Carpet and plywood in safe any problems?

drfish · November 26, 2011 2:06PM

Noticed my dad's gun safe has indoor/outdoor carpet covering the inside and a plywood shelf wrapped in the same carpet. Would this have any adverse toning effect Or lead to environmental damage on silver coins? Thanks for your input

7Jaguars · November 26, 2011 2:12PM

IMO - Yes absolutely. Carpet with adhesives and synthetics that elaborate volatile chemicals. Also plywood not only has adhesives but pH/acidity will definitely affect the microenvironment inside safe. Even desiccants will likely not be enough to help and obviously heat and humidity would have a multiplier effect.

coinman420 · November 26, 2011 2:19PM

<< <i>IMO - Yes absolutely. Carpet with adhesives and synthetics that elaborate volatile chemicals. Also plywood not only has adhesives but pH/acidity will definitely affect the microenvironment inside safe. Even desiccants will likely not be enough to help and obviously heat and humidity would have a multiplier effect. >>

i agree with this to the T.

individually sealed in mylar flips they may be ok.

LostSisler · November 26, 2011 2:53PM

Another item to be extremely careful with is fireproof safes. If it's fireproof, everything, including the shelfs, has been treated with fire inhibitor. It will discolor your coins, and not in a pleasant way either.

magikbilly · November 26, 2011 4:58PM

Absolutely not safe.

Eric

darktone · November 26, 2011 8:56PM

I put my coins in zip lock bags and squeeze all the air out. Of course they are in flips or holders also. This can help seal for water damage as well.

TwoSides2aCoin · November 26, 2011 9:36PM

Is the gunpowder in there, too

? You could get some fabulous toners.

PerryHall · November 26, 2011 9:40PM

<< <i>Another item to be extremely careful with is fireproof safes. If it's fireproof, everything, including the shelfs, has been treated with fire inhibitor. It will discolor your coins, and not in a pleasant way either. >>

The bigger problem is the walls of fireproof safes contain gypsum with trapped water which fill the safe with stream during a fire. They are designed to protect paper documents more than coins. Even without a fire the interior of closed safes get very humid.

DIMEMAN · November 26, 2011 11:39PM

Does this mean that this safe would not be good for coins?

link

ricko · November 27, 2011 12:20AM

I have had coins in my safe for over thirty years and have no tarnish, milkspots or other discoloration.... and there is carpet covered plywood inside. This is tangible proof that most who think the method is damaging are tilting at windmills. It will not bother your coins. Oh yeah.. there are also guns and ammunition in the safe. Cheers, RickO

DIMEMAN · November 27, 2011 12:23AM

Thanks Ricko, that is good to hear.

AUandAG · November 27, 2011 12:48AM

waaaa? I've had a safe with coins and a loaded side arm inside for 20 years or so. Never had a coin
turn on me and I'm like Ricko, keep 'em white!

So, I don't think that a safe will harm your coins.

Of course I live in Las Vegas which has NO humidity even when it rains! We do have heat but
my coins don't ever see that of course.

Generally my safe door is open when I'm at home so maybe that helps?

bob

What's the option, store them under your bed? In the dresser with your undies? Buy a safe.
The Sentry safe in the Link is a toy, don't buy that one. Do a bit of research first.

TwoSides2aCoin · November 27, 2011 12:51AM

Cool , dry place. That's the key to preserving coins. Then conserving isn't necessary.

ricko · November 27, 2011 1:57AM

I had them in my safe in Arizona, Florida, and twenty years in Seattle.... and now three years in NYS..... I do keep bags of dessicant in there as well... Cheers, RickO

TwoSides2aCoin · November 27, 2011 2:16AM

As long as they get pulled out for some fresh looks and enjoyment every once in a while I think they'll be okay. If not, they're probably a very risky investment. (the coins). I think it's safe to say: the safe is safe.

darktone · November 27, 2011 2:16AM

I think humidity is a big factor. If you live in a humid place or keep them in a damp basement your chances are better to see some changes. Boxes of ammo are no where as bad as a bag of gun powder.

johnny9434 · November 27, 2011 4:24AM

with all the chemicals and all yes youll have a problem. get rid of the bad stuff

EricSan · November 28, 2011 12:47AM

<< <i>

<< <i>Another item to be extremely careful with is fireproof safes. If it's fireproof, everything, including the shelfs, has been treated with fire inhibitor. It will discolor your coins, and not in a pleasant way either. >>

The bigger problem is the walls of fireproof safes contain gypsum with trapped water which fill the safe with stream during a fire. They are designed to protect paper documents more than coins. Even without a fire the interior of closed safes get very humid. >>

Exactly! The are made with moisture inside them. If you use one of these, you need secondary humidity control in the form of an air-tight container and dessicants.

JCMhouston · November 28, 2011 2:00AM

I just bought this one on Friday at Academy Sports on sale, the other two were full and I had "things" sitting around in closets which really needed to be locked up. Like Ricko I have kept coins for many years in safes without a problem. However mine either have a couple of large dessicant bags which get baked out regularly, or in the case of the new one it has an electrical outlet on the inside and I have a rod type dehumidifier hooked up.

Set uo was pretty easy as it already has four bolt holes drilled through the bottom. Cut four slits in the carpet, drill holes for the thingamajis that go in the concrete and install four bolts to bolt it to the slab.

BBN · November 29, 2011 9:07AM

JCMHouston, If you don't mine me asking, what is the brand of safe you bought and how much did you spend? Thanks

Carpet and plywood in safe any problems?

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