OK, for the last couple years I have stored part of my coin collection (my nicer things) in a gun safe. As many of you may know, one of my other hobbies is target shooting. I am currently facing somewhat of a storage deliema and would like some input. First off, let me say that the coins in the safe are not supremely rare or valuable...in total probably worth somewhere between $1000 and $2000 dollars. Many of them are Morgan Dollars, Indian and Lincoln Cents and a couple gold coins. However, these coins are worth more to me than they are actually worth. My problem is I have recently taken up the hobby of shooting black powder guns and was given a black powder pistol by my father. With the pistol, I also received a metal carton of black powder. I usually don't store ammo in the safe because of room and the fact that ammo isn't on its own something I consider too dangerous on its own. However, I feel the need to lock up the carton of black powder because of the quantity and because it is more not as safe as typical ammo with smokeless powder. Here's what I'm concerned about. As some of you may know (any shooters or chemistry people), black powder contains charcoal and sulfur. Is there any risk to the coins in storing the coins and the powder in the same safe. The powder is in a metal tin with a metal screw on cap which I doubt its air tight. Unfortunately, I have neither the money nor the room right now to buy a second safe for the coins...and I would prefer not to remove the coins from the safe. Is there any real reason I should be worried about this?
if you leave your coins in the same enclosed location as the powder for an extended period of time [months] you will certainly have some toning ...blues and greens. why not keep the powder...in an alternate location ...garage/or a relatively cheap/small fire box/lock box... as the coins are obviously more valuable to you
I'd go another route - get a new safe for the coins. Coins shoul dnever be kept in a safe with guns - the gun oil, cleaning solvents, powder residue etc - all put off gasses that can be harmful to the coins.
Agree 1000 % each of the items Doug mentioned do have their own specific chemical makeup and will off gas ionic particles into the atmosphere. This in time would change the surface of your coins and quite possibly provide them with a new less attractive appeal. RickieB
Or an alternative. What these members say is true. You may be able to lock the powder in an airtight bag. ( ziplock baggy of sorts). And also lock the gun s and other tools etc. in their own compartments.( airtight) Plus putting all of your numismatic collectables in some sort of airtight device. Be it ziplock baggy, or some sort of bag, or tupperware, where you can suck out the air and create a vacuum of sorts. May not work for all, but on a limited budget ,where you already spent enough dough on security-preservation, etc., it may be just fine for the novice to the experienced collector. I have run in to the same problem at one time or another. As long as each item is not sharing the same "air", there should be no difficulties or problems with toning, rusting,or oxidation of each item. I have 5 safes. 1 large gun safe. Two 2 cubic foot firesafes, and two hidden 1 cubic foot digital wall safes that are not exactely fire proof. And I collect everything from pounds of low grade Lincoln cents & junk silver, to paper & plastic currencies, gold, platinum, & every other type of us coins, and many types of guns and metallic weapons & ither items Key is too create a vacuum & use each space wisely!! Hope this helps CLAW
I actually have all my coins and guns stored together. And that is something Ive been worried about. And black powder causes severe corrosion of any metal. Its some nasty stuff, when it comes to that. The idea suggested of using ziplock bags is a great idea that I have been considering myself. But one thing to consider, throw that black powder away. Get some pyrodex. Its the modern black powder substitute. It still has some very strong corrosive properties, but not nearly as bad as black powder. I think you will find that the guns are alot easier to clean as well. I used to shoot black powder and I actually lost a gun to corrosion. No matter how often I cleaned it, I just couldnt keep up with the corrosion, anyhow, the gun got so pitted, Im too scared to shoot it. Pyrodex isnt as volitile as black powder either. Static electricity can set off the black powder. Anyhow, I have my guns and coins stored together, but not in a confined space. I do have concerns for my own coins, and have been planning on storing my coins in ziplock bags and tupperwares. But one thing I was planning on asking some fellow coin talk members, What do you think about moisture absorbing silicone packets, and oxygen absorbing packets??? Are they a good idea or a bad idea???
