Do you store your PCGS slabs in InteceptShield Holders...

Sandhawk · January 19, 2004 3:17PM

Do you store your PCGS slabs in plastic PCGS boxes, or do you use InterceptShield Holders / Boxes ????

lordmarcovan · January 19, 2004 3:21PM

I have some PCGS boxes from the old days of my Registry sets, but my personal collection has shrunken to the point where I don't need them (except for dealer inventory). So I just keep 'em in little cloth "slab cozies". Intercept boxes might be nice to try but I haven't seen them, and am too lazy and too cheap to order them. Besides, I wonder how much of that is hype. Certainly the Intercept box can help, but how much does it help?

The cloth cozies are good enough for me. I got one with a flag pattern and a little velcro closure from a fellow member. The others are just green felt, made by a member's wife.

FatMan · January 19, 2004 3:21PM

Welcome to the forum Sandhawk.

I have a set of SAE proofs that I keep in the Intercept Slab Boxes. The SAE at .999 is very reactive and I really want those to remain un toned. I don't know if it makes a difference but it just feels right to me.

All my other slabs simply reside in PCGS and NGC boxes.

Coppernicus · January 19, 2004 4:20PM

I think the IS boxes are great for raw coins in 2X2's but overkill for PCGS/NGC/ANACS slabs. These I keep in a safe deposit box with desicant which I replace regularly. The slab combined with low (no) humidity is enough for my copper, IMHO.

I do have some IS boxes for some of my raw stuff, though.

Mike

hjohn74 · January 19, 2004 7:17PM

Hi and welcome! I use the IS boxes for my PCGS slabs. So far, I've been very happy. I collect early commemoratives, which tend to tone; however, mine have remained as purchased in the IS boxes. Not sure if that is due to the slab, the box, or a combination of both.

Wayne Herdon has a good deal on IS boxes for forum members.

Boom · January 19, 2004 7:50PM

Am I missing something here. The PCGS slabs are sealed. Theoretically you can take a dive into the ole pool with one in your hand and unless you have a defective slab the coin will be bone dry! I've never had any problems with my very expensive collection in the slabs kept in the PCGS boxes! I do however have one that I must return for a spot check as something took place with the coin right before it was placed in the slab and some evidence of it having been damp has caused some sort of runny, milky looking "stuff" inside! PCGS is about to make things right I'm sure as indeed I am returning it for a free spot check!

greghansen · January 19, 2004 8:03PM

I us the IS boxes for my pricier silver and copper coins. I don't bother putting gold pieces in there. I then store the IS boxes in a safe deposit box with a large container of desicant that I rotate out every 6 months or so. That at least forces me to get there to see my coins ever so often!

With regard to the previous post about the slabs themselves being sufficient protection...I don't recall the details...and don't know if it is an urban myth....but my recollection is that there was some test done in the past where slabbed coins were exposed to a closed environment containing an artificially high concentration of sulfer. It is my recollection that some of the coins in the slab did tone. I would be interested in hearing from someone who may have more complete memory of this.

291fifth · January 19, 2004 8:45PM

I've never bought into that technology.

LincolnCentMan · January 19, 2004 9:44PM

Not me. Here's my prefered viewing tool.

David

razorface1027 · January 19, 2004 9:50PM

David;
Where did you get that? Custom made?

dorkkarl · January 19, 2004 10:09PM

<< <i>Do you store your PCGS slabs in InteceptShield Holders... >>

i store my pcgs slabs right along w/ all my other slabs (acg, ngc, icg, segs, etc), in a cardboard box in the basement. of course, that's AFTER i remove the coin

.

K S

keoj · January 19, 2004 10:15PM

Yes, I do store them in IS boxes. 10 holders/box.....not a bad way to organize and keep them pristine. I then put the in the IS bags...call me anal but I've noticed a few turn color over the last 13 years (yes...in the PCGS holder). The holders, especially if the coin was dipped prior going in the holder, are not the end all.

keoj

newport · January 19, 2004 11:26PM

I called PCGS on the matter. They said that the holder does let air in and it can also let water in. So I would not go jumping into the pool with mine.

