Ok, I see, I meant what method would YOU suggest? I realize the things that CAN damage coins, I want to know HOW to PREVENT that from happening. But anyways, I think I will try the silica and ziploc, thanks Merc.
Silica is good, but can only remove so much moisture. If your house isn't air conditioned and you live in Florida, you may want to get a de-humidifier for the area you keep your coins. Otherwise a ziplock bag will sweat as they aren't air tight and condensation will build up on your coins. Like I said, I keep my house about 70 with about 10% humidity and use silica packs and tupperware containers. Most food containers won't contain PVC's as they leach into whatever is stored in them, but if you aren't sure write to the company and they'll send you a list of the agents in the product. Guy
Tupperware is a good idea... Could go with both. Coin in ziplock bag, with silica gel, in a tupperware container.
I live in Hawaii and I have the same problem with heat and humidity. I keep my coins in a water-proof/fire-proof safe in my basement. I do have a couple de-humidifiers that I keep around my safe at all times. The inside temperature of the basement is kept at a constant 70 degrees. I have also stored coins in ziplock bags before, with no trouble. And the silica gel is a good idea.
I've had some toning develop on different types of metal, with my Danscos, just about as illini and ldhair describe. Have considered the Intercept Shield albums, but their 'protective' pages need replacing every few years. Has anyone used the Intercept album and had any luck preventing said toning?
It might be an industry secret. I don't know. They're supposed to absorb impurities in the air that cause toning but like numismania said, the material supposedly becomes exhaused over time. They say 10 years. The albums go into hard slip covers with the same material so it's kind of like double protection. I store my slabs in their slab covers and boxes too.
I would rather have an Intercept Shield that I have to change the pages every 10 years over a Dansco which does nothing to protect the coins. Now I am asking myself why I have a bunch of Danscos.
I store my most valueable coins in a safe deposit box in a Reynolds Vacu-pak resealable plastic bag that you suck out the air after resealing it . I put a few gram packs of silica in before I reseal and evacuuate the bag. (I hope that's a real word!). I think the bank vault is pretty temp/ humidity regulated and if I remember to bring in the hand held vacuum device I think I got the environmental control pretty much covered.
I have a proof franklin in a dansco, and it's toning on the edges. The problem is I can't remember if it was like that when I put in in there, or if the book did it.
Thanks for sharing different aspects of both the conditions and the types of changes coins could make being stored in those albums. I was considering an album myself for some things, now I am not as sure. perhaps a 70/70 is still a possibility for a set though..
