Well my nice US Mint packaging has failed me, some of my silver proof sets are yellowing around the edges. Does anyone know of anything I can do to prevent future toning? I'm assuming there is nothing I can do to reverse the toning that has already occurred, but I'd at least like to try to stop it from progressing. Thanks!
You could store them in Intercept Shield boxes with desiccants http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/products/intercept-shield-boxes/ That will stop any further toning . rzage
Moisture is the worst enemy , I get the desiccants that tell you when to recharge , dry them out , in the oven , but any would work , they sell them at the link below , best to get all the supplies you need at once cause the shipping costs bring the price up . rzage
I saw the metal tin desiccants today at Gander Mountain. The ones that turn colors to tell you when to recharge them. They are at any store that sells guns and gun safes pretty much.
turning yellow mine too. my silver proof set were changed to reddish color. my clad proof set were became hazed and toned. the mint should change its packaging.
Smoke If you smoke in your house or where coins are that will cause it. no desiccant will stop that I been told I do not smoke cig's
There you have it, but add one more ingredient : a water resistant, air tight enclosure - in my case, a safe. Dessicant doesn't help as much in a safe deposit box, because the boxes are not very air tight. Some moisture will flow through. The more air tight the enclosure, the more effective dessicant will be. Measure the humidity. Get a hygrometer like they sell for humidors (cigar smokers). Inexpensive, but plenty accurate for what we're doing. The only way to play smart is to play informed, so you gotta measure humidity. Google. Get one that has a High / Low / Reset. When you open the safe door, the outside air flows in and makes the humidity read high. You want to know what the humidity has been with the door closed, so reset it everytime you close the door and look at the "LOW" number when you open it up. My coin humidity is in the upper teens; ambient air around here tends to run about 50%rh.
Yellowing Silver proof sets I learned this the hard way on Ebay. I bought from seller's with 100% positive feedback with a pix and when I got them in hand they were yellow tinted and smelled like an ash tray. Very disheartening. I've learned not to buy on Ebay.
I read that is one method of AT to try to cover up faults and alterations. That's right. Dessicant only protects against humidity and moisture - nothing else.
I've heard they're pretty safe , no PVCs , but not the best protection for your Unc. coins . I've had old wheat pennies in them for about 20 years with no problems , but my houses' humidity is very low . rzage