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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;calcol, post: 2974023, member: 77639&quot;]While putting &quot;bared&quot; copper cents in a box with coins is helpful in scavenging reactive gases like hydrogen sulfide, the process depends on the reactive gas molecules hitting and reacting with the sacrificial coin or coins before they hit the more valuable coins.&nbsp; A better way is to surround the valuable coins with reactive copper so that the reactive gases are forced to contact the sacrificial copper before they can ever reach the coins.&nbsp; This could be done with copper plates, foil or screen, but the easiest way is Lighthouse Intercept boxes.&nbsp; This technology was patented by Lucent, and the patents can be read online.&nbsp; The lining of the boxes consists of copper particles embedded in conductive carbon.&nbsp; Although the patents have expired, I think only Lighthouse markets the technology for coin protection.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you are concerned about the Lighthouse box lining becoming exhausted, you could put a shiny penny inside the box as an indicator. Depending on the other components mixed with copper, presence of surface contaminants, temperature, and humidity, it can darken due to reaction with oxygen alone. So, a change in color of an indicator cent doesn&#039;t necessarily mean it&#039;s reacted with nastier gases, like hydrogen sulfide.&nbsp; Generally, methods of getting rid of oxygen (inert gas purging, vacuum, oxygen absorbers) are considered too onerous or expensive for most collectors to use.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you put items that can generate hydrogen sulfide and other nasties inside the container with your coins, attempts to scavenge them before they reach your coins will be of little use.&nbsp; Common villains are some paper and cardboard products.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cal[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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