Well, I have one of them vacuum sealers that would work. But Id end up cutting them open everyother thing so I could look at my coins. Ive thought about vacuum sealing some of the coins that I know are going to be in my collection long term, but thought a ziplock bag would be just as effective. Anyhow, thanks for the warning. Is there anything else that might work???
Yeah, store your coins separately in another safe. I understand the desire the save money, but think about your coins. Some of us can spend a lifetime accumulating a collection, let alone the cost - don't ya think that collection deserves the best it can get ?
Regardless of if gun oils, gun powders, gun clearers, dish soap, sky rockets, battery acid, nothing will effect the coins in the same place if the corrosive agents in any of the above or anything else can not come in contact with the coins. I've been storing all types of guns, gun powder, ammunition, cleaning agents, etc in the same place as coins for well over 60 years. Now this may not be good in the next hundred years or so and if not, I'll let you know. All my coin albums are now in zip lock plastic bags with as much air pushed out as possible. Presently over 100 Albums. Plastic rolls of coins have the top sealed with clear tape. Boxes of 2x2's are just boxes of 2x2's and so far no problems there either. Also, some coins in jars waiting for me to decide what to do with them. Lid on tight. The moral of my story is if things can not get to your coins, no problems. The Sulfur in gun powder can not penetrate a plastic zip lock bag. My breath could do more damage to coins while opening a baggie than all my guns and stuff.
I have a large safe, measures 27" deep, 36" wide, 60" high, that i store my numismatics in. I also have a safe 24" wide, 18" deep, 60" high, that is stored on another location that stores my guns. Avything associated with the guns, cleaning supplies, ammo ... as others have allready posted, none of it is good for the coins (or paper for that matter) If your collection is not valuable in collectors terms, i would suggest either a smaller fireproof save that can be bought for $100-200 for the coins. A seperate gun save that is not fireproof can be bought for around the same price. I understand cost issues are always a concern. I used to collect thiunking that i would rather spend my money on items i collect, and i still do. But now i also understand that i need to also spend money on items supporting the items in my collection - books, magazines, safes, and other accesories. It does pain me to spend money that i would rather use to buy more for my collection.... in the end, i will have a better collection because 1) it is safe in my safe and 2) with the books and magazines i buy, i am now more knowledgeable (hopefully anyhoot) good luck on caring for your 2 collections
Hello Carl... Nothing personal, but I beg to differ with that. Have you ever looked at a baggie under a 500x microscope? Well Sir, gas as we know it (air) is composed of ~ 80 N2 and 20% O2 . Gas penetration through a plastic bag is very real and is a continious occurence. Just think about the plastic medical grade bags used in ionic exchange. Just becaues your coins have not turned yet does not mean that gas is not moving in and out of your baggie. Think about balloons for example filled with (He or Air) if they were not permeable they would never deflate. Gas permeation is a matter we deal with all the time in BioPharmaceuticals.Plastics are made with hydrocarbons and combined with off gas particulates from other solvents and compounds is sure fire bad news in the long term. Best regards, RickieB Have a great day... RickieB
Gotta agree with the gun safe stuff. For about 20 years I stored my coins in my gun safe. Though I never noticed any change in color or any contaminents, I didn't want to chance it, as I know sulpher alone can be very corrosive. I don't store ammunition in the house, but no matter how well you clean your guns, there will always be trace amounts of sulpher on them. If you live where there is humidity it can cause it to emit a gas. Wasn't worth the risk to me. Guy~
If you can not buy another safe, you can buy ammo cans at any army navy store for about $2.00 each. They are lockable water and airtight and can be stored anywhere. I use them for just about everything but my coins. I put my coins in my gun safe and only my coins.
I don't see it mentioned here, so I'll bring it up. Most home fire safes are fire resistant, and lined with a chemically treated liner between the walls. Here in AZ we do not have the humidity issue, but I have been told , and have read somewhere, that is to be considered as well. the chemicals may cause issues.
