It is said that a little knowledge is dangerous... Armed with a little knowledge, and a large collection showing signs of age and possible coin corruption, I began to repackage. Basically, the collection I was given years ago is sorted by Type, packaged in saflip packets, arranged in plastic sheets, in 3 hole binders. Due to the years, and the fact my Uncle lived (and died) and squalar, the lower row and the outer column of the sheets are showing signs of serious dirt, grim, ... yee, and other debris (trying to tactfully note some were disgusting). As I updated the Type by adding in the last 5 to 7 years of coins, I decided to move forward on repacking the coins in new and clean saflip pouches and binder display sheets. I am sure all this stuff has a formal name... Anyhow, here was my approach. I laid the binder out on a separate desk. I would remove one sheet, move to another table (the clean zone). I then removed each saflip containing a coin, visually inspected the pouch and wiped clean with soft cotton cloth. If there was no visible debris in the saflip pouch, into the new binder sheet it went. Each pouch is folded over of course. I tried to avoid opening the fold as this often took the labels with it; however, if debris was found inside the fold, it was also wiped. Now, upon reaching the bottom row or outside column, additional steps needed to be taken as the saflip pouch was beyond repair, and the labels were either missing or beyond recognition. Using what knowledge I had, I would move the pouch to another area (away from binder and away from sheet clean zone) where I had set up an area to create and label new saflip pouch, and cotton cloth over towel to receive the removed coin, and a dirty zone with the dirty pouch to sit while new pouch created. I would add labels to inside flap of pouch, transfer all information I could find based upon old label, or coin review, and then: Cut old pouch 1/8 to 1/4 inch above coin to remove flap and crease zone (very dirty). I would then pinch pouch over cotton cloth landing zone, and let coin fall out about 1/4 to 1/2 inch above cotton cloth, attempting to put reverse (tails) up. I then opened new pouch (opposite side of labels) and (with washed hands, very clean) would pick up coin by delicately by the edge, and gingerly slip into new pouch. The new pouch with new labels and coin inserted is folded allowing the labels to display, and then went into the binder sheet. They look Oh so much better, and removes my concerns that the coin could be subjected to foreign or deteriorating matter. I have ordered some cotton gloves but believe my approach here is satisfactory with regards to not touching the coins. I ended up spending most part of the day doing this, and I really enjoyed it. I plan to repackage them all as time goes by. sorry to be so long winded, but I appreciate you reading and value your input and advice. Ironically, when my uncle passed away, he left me boxes of binder sheets, boxes and boxes of saflip pouches, bags of binders, a box full of labels, pens, and stuff, a couple magnifying glasses... stuff I had no idea what it was for. And yet as I began to delve into this, I realized he left me everything I needed (including coins thru 07) to update and complete this collection. I have more questions about the data he included on the labels, but that is for another post. thanks and Be Safe!
Howdt TRT - Welcome to the Forum !! One area of concern, the 3 ring binder pages that you use to hold the flips are likely made of PVC. That is definitely not a good thing. You need to check and make sure and if the pages are PVC they need to be replaced with non PVC pages.
Listen to Doug, the PVC is dangerous to coins. Easiest way to check: Are the flips soft and easy to fold and unfold? Yes? Then toss them, they are most likely PVC. Non-PVC flips are pretty brittle and crack easily.
very appreciative for the replies to my long winded note... to confirm, I do not want to use PVC Saflips, ... but being as teh saflip is then stored in the 3 ring binder sheet, it should not matter if the binder sheet is PVC?? Or does it? The saflip are very sticky to each other, not very pliable and I even managed to snap one when folding it over. I will heed your advice and confirm (not PVC). I remember my uncle talking about the various storage issues.
Yes it does matter. It is the large sheets you store the individual flips in that I am talking about. Easiest way to test for PVC is to smell them - if they smell like a new shower curtain - throw 'em out. If the brand name is Saflip - you are fine. They are not PVC. And based on your description about one of them cracking when you bent it, I'd say that's what you have.
WELCOME TO THE FORUM. If the plastic pages you are refering to are rather stiff, not to worry even if PVC. I doubt they are but even if they are the stuff that was added to make them more flexible usually leaks off in several years. The substance is none as phthalate and after the excess leaks off the PVC returns to a basically stiff, not dagerous material that won't even melt until 212 degrees F. PVC is in reality a Polymer and is a very stable CoValent Organic compound. Look at any hardware store for what is written on the plastic pipes used for drinking water in your home, it's PVC. Note your stomach has not turned green yet has it? PVC damage to coins is similar to the misuse of the term Verdigris. Once someone says something about it, it gets copied over and over and over. If your worried about PVC, you should really worry about drinking water in almost every modern home in the USA. Regardless. Back to your find. My opinion is to slowly purchase Albums such as Whitman, Dansco or similar ones. Place any coins you can in those. They will help preserve the coins and also look great. You don't have to use cotton gloves if your carefull and just handle all coins by the edges. Primarily wash you hands frequently so as to get rid of as much oils and acids from the fingers as possible. Your question as to if the pages themselves are PVC and the flips are not. Again, it depends on a few things. If again the pages are older and stiff, most likely all the phthalates have leaked off by now. There was only so much of that mixed in and when it is gone, it is GONE. If you have 2x2 type flips and they are securly stapled or taped, very little air can get to them. Still I like the use of coin albums since they serve so many purposes. You can see the front and back, fingers can not touch them, you have notations under them that tells you what they are, you are more aware of what you have and what you do not have.
