Should I be concerned about PVC issues?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by DEA, May 26, 2019.

  1. DEA

    DEA Well-Known Member

    Before I cut these Vatican coins out of this original packaging, I thought I'd get some advice or input from y'all. I bought this in Vatican City in about August 2000 (see the price on reverse - 35,000 lira; I think that was about $16). I see no PVC type damage but I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge with something like this. Oddly, I do not see a set like this with a google search, which tells me others have removed the coins from this packaging. Either this is a rare set (doubtful) or others know the coins will be damaged from the PVC softener. I've scoured the set for any kind of tell-tale markings for the 'ingredients' but I have found none, which concerns me in itself. Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge or thoughtful answers.

    Vatcan Coin set (2).jpg sidea-_0002.jpg
     
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  3. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    The coins look happy the way they are. I don't see any signs of PVC.
    I would not change the holder they are in.
     
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  4. DEA

    DEA Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Larry! They do look happy, don't they!? That is one variable in my hesitation to remove them.
    Best regards,
    David
     
  5. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    If you REALLY want to test for PVC, shave a little of the edge off, heat up a copper wire in a flame and touch the shaved plastic so that it melts onto the wire, return the wire to the flame and look for a green coloration to the flame that denotes Chlorine - positive for PVC.
     
  6. micbraun

    micbraun coindiccted

    030A954F-43F0-40D0-926B-633F07AFC16E.jpeg
     
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  7. DEA

    DEA Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Kentucky! Is it really so obvious, the color? Green like Kentucky bluegrass? Green like a the green ink on a dollar? Green like a green Crayola crayon?
     
  8. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

  9. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Kentucky likes this.
  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Leave them as they are.
     
  11. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    What's the phrase I'm looking for ? Ahh yes - famous last words. :D And yes Larry, there is more than a bit of humor intended there.

    That said, and there is no humor intended here - one must always remember that when it comes to PVC contamination, just because you can't see it, that doesn't mean it isn't there !

    When PVC contamination first forms it's crystal clear and in a very, very thin layer - and nobody can see it. And sometimes it can take years before it becomes visible. But during all that time, it has been sitting there doing damage to the coins.

    Now does that mean that the OP's coins have PVC contamination on them ? Nope, it does not. But it doesn't mean there isn't any either.

    And @DEA , you also need to be aware of this, once PVC contamination occurs, damage has already been done. It may be minimal but it will have been done. At that point all one can do is remove it and stop it from doing any further damage.

    So what would I do ? I'd find out if the packaging contained PVC or not.
     
    DEA likes this.
  12. DEA

    DEA Well-Known Member

    That is the concern (". . . and nobody can see it. And sometimes it can take years before it becomes visible") that led me to first decide to cut them out. Thanks to all for the advice.
     
  13. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    I agree with you. Why take any risk.
     
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  14. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    Test the holder before you cut it up. Out of the holder, you have eight coins worth maybe a dollar each. If they had more value, I would have said to cut them out from the start and avoid the risk.
     
  15. DEA

    DEA Well-Known Member

    My intention is to do so - to test the packaging. Thanks for the words of wisdom, Idhair.

    Simply put, I've never tested rubberized-Plasticine-packaging (for lack of better words) before, I don't have anything fancy as Kentucky showed me in his picture above, and I haven't got to V yet (I've been carefully cataloguing and checking my collection - A to Z - since perhaps September). I'm on T through U at the moment.
     
  16. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Actually that was an alcohol burner, but you can use a disposable cigarette lighter.
     
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