The subject sounds redundant or unnecessary, but not the case with more modern Mexican bullion. It's diameter is 36mm but it is also 4mm thick. No Air-tites work with this size and I don't want to use 2x2's or plastic flips. So I plan to use the thinner, standard 36mm Air-Tites, but they won't close completely. What could you use to seal the gap? It needs to be transparent and still chemically safe to the round within. It will never be removed once encapsulated, unless sold. I'll deal with that once and if it happens. Or does someone have a better mousetrap?
They make Model X Airtites for thicker coins, you'll just have to figure out a way to match the diameter of the coin. http://www.jpscorner.com/AirTite_Ring_Type_AirTite_Coin_Holders.htm
Well I mean you may have to do a little work on your part, like making your own foam ring or something.
They won't sell you bulk foam material and the thickness still remains a problem. The smallest X model is 38mm.
Have you contacted Airtite directly? There also are other comparable products on the market. Checkout a google search. Steve
I have tried all supplier's, and yes Air-tite won't sell foam direct. This is the only solution. I've even looked at the Mexican Mint site and no luck. I have used the google seach already.
Have you asked Lighthouse what the depth capability of their CAPS 36 is? The inner diameter is 36mm so worth a shot: http://www.lighthouse.us/epages/lighthouse.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/leuchtturm_us/Products/CAPS36
When you buy the ring capsules you often get the inner piece of foam too - like a donut with the donut hole... you could cut that down. Or foam isn't too hard to find, you can probably snag some from your local craft store (or the internets)
If you buy a capsule that has a ring large enough to cut down, the pre-punched hole is too big for the bullion piece. And the foam they use is a non-toxant to the coin. The hobby shops have no idea if their product will or will not work. (talked to two).
I just called and they have an answering machine to leave a number, I did. However, I have no problem simply sealing an Air-Tite to make it work. From a time/cost efficiency, this seems to be the best route. I just don't want to cause a problem to the bullion.
I don't know if there is any kind of adhesive on the market (archival quality) that couldn't cause chemical damage to the coin. I think that's why the slabs used by the grading services are sonically-sealed. Chris
Lighthouse just called back. Their holder isn't thick enough to work. Off hand they are not aware of any capsule that will. You would think with all the Mexican bullion out there, someone in the market would address this. So back to square one, a non-toxant adhesive to seal an Air-Tite. Any good suggestions? I am thinking of carefully using a small heat gun to melt the two halves together.
Plasticizers that cause PVC damage have silicon in them. I don't think I want to chance it. Some of the picture frame shops claim they use it to mount coins to their mats, but then state they wouldn't recommend it if the coin is valuable. What does that mean?
I think this finalizes the options on capsules for the Mexican Silver Libertad. There simply are none. From 1982 up till 1995, the Libertad was made from Silver blanks 36mm in diameter and 4mm thick. In 1995 until present, the blanks were revised to 40mm and thinned down and will now fit into an ASE capsule. The pre-1995 bullion pieces were shipped in cardboard tubes and never supplied with an Air-Tite style holder. The Air-tite Company states on there home page, that their 36mm ring type holder will not close properly on this particular coin. In other words, fit it the best you can and go from there. Other manufacture's don't even get this close. So my original thought of sealing the edge, remains the only option for a clear plastic holder. I think I will use clear 1/4" labeling tape and seal completely around the capsules circumference. This will offer the best seal and keep the two halves together. (Unfortunately, they come apart easily with just normal handling). Keep this thought for your future reference. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.
How about those electric glue guns? I'm not sure what material is used in the glue, but you can put the airtite on, and then use the heated gun to make a nice seal. You can apply it bit by bit, uniformly to make a seal that looks nice, and get a couple coats on there.
Rhino89. I had thought of using the heat gun to get the plastic soft enough so it would bind together. Maybe even one of those pencil soldering Irons with a small tip I could get into the seam. I think I will experiment with a few empty holders and see how it works. As long as the coin itself doesn't come in contact with the adhesive, your thought would also have merit. I guess this will be a good project for a rainy day. Right now they are all in 2x2's, so they are partially protected for awhile. It sure came as a big surprise when I thought it would have an easy solution.
Watch out though, as melting plastic releases some pretty volatile chemicals. As a thought, you could place one side of the capsule on an iron (like for clothing) to heat the edge up uniformly.
