I need a new safe. I've read the many threads about safe options, but have not seen any discussion on whether I can buy one safe to store my coins and guns.
I can't think of any reason not to, assuming the coins are stored in a proper container and not making contact with the guns. All of my coins are either in airtites or coinsafe tubes. I have been considering putting the coins in the gun safe since it is pretty big and has a lot of extra room.
Guns don't kill people, coins do! Seriously though, I'd be concerned with the oil(s) from the gun(s) and associated paraphernalia.
I've always heard the cleaning oils and sulfur residues associated with guns would harm coins. But, I've stored coins and guns in the same safes for 35 years and never had an issue with a single coin. It all comes down to proper storage. Your coins are probably more susceptible to airborne contaminants in your living room than they are in a safe full of guns.
I agree. There are many oils and chemicals associated with guns (both clean and not cleaned guns) that I would be afraid would affect the coins. I would avoid storing coins and guns in the same safe.
I wouldn't store them together, just in case. But then, what about the average dealer/hobbyist that keeps one gun in their coin safe, just in case they're forced to open it?
What about ammo and coins? I keep my ammo, not my gun, in the same safe. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
I heard that in the old days they used to keep loaded six-guns hidden among the cash and coin in the bank vaults. I was told that by a buddy of mine, who's a CFO at Wells Fargo. I never really researched it, so I don't know if it's true. It could be just one of those stories that sounds so good, you know, "therefore, it's true."
I agree with Cole and Vlaha. Its the solvents used in cleaning guns, or the sulphur from using the guns. I would think if you cleaned your guns after use, let them air dry for a bit, (or put them in front of a fan), this would dissipate most of the chemical issues. ALso, store your coins separately and place loose new silver outside of them. The silver will oxidize before the coins, and if you see the silver toning you know there is an issue you need to solve.
I think it's okay. I have been doing it for years, with no ill effects. I just have small guns like the collapsible Henry AR 7 survival rifle, but they don't seem to affect each other.
It might be safe...since ammo should be sealed. That said, gun powder does contain sulfur and other chemicals. That can affect coins...so I'd probably store them separately if it were me. I have a bunch of guns...I keep them all away from my coins.
Many of the gun safes that are compartmentalized have plywood and 'felt' material inside to make it look cozy. I would be more suspicious of those than ammo. The larger factor is how often are the doors opened to allow exchange of air gases. 3 or so times a week should ventilate the inside air to similar to room air. You can always put the guns and solutions in giant zip-locks/vacuum bags Pretend it is a silencer.
Or seal-a-meal your coins like I said when I first got here Cut them open and re use them. Start larger and work your way down, then swap to smaller packages (if you need to open them and fondle them from time to time) Works great for ammo too
If your coins have any significant value, they should be kept very far from you guns, as in the safe deposit box of your local bank. Problem solved....
When I first started collecting, I bought some green metal ammo boxes from the Army Surplus store thinking they would be perfect strong containers for heavy coins. When I got them home and opened the tops, the chemical smell was so strong, it could gag one. I left the tops open for weeks for them to air out. During that time, I decided that that environment was too contaminated for use in storing coins. Bummer.
