Is storage in an attic safe?

The moisture is already there, it's part of nearly everything. You're breathing it in right now. It doesn't matter how well you have your coins "sealed", there is already air (thus moisture) trapped inside.

Fluctuating temperature is the WORST possible thing for coins. Open your mind a little, there are processes at work that you cannot perceive. On a electrochemical scale, all metals have internal currents constantly flowing, there is also micro-level humidity. These micro-currents/humidity are always changing with the environment. As metal cools, more micro-condensation is formed on the surface, i.e. a thicker molecular layer. As this layer interacts with the current, you get corrosion. As temperature fluctuates, this drives the process even more and eventually you'll have corrosion you can see.

 

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Yes I am saying that . .....how long will it take? There are way to many factors to consider . Why in a roll of coins one is rainbow toned and the rest blast white? Why a 200 + year old coin look mint state and an 10 year old coin look like crap? They are your coins do as you please. But in closing I will state this in the area I live even through my attic is insulated the temperature between mid winter and mid summer is enough to convince me that it's not the place my collection is going to be stored.

 

And you can take this to the bank. As this poster is an expert on this very topic, as well as knowing the chemistry of medals.

 

I'd also be concerned about another possibility in Texas - tornadoes. They are a fact of life in that part of the country and I sure would minimize whatever I kept in the attic for that reason. Often times walls of a house will stand but the roof will blow off.

 

Not after posting this to the whole world.

NEVER discuss your security strategy in public!

I once went to meet a woman at her house to look at a collection she inherited...

"Don't worry, I'm protected - I have guns in the safe" she tells me...

I'm thinking -yeah and now all I have to do is stand between you and the locked safe. Don't TELL people this stuff!

Security through obscurity!

 

I like the detail in your answer . As far as suggesting I open my mind ,that is exactly what I've been doing . I have no personal experience in this situation of coins in attics or basements. I guessed the answer to another poster . Air still present with temperature fluctuations will cause moisture inside . So what if air was vacuumed out before closing the tomb ?

 

I think you should focus on finding some good hiding places or buying a guide on how to install a hiding place in the wall or floor or false vent or outlet. Based on your first post I was thinking $25k or $50k or even more. I know your collection is very important to you but for $1000 I think you are talking about a lot of effort. You probably have appliances and electronics that exceed this that thieves would first focus on.

 

You should NEVER use vacuum for coin storage! I know it seems like it makes sense on the surface but the logic is flawed. By creating a vacuum you are creating a dynamic environment, i.e. all vacuums leak over time and you'll be slowing drawing fresh air/contaminants in. Coins are best stored in a STATIC environment, i.e. no air coming nor going. One of the reasons why temperature control is so important, it helps with maintaining a static environment.

 

IE; The RCM vacuum seals Silver Maple Leafs ,..I've noticed even online small intrusions or more likely air that never got out causing toning. (usually after about 10 years) So your detail helps affirm an argument that I tend to agree with. The problem here is why I originally posted, which was some guy was wondering why he can't store his coins in the attic. .I believe ,still...properly stored within time limitations , bullion or even valued numismatic coins could be stored in these described "worst places" ., if properly stored ,for extended periods with very plausibly some incremental toning . So what !. Toning is attractive and silver coins placed in inert tubes or as previously stated in safes ,which claim to keep moisture out ,...should in fact keep coins from destructive corrosion. The corrosion would occur (by your description ,I agree) So I agree with your argument but disagree with the rigid black and white attitude of most of the posters here. I think one guy described coins he bought that toned horribly because they were left in an attic in a old fashioned Whitman album, totally unprotected from the elements for 10 years Well,...No kidding .

 

I suspect RCM uses vacuum to protect their own interests, it will buy enough time from packaging until the end-buyer receives the item. However, they obviously have not considered the long-term implications as ALL vacuums will leak over time, it doesn't matter how well sealed something is. I vaguely recall an experiment done at NIST using a very carefully prepared glass container that supposedly wouldn't leak.....it did.

 

And so I continue to agree with your argument but ... the time it takes a well sealed coins ,coins in modern safes ,inert tubes etc...to be noticeably corrosive is literally years .Different environments obviously go from a year to 10 years ,ultimately corrosion occurs. A little tarnish on bullion coins does not decrease value at all. That is what the guy asking if he could store his coins in an attic was inquiring about, which is why I answered a 2 year old post. The rationale that bullion coins properly contained in basements , attics or environments that are not static will be devalued is absurd. Numismatics are a different argument. Personally ,I like toning on coins ,I believe the value can be enhanced if the toning is even (natural) and relatively light . If a person wants a blast white coin to remain nearly as it was the day it was minted ,I completely agree with your argument .You have explained logically why ,which all others have not ,which is why I said the discussion was ,...rigid

 

One of the biggest threats to your coins is from theft. If you store your coins in your home do not put them in your bedroom closet or shelves. That is the first place robbers look. These bums are in a hurry to get in and out, and they know that most people store their valuables in their bedrooms.

Be creative and hide your coins very well and be careful who you tell it to. Friends and relatives have been known to steal coins.