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 Replies: 24 / Views: 4,130 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19963 Posts |
I would not store any coins inside wood....regardless of secondary protection. Wood outgasses and absorbs/holds moisture.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
As mostly already stated wood in any form is not a great place to store anything metal. All woods dry slowly and some more so than others. Ever go to a lumber yard and note the wet feeling of some of the woods. Wood too will absorb moisture unless well covered with something like Varnish. However, the downside of that is that Varnish too emits gasses as it dries. And for how long, depends on location, temperature, etc.
Different woods too emit different types of gasses as they dry.
All in all it is just not to smart to trust wood for storing coins.
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
The only two woods safe for Coins are Hondurus Mahogany and Ebony. Particle board and any form of Oak are death for coins!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
Quote:
The only two woods safe for Coins are Hondurus Mahogany and Ebony. Is there some place to find information confirming this is true? I know the US mint ships the gold Kennedy in a Mahogany case so I would assume it to be safe. Knowing that leaving coins exposed to the environment can be bad, wood can and will absorb moisture, plastics can contain PVC and metal will rust then aluminum must be the best material to use when storing coins. Is there a better alternative? |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2519 Posts |
I remember reading somewhere that wrapping a silver coin with aluminium foil can stop it tarnishing. I have no idea if it does or doesn't. Pure aluminium is more reactive than silver, but aluminium's (any aluminium that has been exposed to air) already got a protective oxide layer to stop it from reacting anymore. So according to my line of thinking, it would be the same as wrapping it with nothing.
Edited by Altaira
01/06/2015 3:18 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Is there a better alternative? Cardboard/mylar flips and food-grade ziplock baggies with the air pushed out of them before sealing. I'd hold silver near a volcanic vent, in a baggie. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1629 Posts |
I've kept my collection in a wooden Machinist's chest since the late '80s and haven't had problems with toning. I have always kept them in either 2X2 flips or plastic snap tight holders. The only time I did have a problem was when I left it out and somebody spilled something on it. The coins in the area of the spill developed a mold residue till I noticed the problem. Aside from that, all my coins are still as I purchased them, including proof mint products.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Welcome to Coin Community, AcesKings. Your experience is unsurprising. Well-cured and constructed wood is as safe a storage location as any, subject only to what it allows in through the lid. We could lose track of that fact when discussing extreme cases as we are here.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1388 Posts |
 AcesKings! Thanks for the input, everyone. I am now looking into other ways to store my collection. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
The Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint use Jarrah timber for the display cases, for their top end proof coins. |
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Valued Member
United States
166 Posts |
I eased my worries by keeping my coins in an antique coin cabinet that I fitted to accept slabs. The wood and finish are at least 80 years old. I have to believe its days of out-gassing have long passed.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1629 Posts |
Thank you all for the welcome! I can't say exactly how old my chest is, but would guess about 50 years if not more. The original poster said his desk was from around the 80s, so I would think any oils, vapors, etc. would be dispersed by now, and shouldn't cause any problems. I would agree with everyone here that newer wood items, or recently stained, or lacquered wood would cause problems, but with a desk of 25+ years this shouldn't be the case. Adding a desiccant in the drawers being used would help insure protection against any damage.  |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Exactly. I'm partial to old cigar boxes too, after testing with a sacrificial coin.
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
Oak whether seasoned or not is corrosive. It out gases fumes that corrode many metals. I know from experience: a set of lead soldiers stored in a Cutler Roll top desk.
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Valued Member
United States
166 Posts |
I did some research on this, and my findings agree with austrokiwi's comments. This is an excerpt:
"Oak and chestnut are extremely damaging woods and should never be used for storage furniture. True mahogany, walnut, and spruce are among the least acidic woods."
That said, I would think that coins that are slabbed are adequately protected, even though not 100% airtight, but that is just an opinion.
I read an interesting piece on the subject of coin corrosion regarding the general environment in which they are stored. The writer commented that he does not buy MS-Red coppers because he lives near the seashore. He believed that the climate was not friendly to coins. I live by the ocean myself, and am quite aware of the dampness and salt that is constantly present. So in addition to the choice of storage material, the climate where we live may also be a contributing factor in regards to corrosion.
Edited by Krusti-Koin
01/07/2015 05:41 am
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Replies: 24 / Views: 4,130 |
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Posted 01/06/2015 12:35 pm
