I just a read coin book that was stating that almost all coin holders contain PVC, even the 2x2 ones and the reason why dealers use them is, they're not expensive and they flip the coins before the coins inside get any damage. Is this true, and what coin holders don't have pvc?
SAFLIPS are expensive, and crack if flexed a fair number of times, but they are fantastic for long term storage. If you won't be handling these a lot, like dealers customers would, I recommend them. For anything I don't plan to submit for grading, I staple cardboard 2x2 holders around them. SAFLIPS can be bought on eBay . . . usually about $12 for 100 flips delivered. - Mike
I use BCW brand flips, but these are also PVC and can cause unwanted effects to some coins over time, though seem to not bother uncleaned, mint state coins much. If you are looking to store circulated coins with patina, try to go for mylar rather than vinyl.
There are PVC free flips and coin storage products xGAJx. Yes, dealers use pliable flips but you are supposed to remove them from those flips when you get them home and put them in something PVC Free. I buy PVC free flips pretty cheaply, maybe $40 for 1000.
I think most if not all cardboard 2x2s available today use Mylar. I use Saflips, which are also Mylar. How old was that coin book you were reading? That's an important bit of information to keep in mind.
Don't be afraid. 2x2's have mylar which simply soes not contain PVC. PVC is a softening agent that makes plastic pliable and soft. Ever smell a new shower curtain or child inflatable pool? That's the PVC agent you're smelling. the only 2x2's or 1.5x1.5's I know of that would have had PVC are not "traditional 2x2's but plastic "flips. You know, the kind that have two pockets? I have had coins in 2x2's for 30+ years with absolutely no evidence of PVC damage.
The term "2X2" can refer to the totally plastic transparent type or the cardboard/mylar ones. The first type can be (1) PVC 2x2 ( with plasticizers), or (2) PVC 2X2 (with low or no plasticizers), or (3) 2X2 of non-PVC, non-plasticizers, such as mylar or hard plastic snap holders, or (4) 2 X 2 Cardboard support of mylar film with a hole in the cardboard so both sides of the coin can be seen through the mylar. I think the book was lumping everything into 2 categories, PVC or no-PVC, when it is the plasticizers that produce the most damage over long term storage
Yes to everything every one has said. I think I read it from 19Lyds about avoiding the shower curtain smell. The brand SAFTFLIPS sells directly on vCoins and when I did a little shopping around, that was the best bargain. (These are for the flips that have two pockets not the cardboard kind that gets stapled.)
No, PVC is the plastic matrix, plasticizers such as phthalate esters or acid linked components are between the plastic units to provide the flexibility. Without plasticizers, PVC is hard ( such as white pvc pipe) and doesn't damage unless it is heated way above any normal coin storage temperature. The plasticizers tend over time to migrate to the surface and adsorb water to make an acidic goo , which when contacts metal ( such as coins) causes corrosive processes. The 'new shower curtain" smell does occur with high level plasticizers ( usually chinese products) , but may not be noticed on the low level holders.
Every time I walk into a Harbor Freight store, I get knocked over by the smell of plasticizers in their pvc products.
Is there any interaction from PVC flips with plasticizers and clay poker chips, or is this something that only affects metals?
The possibility would be there if the chip was not yet fired for hardness, and if coatings ( glazes) were light. A well glazed ( clear silica coating works well) high fired clay, would be unlikely to be affected by the plasticizers. Most clays contain some alkaline minerals which would react to the acidic plasticizers if they came into contact. I assume the chips are fired ( hard) and have some kind of glaze, coloring on them. If so, time/handling would have to make small cracks in the surface coating to cause problems. For my curiosity, is there reticulation ( cracks) in the surface of your oldest chips ? And among chip collectors is it permissible to use a sealer on them?
There are no cracks because a cracked or broken chip has no value to a serious collector. There are cases where a drilled hole, similar to what is seen on a coin, is present. This was a practice used to void chips and to take them out of circulation. The inside of the hole would need to be addressed based on what you said. Another method to void unwanted casino chips was to notch the chip's rim. Similarly, these too would require attention if kept in the wrong flips. Although cleaning is an acceptable process for chips, I have not heard of anyone resealing them. Usually a light coat of baby oil or something similar, is applied to prevent the chip from drying out and bringing back the sheen. Excess oil is removed by patting it dry with a soft cloth. It helps enhance the colors as well.
