I recently purchased some Peace dollars that were in a very nice looking album, with a copyright date on the inside leaf of 1976. It was made by "ENOR CORP", and it's called "COINGARD". The coin hold pages consist of 5 rows, in which an insert (that actually holds the coins) slides into each row. My concern is that the 5-row pages appear to be PVC, but the inserts are a stiffer vinyl (not pvc?). Anyway, I removed the coins until I could get members to comment on this album - any knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
The biggest problem I'm having is determining if, in fact, it is PVC. How can I tell if it is? I've done a Google search on the album name and the manufacturer (ENOR) and got nothing useful - that's why I came to this forum - you guys have seen it all!
You may not be able to tell, and we may not be able to advise you. So... 1) To be safe, toss the album. 2) Give your Peace Dollars multiple soakings in acetone, just in case. 3) Store your Peace Dollars in a medium that you KNOW is PVC-free.
I once bought a slew of Soviet Union coins in a similar album. I used up a whole can of acetone that summer.
Here's a discussion from a few years back on another coin board. The consensus seems to be that the older albums contained PVC....... https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20053
YES. That is the same album (except mine is for Peace Dollars). Apparently, the 'sleeves' the coins sit in are mylar, which means the coins do NOT touch the PVC. Can the coins still be damaged if not in contact, but in obvious close proximity? An excellent visual of the album in 'green18's post, above.
As I said earlier, I have removed the coins from the album. Before I relocate them to a Dansco album, I'd like to give them a "bath". I don't see any damage - but, just to be safe - how long should I soak? When finished soaking, immediately rinse with DAWN soap and water? I appreciate ANY suggestions!
Soak in acetone, then quickly before it dries, rinse with fresh acetone, then allow the coins to air dry.
Some misconceptions you may run into. All PVC doesn't smell like "shower curtains", in fact Walmart has some PVC shower curtain brands that do not smell like shower curtains we know, as they have less or no similar plasticizers. The Plasticizers in old PVC can disperse in a slpw vaporization state when new and at room temp, but it won't cause damage unless water vapor is also present. You can snip a tiny piece from the inner edge of the vinyl and stick it on a needle , hold with a pliers and put into a flame. Yellowish green color in the flame indicates the chlorine component. If you see no plasticizers, rinse the coins with acetone and air dry ..no water as it is a component of damage. No other soaps or detergents. If you have pilot light flames in the area of acetone use, go outside. Jim
Hold the 'Dawn'. If anything, rinse with distilled water and allow to dry on a paper towel while slanted upright. In other words, lay the towel flat and place the coin on it while leaning it up against the back-splash (assuming you're doing this in the kitchen).
WOW! I would have really screwed up using my 'system' of washing gently with soap and water -at all! Over the years, I have given all of my coins (when I first gained possession of them) a 'bath', if for no other reason than to eliminate the 'old coin smell'. It consisted of using a drop of Dawn dish soap on my thumb and forefinger, and gently rubbing the coin for about 15 seconds. Then I'd rinse, then blow dry with a hair dryer. I have never experienced any negative affects on the coins, and I've used this process for over 15 years. (I do rinse with distilled water). Comments, please!!!
Sounds like you live in a warm/hot . lower humidity state. I am in SoCal desert and I don't have PVC damage or much corrosion/damage over the long years. Currently 102 F 8% humidity. I do have trouble with books and paper money due to the low humidity. Jim
Currently 97 F with 43% humidity in Harrisburg. Wanna swap? Worst day of the year. Gimme -20 F any day, rather than this garbage!
Save the Dawn for your dishes. Three baths in fresh acetone (I prefer xylene for copper coins) and that's it. Acetone evaporates almost instantly and leaves no residue. No need to rinse with distilled water.
