A while ago I broke up some modern proof sets and put the coins in 2x2 plastic flips. I forgot about those coins for a couple of years, but just recently I found them and was shocked and disappointed to see that some of them acquired a greenish residue! Both the clad proofs as well as the silver proofs turned this way. But interestingly, not ALL of them turned green, even though all of the holders were identical. I'm curious as to why that is. More importantly, though, I need to know how to get the green stuff off easilly without hurting the coins. Otherwise they're pretty much worthless to me, because they look horrible.
You used flips that contain PVC - big no-no. If left alone it will literally eat the coin away - and in all likelihood it has already damaged the coins. Any coin flip that is soft and pliable - contains PVC. You need to get rid of them all - immediately. Now you're not gonna like this but you have to clean the coins ASAP. You can do this with pure acetone which can be purchased at a hardware store. DO NOT use fingernail polish remover !! I wrote some basic instructions for this process once - I'll see if I can find a link for you.
What about the hard flips? Do those contain PVC. I guess they could be considered pliable, but certainly not soft. I buy them from Frame-a coin http://www.collectors-outpost.com/category/2900/ Do you think these are PVC free?
It depends on which ones you are using - they are selling both. Those they list as being vinyl have PVC. Those they list as unplasticized, probably, stress probably, do not. We have talked about this subject many times. Coin flips, PVC or otherwise, both have their downsides. I would never recommend them for permanent coin storage.
I don't know if its the same thing I recieved 2 silver dimes on Christmas from a family friend in a hard flip each has a little bit of blackish redish stuff on the cornes front and back, is that PVC?
It could be, PVC turns dark if it's left alone long enough. Post pics if you can and maybe we can help determine if it is.
I had a 1858 quarter start turning green on me also... had it in a flip from a coin shop that I purchased it from. I kept it in the flip for like a year... started noticing green on both sides. Acetone from a hard ware store you say... please post procedure....
What I do to remove PVC is buy 100% pure acetone, and then take my giant tweezers that have rubber on the ends, grap the coin by the edges, and then dip it in the Acetone for 10-15 seconds, sometimes longer if it doesnt come off.
Yes copper is at risk too, so are nickels. The chemical can form on any coin, even gold. And it can attack the copper or silver alloy in a gold coin, they are after all mostly only 90% gold. So even gold coins are not immune unless struck in pure, or very nearly so, gold.