MJPHELAN · January 19, 2004 11:46PM

I also keep my PCGS slabs in IS boxes. I have had copper change without them. I have a nice 1915-D MS-65 red lincoln with a beautiful fingerprint now (before IS).

Mark

Lakesammman · January 19, 2004 11:55PM

Coin world had an article about coins turning in the holder when placed in a high sulfur environment. It happened quickly.

If the coin was "messed with" before holdering, IS won't help. The fingerprint will still develop, for instance.

I keep my copper in IS sleeves and boxes. Helps me sleep at night!

IrishMike · January 20, 2004 12:07AM

I won a box of them from NGC and keep my expensive copper in them, also helps protect the slabs from scratching. I also keep a nice proof 70 DCAM lincoln 63 in one.

Lakesammman · January 20, 2004 12:24AM

Mike:

Is that 63 SEGS or ACG??

Barry · January 20, 2004 12:31AM

While IS technology sounds plausible in theory, I'm not convinced it works in the real world. I have lots of coins that survived just fine without IS technology for 200 years. Maybe the changes of the industrial revolution makes it different now. Time will tell...

One thing I've never seen documented is how long does an IS work, until its filter is saturated? If it does work, it can't work forever.

Shamika · January 20, 2004 12:38AM

Yes, I use InterceptShield holders for my slabs.

I use two wood burning stoves in my house and I worry about what this may do to my coins. Whether or not IS boxes work, I can at least sleep better now.

ms70 · January 20, 2004 1:05AM

Yup, I use the Intercept Shield Slab Box System. Harmful contaminants WILL penetrate slabs so I give my coins the best
protection that is offered. The boxes are rated for 10 years of use & I plan to replace them every 8.

A quick note on desiccant: Silica gel only works on moisture and only in a sealed environment. If the space you're trying to
dry up is not sealed, the silica will draw moisture from outside the space and reach it's saturation level quickly. Then if the
temperature rises above a certain level, (I forget what level, maybe in the high 80s), it releases the moisture that it absorbed
back into the area you're trying to protect. Hope this helps.

mgoodm3 · January 20, 2004 1:06AM

I keep my nicest slabs in an IS box. It's a very nice box, high quality.

Lakesammman · January 20, 2004 1:08AM

MS70

I always laugh when someone says they put dessicant in their safe deposit box - it only works if you have enough for the whole bank then, as you say, the moisture will then be concentrated in your box! Thanks for explaining it in plain English.

nankraut · January 20, 2004 1:30AM

I've placed my 1936-54 PCGS-slabbed proof sets in I.S. holders. I do believe I.S. technology, but--of course--only time will prove it one way or another. Also, the I.S. holders keep the slabs from getting scratched/grungy.

topstuf · January 20, 2004 1:57AM

I have ONE coin in an IS box. A full red large cent.

LAWMAN · January 20, 2004 2:02AM

Boom and others: I don't think PCGS slabs are TOTALLY airtight, which means they probably are not totally watertight. Has anyone actually dunked one to see?

I think we are all in for some revelations some years down the road when we see what happens to ALL this stuff over time. I have to laugh when I look at my Bust Halves from the early 1800's -- those suckers sat in somebody's drawer for a 150 years or more until they came up with envelopes for coins.

Yes, I have found that SAE's, (aka ASE's) are very very sensitive for toning and mine tone purple when left in the Mint containers.

oreville · January 20, 2004 2:27AM

LAWMAN: Laugh??????????

You should be laughing on how we collectors nearly screwed things up in the 1960's and 1970's with the latest in PVC laden soft flips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shamika · January 20, 2004 4:09AM

"A quick note on desiccant: Silica gel only works on moisture and only in a sealed environment...if the
temperature rises above a certain level, (I forget what level, maybe in the high 80s), it releases the moisture that it absorbed back into the area you're trying to protect."

Actually, silica gel performs consistantly up to 100 ºF. Above 100 ºF its performance begins to drop off but will continue to work up to 220 ºF.

Robgetty · January 20, 2004 4:37AM

I like the idea of the extra protection of the IS holders; however, I still like
to have the presentation format of my Eagle slab binders.

Do you store your PCGS slabs in InteceptShield Holders...

Comments

Leave a Comment