Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Publius2, post: 4980563, member: 105571&quot;]FWIW, here are my criteria for storage of both slabbed and raw coins:</p><p><br /></p><p>1)&nbsp; Paper labels and envelopes that are in CLOSE proximity to the coins are acid-free artist&#039;s paper.&nbsp; By &quot;close&quot;, I mean zero or one degrees of separation.&nbsp; For example, for a TPG slabbed coin, the slab itself represents one degree of separation.&nbsp; For a raw coin with any kind of container where the label is inside the container, that is zero degrees of separation.&nbsp; For things like 3-ring binders with vinyl covers and cardboard, the one degree of separation rule is satisfied by the coin holder.&nbsp; More than one degree of separation doesn&#039;t require any special protection measures.</p><p><br /></p><p>2) For raw copper coins that are red-brown or red, or brown but quite valuable, I take extra precautions.&nbsp; If the coin holder of choice is a cardboard 2 x 2, I use the Supersafe product which has an adhesive closure that is claimed to provide a more-or-less hermetic environment.&nbsp; How true that is may be a matter of debate but it&#039;s got to be better than a stapled 2x2.&nbsp; The Supersafe product provides one layer of separation from the cardboard and from anything else while a stapled 2x2 has zero layers of separation.&nbsp; Downsides are they are considerably more expensive and thinner than the stapled product.&nbsp; The thinness means that the surface of the coin sticks above the level of the cardboard to a greater degree than the stapled product.&nbsp; So more thoughtful means must be taken to protect the surface of the coin from inadvertent contact.&nbsp; For 3-ring binders, I insert a sheet of heavy acid-free paper between the sheets holding the 2x2s, and front/back covers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>3)&nbsp; Humidity control.&nbsp; I keep my coins in a de-humidified semi-hermetic space where the ambient humidity outside the coin storage space is kept fairly constant.&nbsp; So, the moisture &quot;leakage&quot; into the de-humidified coin storage space is reduced by virtue of the reduced vapor pressure potential.</p><p><br /></p><p>4)&nbsp; Relatively constant temperature.&nbsp; By keeping the coin storage space at a relatively constant temperature that is the same as the temperature of the ambient space, there is reduced potential for the individual coin holder to &quot;breathe&quot; due to temperature fluctuations.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>4)&nbsp; The coin storage space (safe, deposit box, etc.) should be &quot;aired&quot; on a regular basis to purge the build-up of any gases caused by the decomposition or out-gassing of the unavoidable materials that will do this over time.&nbsp;&nbsp; I recharge my dessicants about once a month and that is the perfect time to air things out.&nbsp; It&#039;s also a good excuse to visit your coins wherever they may be.</p><p><br /></p><p>Just my take on the matter from a mechanical engineer who spent 45 years dealing with environmental control.&nbsp; Your mileage may vary.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in