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 Replies: 12 / Views: 6,005 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2764 Posts |
Hello everyone,
I am wondering what will happen to my coin, if I leave my quarter roll in a tube and put a cotton ball in it to absorb the moisture? Will the cotton ball damage my coin?
Also, should I keep the roll in it's original paper wrapper or not?
Thanks
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2177 Posts |
Hi and welcome to the forum. I have no idea about the cotton ball question. It was suggested to me (and rather sternly) not to keep coins in their original paper wrappings as it may damage the coins. Rather place the coins in a plastic roll holder.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3233 Posts |
My initial thought is that the cotton really shouldn't do much to the coin unless it had very high grade surfaces. Even then it might be fine. You have more to worry about when it comes to the environment that you're storing the coins. Low humidity is good.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2269 Posts |
I don't think cotton balls would do any damage. The gloves made for handling coins are made of cotton.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2764 Posts |
Thank you all for your input.
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Valued Member
United States
173 Posts |
The cotton balls themselves should not hurt. I'm concerned about the cotton ball collecting and holding moisture (humidity). Plastic coin tubes are not air tight in the same way that Air-Tite coin holders are. Like was said earlier, LOW constant humidity is best.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1840 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2764 Posts |
Hello Snowman,
Can you elaborate on dessicant (ie: what/how is it better than cotton ball) because this is the first time I heard of dessicant. Pardon my lack of knowledge.
Thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
882 Posts |
So its not a good idea to keep State Quarters in their original rolls? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
581 Posts |
Concerning the cotton. A couple of comments. As someone else said, if the surrounding area is dry, there is much less to worry about. Secondly, why not use a quarter on the end you don't care about - that way if there is any damage because of surface contact, it'll be on a non-important coin. For State Quarters in paper rolls. Depends. If they've already been gone through, then I would put them in plastic. If they are OBW (Original Bank Rolls), then you probably want to keep them that way since they might be worth more someday if they are untouched in their original rolls. But a discussion of this is a whole other thread. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1840 Posts |
My bad; the spelling is actually desiccant. Desiccants are typically an inert silica gel that absorbs moisture (like the little canister in a bottle of pills that says "Don Not Eat" on the outside). The commercially available desiccant for gun safes is used to keep damaging moisture away from guns but can be used to protect just about any moisture sensitive product. Many are even "rechargeable". Just throw them in the oven for a few hours and they're as good as new. Here's a good example that is similar to what I keep in my safe: http://www.brent-krueger.com/silica...ource=googleIn my opinion it is a much safer and reliable alternative to cotton balls. |
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Valued Member
United States
76 Posts |
I would agree with snowman that desiccant is the way to go. Pretty cheap, or you can find a little packet if you buy a wallet or something!
Sorry to be off-topic here, but Snowman, I must know: what is that cool coin in your avatar? And where can I get one? Thanks...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I've been using plastic rolls for coins for possibly 30 or more years. Not even sure anymore since they have been there so long. I do not put cotton or anything in them. I try to use up all the space with the coins that are supposed to be in there but if there is any room left I add a token coin of some type just to eat up all the room. Not so much as the air, but to stop any rattling of the coins. If you put a piece of tape around the place where the top meets the tube, no air will get into the tubes. Occationally I do open a roll from the 60's or 70's to see if any changes. Nothing ever has happened yet. Of course that is only from 30 or 40 years of usage. Who knows what will happen in another 100 years. I see no need to put in cotton or anything else. Not sure of the purity of cotton balls either. They are not manufactured the same as cotton gloves so unless you know how they are made I would avoid their use on coins. Also, note even if you find how one manufacturer makes them, another may do it differently and the results may be not be advantageous to your coins. I suggest you put any rolls of coins in those plastic rolls.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 6,005 |
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Posted 06/18/2007 9:13 pm
