How long can paper money last in PVC?

Discussion in 'Paper Money' started by killswitch95, Jul 21, 2019.

  1. killswitch95

    killswitch95 Member

    Hi, I'm new and I've put myself in a bit of a situation.

    I got a job at a gas station and as such currency from around the globe, paper and coin, and from different eras come through and provided I don't short myself my boss lets me buy these from my register...

    As such I have quite quickly amassed a sizable (In my eyes) collection of coins and recently started collecting paper once I bought a 1963 Series A $10 bill to go with my $2 series 2013 (Just a new bill, maybe it'll appreciate down the road)...

    Here's my problem:

    I literally (As in today) received my BCW Hard Clear Money Protectors because I wanted a rigid bill protector not an overly flexible sleeve however I have done some research online and learned that PVC is bad for paper, so knowing I have to buy a different type of sleeve such as Mylar which isn't cheap (the whole reason I jumped on the BCW was the get the bills into some sort of relative protector aside from being between two pieces of computer paper wedged in a heavy book but on a budget) so I have to save up...

    But if as advertised the 'rigid' PVC shouldn't have these plasticizers or stearates in them to damage the bills, but as read on the community apparently BCW likes to lie about what their plastic actually is so I'm perplexed...

    I know in the long term PVC will damage the paper making it almost oily and/or brittle but I am curious as to about how long it takes, do I need to go out and break my budget because these sleeves are a disaster, or if I wait about 6 months to a year will they be fine, so long as I do not wait much longer than that?
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Return them and get the correct ones.

    Welcome to CT.
     
  4. NOS

    NOS Former Coin Hoarder

    I'd say you'll be fine with them. Typically, the harder and more rigid a sleeve or holder is, the less likely it is to contain PVC. I have notes that have been stored in rigid BCW sleeves for over ten years and they show no signs of any degradation. So I'd not worry about it and enjoy storing your newfound notes.

    Regarding how long paper money can last in holders made with PVC, it often takes years to see any adverse effects. Factors such as heat and humidity can play a part in when symptoms can start to show.
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2019
    Mountain Man and coinsareus10 like this.
  5. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    PVC is a hard, rigid plastic unless it is plasticized. It will degrade eventually but not for a long time if kept out of sunlight and at a resonible temperature
     
  6. halfcent1793

    halfcent1793 Well-Known Member

    Soft PVC contains phthalates. They act as endocrine disruptors, i.e., synthetic estrogens. DO NOT USE THEM UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN (AND MAYBE EVEN YOURSELF) TO BECOME MUTANTS.

    I exaggerate, but you REALLY don't want to use soft flips for ANY purpose. They are not good for your coins or you and your family. I don't know what they may do to paper money. It might depend on what the money is printed on and what inks were used.

    Plastics containing phthalates are illegal in children's toys for the reason in the first paragraph.
     
  7. killswitch95

    killswitch95 Member

    I didn't buy 'soft flips' specifically because I wanted a more rigid protector to keep the bill from bending easily and to keep it straight, so I bought these:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WVKHQEA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 made of semi-rigid PVC, it is a sleeve with a very mild amount of flex, but not as much as I've seen with the flips. So since I know it's not 100% rigid PVC I'll probably have to get different ones down the road...
     
  8. Evan Saltis

    Evan Saltis OWNER - EBS Numis LLC Supporter

    I'm not satisfied with this, for now. I just myself got what is assumptively the same plastic as the original post for my banknotes. I don't really want to test with fire but I'd like to know if I should just store my notes separately from my coins so I can use up the big pack I just purchased.
     
  9. mpcusa

    mpcusa "Official C.T. TROLL SWEEPER"

    Make sure use mylar style holders, PVC gets hard and brittle after awhile
    can even damage your notes:(
     
  10. SteveInTampa

    SteveInTampa Always Learning

    I’ve never been a fan of the hard plastic holders. I once had a note halfway fall out of one. Quality Mylar holders are only about 50 cents each. A small price to pay to protect your notes.
     
    Mountain Man, midas1 and slackaction1 like this.
  11. Jaelus

    Jaelus The Hungarian Antiquarian Supporter

    I use hard currency flips and put the flips in soft pages. It holds them in well and the flips protect the currency.
     
  12. SteveInTampa

    SteveInTampa Always Learning

    Isn’t a “flip” something used on the coin side ? I thought we were discussing paper money sleeves…
     
    Notaphylic_C likes this.
  13. Notaphylic_C

    Notaphylic_C Well-Known Member

    I agree with @SteveInTampa , pick up some mylar currency sleeves. They're easy to purchase at your LCS, eBay or online & it would help to drop the 'flip' lingo. Next thing you know, we'll be seeing more comments/posts about notes with a 'weird strike' or that are in 'mint condition.'
     
  14. Jaelus

    Jaelus The Hungarian Antiquarian Supporter

    Yes a sleeve. Hadn't had my coffee yet. You understand what I meant.
     
  15. Evan Saltis

    Evan Saltis OWNER - EBS Numis LLC Supporter

    Well, I can’t return the opened BCW PVC sleeves. So instead, I’ll find some other place to get better sleeves. Thanks folks. Still exploring the banknote world.
     
  16. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man Supporter! Supporter

    I haven't had the long term experience that some here have had, but I think you'll be fine leaving them in those sleeves until you can afford a better set up. I store most of mine in an album, rather than individual sleeves, but can see why you might want them separate.
    I would love to see some of your finds. Please post them individually for us to enjoy. Good luck.
    And thanks to your boss for letting you "switch out" your finds.
     
  17. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    What's the material that the TPGs use to place the bills into ?
     
    midas1 likes this.
  18. Jaelus

    Jaelus The Hungarian Antiquarian Supporter

    The sleeves I use are Guardhouse unplasticized vinyl (uPVC). No complaints.
     
    Notaphylic_C likes this.
  19. Notaphylic_C

    Notaphylic_C Well-Known Member

    I also like (use) Guardhouse, Safeguard, BWC & any of the brands that have Mylar or "PVC-free" on their labels.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page