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 Replies: 14 / Views: 4,497 |
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Valued Member
Canada
138 Posts |
I posted a similar question in the Canadian Forum a few days ago, but thought I'd also ask to a wider audience.
I store my coins in 2x2 flips - Leuchturn/Lighthouse Matrix self adhesive. These are listed as being free of PVC, acids and other harmful chemicals. I then place my flips in pocket pages that are likely PVC.
I've recently noticed that some of my coins are losing their lustre and going dull over the past couple of years. This seems to be happening to the coins that are in flips AND in the PVC pockets. The coins that are in flips but NOT in the PVC pockets have retained their lustre.
All the coins are stored in the same area, subject to the same conditions.
Is it possible for PVC to affect the coins even if they are protected in flips? Has anyone had a similar experience?
I've emailed Lighthouse and am waiting on a response (which I'll share here), but thought I'd ask for other input too.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7940 Posts |
I have had some coins in flips inside of vinyl pages for 45 years with no problems. But that's just one observation. I would have guessed substances in the adhesive to be more likely to be the culprit, but that's not consistent with your observations. It would surprise me if the bad actors in PVC could pass through the air between the page and the flip, and then permeate the rigid plastic in the flip (I think it's oriented polyester?), but ...  Edited by tdziemia
03/15/2021 10:28 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
So why do you store your 2X2s in PVC pocket pages?
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Valued Member
 Canada
138 Posts |
@tdziemia - I also wondered about the adhesive - I re-read Lighthouse's description and it specifically mentions the film is chemical free but doesn't mention if the adhesive is - it would be pretty disappointing if it wasn't. I also assumed the PVC couldn't pass thought the flips, but at this point it's the only thing I can think of that's different between the better coins that have not been in pockets
@Coinfrog - I keep my 2x2s in pockets for various reasons - helps me to organize them and see my missing coins, convenient way to access them, ease of display (my kids like to look through them), etc.
If you're asking why I keep them specifically in pockets made from PVC, I guess because that is what's available to me, and I didn't think it would be a problem if the coins were well protected in flips. I'm actually not sure the pockets are PVC, but they are soft flexible clear plastic so I assume they are. If the PVC pockets are the issue then I will obviously need a different solution.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19948 Posts |
Try an additional layer of protection. Personally, I use: 2x2>Airtite (high value coins)>plastic album pages>ziplock bag with desiccant and a sacrificial copper cent>tupperware
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7940 Posts |
Quote:
the film is chemical free but doesn't mention if the adhesive is OK, I am going to ask a question that I hope another forum member can answer. What is the plastic in the windows of the coin flip mentioned by @cedargrove? - If the plastic is "softener-free vinyl," which I see in some descriptions of flips, then the bad actors in the pages could potentially get into this plastic, and then pass to the coin. - If the plastic in these cardboard flips is Mylar (polyester), I am pretty sure it cannot. I think cardboard window-type flips may have either of these? |
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Valued Member
United States
356 Posts |
I am sort of in the same boat here and just read this post. I am in need of some good mylar flips and I just posted a new topic regarding this. Maybe it will help.
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Moderator
 United States
188213 Posts |
Quote:
Try an additional layer of protection. Personally, I use: 2x2>Airtite (high value coins)>plastic album pages>ziplock bag with desiccant and a sacrificial copper cent>tupperware Still looks good...  http://goccf.com/t/22081 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19948 Posts |
jbuck >  I forgot about that post! Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Ever notice that there is usually no info on the flips as to who makes them? I'd suggest you should change who you order them from.
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
Quote:
I forgot about that post! I never forget it. Keep it bookmarked as a great, affordable storage example. |
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Valued Member
Canada
138 Posts |
As a bit of an update, I took a closer look at one the dull coins, and it had a rough feel to it almost as if it were coated with something. I rubbed it vigorously with a micro-fibre cloth, and the dull 'coating' came off and underneath it was the original shiny lustre. As a note, the dullness has no obvious colour (e.g. it's NOT green). Any ideas what this might be? Before anyone suggests I shouldn't be cleaning coins, note these are modern circulating Canadian coins that I can find in my change, so I'm not concerned. Just want to find out what's going on. Thanks Here is a pic of a coin I rubbed with a cloth (it was NOT dipped)   |
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CCF Advertiser
United States
1533 Posts |
The PVC in the pockets can easily migrate to the 2x2s depending on humidity and temperature. The 2x2s are no where near air tight and PVC is highly mobile and reasonably volatile.
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Valued Member
Canada
138 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
143 Posts |
I've had 2x2 plastic disintegrate with a bit of pvc exposure - it was really unnerving to see the coins falls out. I just try to keep anything possibly related to PVC away from the coins. If you really dig flips, Guardhouse makes some excellent protective/storage boxes. I can grab a link if you're interested. Hope your coins stay shiny!
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Replies: 14 / Views: 4,497 |
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Posted 03/15/2021 10:46 am
