Large Coin Storage Solution

My concern with plastic containers was the possibility of harmful gasses that might be produced. This may be a completely off-base fear. I guess I don't know why I think this, maybe I read something somewhere and misinterpreted it. Do you store coins in air-tight (not the brand) plastic containers? Rubbermaid vs. others? Do you use silica packets?

Thanks,

Jim

In reality there is nothing wrong with using plastic containers of any type. Same with cardboard. The problem is where you keep them. For example notice the items preserved in the Egyption areas in the past. Due to the lack of air and mostly moisture, items are as they were thousands of years ago. If you use an air tight plastic container, note the air inside when you close it is or may be a problem. If you can vacate the internal air, no need for silica gel packs. With cardboard boxes they allow air and moisture to penetrate but also allow it to dissapate. You may want to look into those things they hae been adverising on TV lately where they put clothing in a plastic bag and suck all the air out. Without air and moisture, your coins should last for thousands of years.
Of course the problem with my last statement is ONE of us would have to be here in thousands of years to verify this. Sorry, that's me.
Some organizations that are concerned about extreame care in some articles have purchased air conditioned, air proof containers from Hoffman Enclosures. Many are used for Nuclear Power Plant documentation. Not sure if Hoffman Enclosures is the present name of the company but you could look it up on google. They are expensive but fantastic construction grade and about any size imaginable.

What about those food storage bags?
The easy seal kind that you suck the air out of to prevent food from spoiling?

Don't be an absentee coin collector...check your coins periodically for signs of PVC or corrosion and maintain them...the joy of collecting includes your good stewardship...lots of good tips on these forums for all of us!

Thanks for all of the comments. I think I will use Ziploc gallon size bags to hold as many sets as possible and then store those in Rubbermaid containers with silica gel packs just in case. And, as atlashealth mentioned, I need to check _all_ of them regularly. I usually scan one or two from time to time, check the commems and ASEs' but I should examine them all. The proof/mint sets and commems kind of take a back seat right now to my sets in albums which take a back seat to my coins in binders and slabs. Too many coins, too little time!

Thanks again,

Jim

You really don't need those silica gel pack things. If no air, no moisture so they are a waste. The only purpose they serve is to remove a small portion of moisture and if there is no air, no moisture. The primary thing is regardless of what you use in the way of plastic bags, push out as much air as possible.
I presently have 97 Whitman Albums in zip lock type plastic bags.
And BadThad I will check on those coins of yours in a few hundred years to see if you are correct.