box-for-50-slab-holders-345237.html

winesteven · April 4, 2021 12:31PM

I received an email reply from Lighthouse. As we all expected, they said it doesn’t matter how it’s packed - it’s just as effective, regardless.

GRANDAM · March 19, 2021 7:20PM

Fill it up,,,,,,,, I do.

Walkerfan · March 19, 2021 7:22PM

The spacing makes no difference. As long as the coins are protected and encased by the intercept-Shield holders.

Tom147 · March 19, 2021 8:06PM

I fill mine, leaving enough space so that I can remove. I believe I put 62 in, 31 per row. What impresses me is the price. I've been paying $ 23 per box.

ricko · March 20, 2021 8:20AM

No spacing required.... Coins are protected by the containers. Fill them up. I do. Cheers, RickO

Goldminers · March 20, 2021 8:51AM

I also fill them up except for one or two spots per row that allows them to be removed easier, or they all lock up. I use the space for a folded paper listing what is in the box.

MetroD · March 20, 2021 9:59AM

@winesteven

These boxes are not manufactured by 'Intercept Shield'; they are produced by 'Lighthouse'.
Lighthouse Products that Contain Intercept
Your Specific Product
Lighthouse Description of Intercept

Personally, I 'fill' mine up. That said, if you want a definitive answer directly from the source, you can contact Lighthouse here.

FWIW - Lighthouse has traditionally 'run' a holiday sale at the end of the year. In the past, it has been for 20% off regular prices.

winesteven · March 20, 2021 11:07AM

@MetroD - Great NEW information for me, which is indeed 100% accurate. I'll contact them to see what they say. Thanks so VERY much.

Steve

Tom147 · March 20, 2021 7:44PM

I have 19 of the LIGHTHOUSE dbl. slab boxes. Always paid around $ 23 per box. No room for anymore in the safe. And now I find out I could'a got them for $ 16 ? I'm MAD.

winesteven · March 20, 2021 7:49PM

@Tom147 said:
I have 19 of the LIGHTHOUSE dbl. slab boxes. Always paid around $ 23 per box. No room for anymore in the safe. And now I find out I could'a got them for $ 16 ? I'm MAD.

Actually $13.97 each plus shipping if you buy eight.

Tom147 · March 20, 2021 10:00PM

@winesteven said:
Actually $13.97 each plus shipping if you buy eight.

I started with four a few years ago. As my set expanded, I was buying boxes one at a time. I had no idea my collection would expand like it has. Gonna have to slow down my buying or sell off some of the lower grades. I am seriously out of room.

scooter25 · March 21, 2021 2:34AM

Yeah I just bought my first intercept box for 24$. 🤦🏻‍♂️. Come on @winesteven you need to let us know this stuff sooner!!! 😂

retirednow · April 4, 2021 11:49AM

@Tom147 said:
I have 19 of the LIGHTHOUSE dbl. slab boxes. Always paid around $ 23 per box. No room for anymore in the safe. And now I find out I could'a got them for $ 16 ? I'm MAD.

Do you or others know if they work .. how long have you used them? I have one Piece in an Intercept Shield single slab holder sitting in by Bank for 5 years and looking at it this past week it appears to picked up more color/tarnishing since I bought it.

Cameonut · April 4, 2021 3:06PM

@retirednow said:

Do you or others know if they work .. how long have you used them? I have one Piece in an Intercept Shield single slab holder sitting in by Bank for 5 years and looking at it this past week it appears to picked up more color/tarnishing since I bought it.

I have never ever run a long term, A vs B controlled, multi-year test on these boxes - why would I? I've used them since they first came out (well over 10 years ago) - Track boxes (preferred), individual plastic snap together flips, and the 10 individual boxes in a master box. Most of the time these boxes sit in a bank vault - a somewhat controlled environment from changes in temperature and humidity (I use silica gel to lower humidity). Sometimes they sit in my home in a special hiding place that is also somewhat controlled.

