I have an example here where I think moisture got into the slab and I'm wondering about the correct storage process. Surely someone could make a better slab. What is the correct way to keep slabbed coins stored? This question may sound a bit ignorant so be nice please. Can a coin go into a slab totally gem bu and get toned in the slab over time and have you had experience with this happening? The couple of slabbed toned coins that I own were slabbed by the previous owners so I don't know if they were already toning and then slabbed or slabbed and then became toned. Anyone have info?
I dont know if this is the correct way, but I store mine in the NGC and PCGS boxes in my safe-deposit box. An example is here, http://www.pcgs.com/store/p-20-pcgs-plastic-storage-box.aspx . Sorry I dont know if I answered your question.
Do you want to store them and every now and thern look at them? Or do you want to store them and look at them very infrequently? For the latter you can vacuum seal them in food saver polypropylene. If you want to inspect or admire them once a year, you can always make up a new vacuum bag. I do this to ALL my coins, mint sets, coin folders,LP1-LP4 boxes, you name it. I feel confident that NO degrading of any kind will occur. zeke
My choice is using Eagle Certified Coin albums. Then storing them in a secure container with a controlled environment. Like a safe deposit box. I make sure I have an accurate inventory which includes which album each coin is in. Then I don't have to fumble around trying to figure out where I put a coin. And I have good photos of each coin so I can do a show-and-tell without having to visit the bank.
A safety deposit box may be best, because it may be climate controlled. But if you have a safe at home or office, make sure that you place a dryer in it to keep the safe dry and fire proof. Good luck. (-O)
In most cases a coin is dipped before submission to the TPGs and then over time, a reaction occurs after the coin is slabbed and toning or spotting can occur.
Fretboard Doug and others have answered this question before but I can't find the thread I am thinking of. For me, it is a safety deposit box, with slabs in Intercept Shield boxes. Also desiccants in the SDB.
I have wondered this myself, although whatever method I choose, I want to be able to admire my coins frequently. As such, only those coins I can bear to be without for a month or more at a time go into the safe deposit box (typically all bullion gold, and larger silver bullion). This is the best method I've found; but I can't say I really like it. Ease of storage is there, and I love that its economical. The problem for me is that I'd like to be able to see multiple coins on a single plane surface. They also don't really give me a "special" feeling. More on that later. I always make sure there is desiccant (silica gel) inside the box. I'm not the best about changing it as often as I should, but I try ;P Custom wooden/velvet boxes are available, and I own one which houses 6 coins (1909 Indian, 1909-S Indian, 1909 Lincoln, 1909 vdb Lincoln, 1909-S Lincoln, 1909-S vdb Lincoln). Now I want one that will hold all those and have room for S/S, proof, etc. Given that such custom boxes are not cheap and are inflexible when it comes to expanding I'm not totally satisfied with this method either. I seriously considered these and the lighthouse encap sheets for slabs. They are both economical, and allow for multiple coins viewed on one plane. Unfortunately I can't get over the similarity to the pages I house my 2x2 flips in. I know many won't agree, but I want my slabbed coins to stand out from my other coins. They are "more special" if you will. Yes I'm buying into the hype of TPGs, but its a reaction I have accepted even if I know better I find home safe for the purpose of storing coins to be a complete waste of money. If a thief wants in my safe they will get in; if they are concerned for time they will take the safe with them. 600 lb safes are surprisingly movable and unless you're bolting the safe to the floor, they're a total joke. I do own a safe however, and it is filled with coins...boxes of moderns worth no more than face value. The only use IMO for a safe is as a ruse. Ben
brent-krueger.com IS-BX6 Intercept Shield NGC/PGCS/IGC Track Storage Box for 20 Certified Coins. 9 3/8" x 3 3/4" x 3 1/4" They work fantastic for me.
Yes, I know about the plastic boxes the TPG's make and sell and I know about the safe deposit boxes and I'd really like to get an answer to this question. This question may sound a bit ignorant so be forwarned. Can a coin go into a slab totally gem bu and get toned in the slab over time and have you had experience with this happening? The couple of slabbed toned coins that I own were slabbed by the previous owners so I don't know if they were already toning and then slabbed or slabbed and then became toned. Anyone have info? :bow:
From that picture I think the real problem is that is a Coin Universe Holder. Those are not air tight at all and can be taken apart easy. You shouldn't have much of a problem with NGC or PSCS's as they actually seal them.
The answer to your question is Yes this can happen. It is most common in copper coins. Thus the reason why PCGS will no longer guarantee color designation on coppers. I do not have personal experience with this because I tend not to buy fully red coins. I have seen many many slabs that are designated RD, and the coins themselves are plainly and obviously RB. I see no reason why this cannot occur with clad, silver, and gold as well. The process may be slower than that of copper, but the process can happen nonetheless. Ben
Yes, it happens every day. And just about anyone who has owned a slabbed coin for more than few years has had it happen to them, even if they aren't aware of it. And by the way, even though that Gem BU coin you ask about becomes toned in the slab - it is still Gem BU - after it becomes toned. As for the coin you pictured in your original post, it looks to me like there was condensation inside the slab. This happens all the time, often because the owner of the coin leaves it his/her car overnight. At night the car cools down and the contents inside become cold. Then as the sun rises the contents become hot and condensation forms inside the slab. Now there are many other ways this can happen, but the result is the same. No coin holder made is airtight - none. And coins can tone inside any of them. The best you can do is to slow down the toning process with proper storage. And in simplest terms that means storing your coins in a cool, dark place where the temperature does not vary more than few degrees and the humidity is kept to a minimum.
....surely an air-tight 'slab' can be manufactured, i would think. but WHY it is not puzzles me thoroughly!
Quite simple actually - expense. Nobody would buy them. Think of it - literally thousands of collectors completely reject the idea of buying Air-Tite coin holders, one of the best made of the lot. And they are less than 50 cents each.
I have thought of coming up with a slab that was airtight and would be sealed while in a non-atmoshpere environment , like inside a plexiglas tank kind of like a sandblasting box only it would allow the normal air to be dispelled and replaced with an inert gas that would completely keep a coin away from all ravishes of moisture and oxygen,of course it would have to be for only high end coins as it would most likely be more than most would want to spend on slabbing.
Being an anti slab person myself, I suggest you break out all your coins and enjoy them for what they are. Just my opinion. I have several old cars and people always say you don't just drive those around do you? Of course I do. Cars are made for usage. Coins are made for usage and a hobby so why slabs?
Good for you! After you get a copyright and talk to a lawyer, you can show us the prototype. How much are you talking about? Alot of us coin collectors are misers on some things.
Think you might have a bit of a problem coming up with a material to use as most plastics are air permeable. Incapable of being airtight in other words.
I am new to all this so forgive this question, but if you buy a proof coin in a holder - do you still need to store it in as air tight a container as possible?