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storage what do you think

Hello fairly new here could use some help. i picked up some plastic containers
today 2x3x6in high they are like tupper ware. i was thinking of putting my coins
in and was going to add lots of bags of silica gel. all the coins will still be in thier
own containers like pcgs slap holders and mint packaging my house has steam
heat. not to good for my collection would like to know what you think before
do it
Thanks poppy07005image

Comments

  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,312 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Unless your steam heating system is leaking I'm not sure why it should matter.
    theknowitalltroll;
  • 09sVDB09sVDB Posts: 2,420 ✭✭✭
    Not sure but I think you have to be careful that these containers don't contain any PVC.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,846 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If these containers are designed for food storage, they don't contain PVC and should be safe for coins.

    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

  • MrHalfDimeMrHalfDime Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
    I'm not a chemical engineer, so I cannot speak with any authority about the specific containers that you mention. However, I would encourage a high degree of caution before submitting any valuable coins to such storage. Over the years I have had many people bring collections and hoards of coins to me for possible sale or appraisal. It is not unusual for such non-collectors to utilize almost anything that was available for storage of their coins, often with disastrous results. I recall one collection of small cents dutifully separated and neatly stored in the small round plastic containers that 35mm film comes in. I don't know if it was the plastic container or some residual chemicals left inside, but all of the cents were essentially destroyed, and had no numismatic value whatsoever. I have seen similar results from a variety of containers not strictly intended for coin storage. So I would try a test, with a few low value coins stored in the proposed containers for an extended period of time before I subjected any valuable coins to possible harm in such containers. You have nothing to lose but time with such a test, but much to lose if you do not exercise caution.
    They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
  • the rad. do put off steam as far as know the containers are for clothing and things don't know if there for food.
    the coins would not be incontact with the container directly just sealed in them in thier own packaging
    Thanks poppy07005
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,846 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Does the container have a smell? If it smells like a new shower curtain or the inside of a new car, its made of PVC and should be avoided. If it has no smell its probably safe for coins.

    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

  • well they do have a smell to them not sure if it's smells like a new shower curtain or the inside of a new car
    to many cigars my smell is off is there a container like this that someone knows is safe or what kind would you use?
    Thanks poppy07005
  • morgansforevermorgansforever Posts: 8,481 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I seal my slabbed coins in food saver bags. I use a large bag and can vaccum seal 20 slabs into a flat brick of coins, easy storage. I contacted Food Saver and a rep confirmed that the bags contain no PVC, so my guess it's good for coins too. Some of the bags have been sealed for close to a year, with no seal issues. I seal up silver coins, to prevent the ugly milk spots on ASE's, for example. Proof sets should also be sealed up, to prevent the hazing of the fields. IMO clad coinage is better off exposed to the environment, let em toneimage
    World coins FSHO Hundreds of successful BST transactions U.S. coins FSHO
  • so i guess if i seal then in the food saver bags then i would be able to put then in the containers i have yes ?
    thanks poppy07005
  • Yes, steam heating does introduce steam into the house through those radiator valves. It doesn't have to leak.
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  • rmpsrpmsrmpsrpms Posts: 1,953 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have had excellent luck over at least 10 years with acrylic boxes sealed using Kapton tape. These are clear plastic boxes made from (I believe) the same material as slabs, though slabs may be polycarbonate (anyone know for sure?). Kapton is a polyimide tape that is designed specifically not to degrade over time or to outgas at room temp. An advantage to these boxes is that they are very clear and you can view contents easily. Recently I've included silica gel paks, but I am not so sure about these. Perhaps others could comment on long-term stability of silica gel paks?

    TAP plastics sells many sizes of these boxes. There are even two sizes that are perfect for 1c BU roll storage (3-7/16 x 3-7/16 and 2-1/2 or 4-7/16 heights - hold 12 and 20 rolls respectively).
    ------------------------
    Here is the link to the storage boxes:

    http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=222&
    ------------------------
    While you are on the site, check out the nice sorter tubes. I am particularly fond of the small yellow tube, which is 1c size and holds 15 Lincolns:

    http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=233&
    -------------------------
    The Kapton tape is expensive, but worth it. Here is one link but you can probably find this stuff cheap at a surplus outlet. I bought several 1/4 inch rolls for $5 each at an electronic surplus store. Look around...

    http://www.kaptontape.com/polyimide_tapes_5mil.php


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  • rmpsrpmsrmpsrpms Posts: 1,953 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Here is a link to a cheap source for Kapton tape (they call it the "duct tape of the electronics industry")

    http://www.amazon.com/HMC-Electronics-K250-1-Kapton-Tape/dp/B000ARTYWS/sr=8-2/qid=1164567677/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-4046999-5292619?ie=UTF8&s=hi
    PM me for coin photography equipment, or visit my website:

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  • Thanks everyone i'll give it a try
    poppy07005image
  • Hello i checked your site out but the containers are very small i'm looking for something like 2ftx3ftx6or7in tall
    to slide under bed i now have then in 2 trucks but collection is growing
    Thanks poppy07005 what do most of you store your collections in?image
  • <<what do most of you store your collections in?>>

    I have a standing wooden bookcase that has 8" deep shelves. I put plastic PCGS boxes with slabs out on the shelves. I have mint and proof sets also out in the open on those shelves. I also have plastic PCGS boxes of the valuable coins stored in a safe deposit box at my bank.
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Thanks poppy07005 what do most of you store your collections in? >>



    Cheap stuff in a foot locker.
    Good stuff goes to the bank ie. Safety deposit boxes, grew out of just one.
  • rmpsrpmsrmpsrpms Posts: 1,953 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Hello i checked your site out but the containers are very small i'm looking for something like 2ftx3ftx6or7in tall
    to slide under bed i now have then in 2 trucks but collection is growing
    Thanks poppy07005 what do most of you store your collections in?image >>



    Sorry, when you said 2x3x6in I thought that was kind of small but the containers I use are about that size...For 2ftx3ftx6in I can't help ya.
    PM me for coin photography equipment, or visit my website:

    http://macrocoins.com

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