All I can say is that I consider it an inexpensive extra layer of protection above the slab and the other surroundings that the slabs might reside in. And no, I have never, ever had a horror case of severe corrosion/damage in any slab or Intercept box that could be attributed to the packaging. Nor have I seen any other changes in the surfaces that might be attributed to the packaging. Frankly, I think much of the toning that occurs in the slab after encapsulation is due to surface contaminants present when slabbed. I don't think you can expect Intercept Shield to help with those situations.

It cracks me up that people that will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on a coin, and then chirp about the cost of a $20 box that helps protect the investment.

Luxor · April 4, 2021 3:29PM

I did a review of the single row boxes here awhile back:

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1017279/my-review-of-the-intercept-shield-20-coin-slab-holder-box-by-lighthouse-pics#latest

winesteven · April 4, 2021 3:35PM

I don't find a problem getting the holders out (as indicated in your review above via your hotlink), but I only have the double row, designed for "50" holders. However, it actually holds about 66 (33 in a row) if full. As some above suggested, leaving a little bit of room makes it easy and simple to remove holders. For even fewer coins, they have black flexible guides that keep the holders in place just fine.

messydesk · April 4, 2021 4:17PM

@ricko said:
No spacing required.... Coins are protected by the containers. Fill them up. I do. Cheers, RickO

And if ricko is good with this method of preventing unsightly tarnish, you can take that to the bank.

oreville · April 4, 2021 5:41PM

@winesteven said:

@Tom147 said:
I have 19 of the LIGHTHOUSE dbl. slab boxes. Always paid around $ 23 per box. No room for anymore in the safe. And now I find out I could'a got them for $ 16 ? I'm MAD.

a
Actually $13.97 each plus shipping if you buy eight.

I tried ordering 8 and even 10 at one time but Lighthouse did not discount the price below $16.97.

By the way,I found out that if you can order some intercept strips you can place them in the old boxes for $2 per box.

winesteven · April 4, 2021 6:02PM

@oreville said:

@winesteven said:
Actually $13.97 each plus shipping if you buy eight.

I tried ordering 8 and even 10 at one time but Lighthouse did not discount the price below $16.97.

As I clearly indicated above in my original post, this $13.97 each when buying 8 was with brooklyngallery.com (plus reasonable shipping).

Tom147 · April 4, 2021 7:13PM

@retirednow said:

Do you or others know if they work .. how long have you used them?
Haven't been in use that long. I believe it's recommended to replace at 10 years. My collection is kept in a large safe here at home. ( yes, alarm system, security cameras, large caliber handguns LOL ) I have dessicants in the safe which are refreshed every 60 days. No problems with any change in toning so far. So, do they work ? As cameonut said. One more layer of protection. As for replacement of the boxes themselves. My plan is to replace the boxes 2 at a time every year. A 10 year plan so to speak.

oreville · April 7, 2021 5:14PM

@winesteven said:

@oreville said:

@winesteven said:
Actually $13.97 each plus shipping if you buy eight.

I tried ordering 8 and even 10 at one time but Lighthouse did not discount the price below $16.97.

As I clearly indicated above in my original post, this $13.97 each when buying 8 was with brooklyngallery.com (plus reasonable shipping).

Sorry:
Did not thoroughly read your OP.

oreville · April 7, 2021 5:17PM

I live in NY State so I have to pay sales tax but realize that I could make a run to Brooklyn on one of my trips to NYCIty and save on the shipping cost.

winesteven · April 7, 2021 5:29PM

@oreville said:
I live in NY State so I have to pay sales tax but realize that I could make a run to Brooklyn on one of my trips to NYCIty and save on the shipping cost.

Would the actual cost of traveling the extra distance from your normal destination in NYC to and from the Borough of Brooklyn, and more importantly, the value of your time for the extra time involved, be worth the postage savings of about $15?

Spacing Slabs in Double Row Intercept Shield Box, or Doesn’t Matter?

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