Hi, I apologize if there is a clear and definitive post that answers this somewhere, I am new and didn't find a definitive answer to my question so I figured I would ask it here. I have a small collection of coins which are all in PCGS or NGC slabs, and all of these are stored in an Intercept Shield Box (which has slots for them). I am trying to figure out the best place to store this box, as currently it is sitting on a wooden bookshelf. I have looked for a clear answer to this question, and opinions seem to be varied - some say certain non-PVC plastics like Rubbermaid are OK while others are wary of them, and some say to use a safe while others say this is not a good idea. My collection isn't worth a crazy amount of money, so my concern at this point isn't burglary prevention, it is what is the best way to store the coins to preserve them indefinitely (or as long as possible). I know that I need to put a dessicant in the container with my Intercept case, but I'm trying to determine what exactly I should go with to put my Intercept case into. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
Welcome to the neighborhood, coach! I think there is a point at which the question becomes, "How much overkill is enough?" Personally, I think as long as you maintain a reasonable environment of climate control, there is no need to go any further. I live in Southwest Florida where the heat and humidity is always high, and I've never had a problem with protecting my coins and medals, both slabbed and raw. Chris
Welcome to CT. Rah Rah Rah and all that...now, for storage, something is better than nothing. Even a PVC container would restrict air and water movement, and that's A BIG THING. Snap-top plastic containers are great.
Welcome to CT. Bearing in mind that PCGS and NGC slabs are not impervious or airtight.... The best suggestion is the one that will keep moisture and temperature changes to a minimum. And yes there are as many opinions on this as there are collectors. After losing a couple of nice slabbed coins to the elements, I now put mine into a Ziplock bag and tuck that into a Tupperware box before they go in my safe. You want to use materials that do not leach chemicals. And products used for food storage do not leach chemicals. Anyway, that's my method and it seems to be doing the job.
I think you're already doing a lot of the right things. Chris' point about overkill is valid, but it couldn't hurt to put that Intercept box in a lidded Tupperware container, along with a desiccant. Or, use Randy's approach with a Ziplock bag. I assume it's stored in a climate-controlled area that's not subject to extreme temp changes or high humidity. The wood bookshelf may be less than ideal. Painted? Varnished?
What's the difference between the intercept box and the NGC and PGCS boxes?, they are what I use they work fine for me and I live in SW. Florida, I keep the cases with the rest of my collection in a steel encased storage suit cases with plenty of desiccants.!
They will be find as long as the temperature is controlled and they are not subjected to cold, heat and moisture like in a basement. Welcome to CT.
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and the information! The bookshelf is one of those cheaper ones that you buy in pieces and assemble, it's made out of something similar to particle board. So I think to be safe I'm going to go with a Tupperware and desiccant in addition to the Intercept box, and try to find a place in a closet to put it (the closet is on an air conditioned floor so I think the temp and humidity should be OK). Thank you again everyone for the words of wisdom!
Simple answer, an extra layer of protection is the difference. The IS boxes have it and the others don't. Intercept Shield material has been proven, (and not just by collectors but in scientific testing), to greatly reduce and even stop corrosion. And make no mistake, toning IS corrosion. No, as collectors we don't call it that and for many some types of toning is even very desirable. But toning is corrosion, there's just no way around it, that's what it is. The thing about toning is it's always a crap shoot, it may turn out to be beautiful or as ugly as a mud fence. So, for a collector, the question becomes, do I want to take that chance ? And the chances of it being ugly are a good bit higher than the chances are it will be attractive. Intercept Shield changes those odds, and greatly. It changes the odds from say 3 or 4 to 1 for ugly, to 10 to 1 for no change at all. That's the difference !
I could be accused of going to far, but this is my setup. Coins in intercept box, box in rubbermaid container, dessicant and sacraficial cents in container.
Yea Dave, be sure to rough up those coins with wire brush or similar, and burp those tupperwear or ziplocks. Nothing beat 100% copper for sacrificial coins corrosion collectors. Jim
That stuff is full of chemicals, so your plan to move the coins to another location is probably wise.
Storage & Protection: I was wondering if folks put their valuable coins and/or bullion in a gun safe (or other heavy safe) ? As I understand it, these are very thick and also very heavy (300-500 pounds or more) so 1 or 2 people won't be able to lift the whole thing out of your house empty, let alone with a few hundred more pounds of metals in them.
