A quick search of this product on CT only brought up 2 threads. It was mentioned by Spock twice and Frank once, but no comments on anyone that has used it. So my question is, has anyone purchased this product and does anyone have any testimonials that they would like to share? Thanks.
Here is the patent that underlies the product. http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6752934/description.html A quick reading seems to indicate it works by enforcing ( increasing) the inherent oxidation layer on metal ( copper and other) and preventing further oxidation there after. I would be concerned with Red or red brown copper coins myself turning slightly more brown. You will notice that silver is not mentioned. Near the end of the description it mentions the production of acids. I would vastly prefer silica gel or intercept(tm) products over this product which seems more towards the protection of commercial metals rather than coins. There is good support chemically for putting some new (change) harshly cleaned, rinsed and dried copper coins loose in the storage unit as sacrificial coins to be replaced as they start to turn, sparing your other coins. IMHO. I would like some of the other chemists on the forum to give their opinions. Jim
What do you use? I notice you say "would prefer" and not I use. I use all the free silica gel packets I get from work. I set them in the safe and move them from time to time - none of them have changed color yet and I have not noticed any real problems. I am curious about what the chemists will say also. Thanks
Thanks Jim! That patent info sheet gave me flashbacks to my organic chemistry final exam. LOL! I was getting ready to order some more silica gel containers and came across this. I wanted to get more info before I looked into buying it. I will stay with my silica gel packs for now. THanks. Joe
Since moisture and environmental gases pose the most problems, I use what I consider are good barriers against those. In the safe and bank box, that is silica gel ( and the small packages works well for me here in the desert, just may need drying occasionally) and slabs and flips are in the intercept(tm) boxes (ISBX) types such as at bottom of this page http://www.brent-krueger.com/boxes.html Most non slabbed coins that I plan to keep for a while are in 2x2 mylar flips and heat sealed to keep out moisture/environ. gases). For coins in tubes, odd holders, etc. I still use the vacuum zip locks or even plain zip locks. Actually the best preventative is regular inspection of silica and the coins themselves. IMHO. Jim
Thanks Jim. This is who I just placed my purchase through tonight. I have been using them for about 3 years now and have had great results with my purchases. I currently have two of the largeer EVA-dry dehumidifiers. I decided to purchase a hydrometer to measure humidity this week and after 3 days, the humidity level seems to plateaued at 40%. So in an effort to try and get it down some more, I just purchased two silica gel containers with the traditional silica beads. Lets see if that works.
Most people use a safe for protection against theft. However, remember that during a fire a safe gets hot, may not melted, but hot. Inside all plastic materials will melt. Cardboard and/or wood will singe, limited burn, smolder. Of course Silica Gel packs don't do well in heat either. Now imagine your coins after that.
The aluminum canisters work great, plus you can reactivate them and use them over and over again! Here are some indicating orange canisters (doesn't contain the blue/toxic Silica Gel): http://www.silicagelpackets.com/dry-packs-canister/
