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Replies: 11 / Views: 5,045 |
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Valued Member
United States
450 Posts |
Is there something that causes edge toning in the old ANACS 'soap bar' slabs? I've seen several nice coins in these that have the same look. I picked up a Morgan in one of these slabs today, and it has the same type toning. I rather like the look but I'm not sure if it's safe to leave it in that holder if something is indeed gassing out.  
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Given that design happened when they were a direct subsidiary of ANA - or very shortly after - the only thought I'd have is they may not be as tightly sealed as their successors (understanding that no slab from a major TPG is airtight). The hard plastic is not capable of outgassing, only the paper could be a culprit and by then I would think they'd know that paper with sulfur content tones coins. That is "standard" toning progression from the typical toning sources regardless of slab. That coin is straight up beautiful with that color, anyway.  Preventing further progression should only be down to your personal storage routine from here.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5828 Posts |
 With everything he said, including how nice you coin is!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6478 Posts |
Waoh. Now that is such a nice toner morgan. Man! You make me jealous with that.
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Valued Member
 United States
450 Posts |
Thanks. It will be stored sealed in a safe with plenty of good desiccant. It's kind of an odd size to fit into any of the standard storage boxes. Is there a specific box for these and the old small PCGS slabs? Something more aesthetically pleasing than my gallon size zip-lock freezer bag...
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
If there is, I don't know about it but you could fit my technical knowledge of slabs into a thimble.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4587 Posts |
It's not the label or hologram there would be a noticeable bias towards it. Same deal with the external shell - it would be more uniform.
It's certainly possible that there is a tiny component of a sulfur compound in the plastic insert. But it would be very very tiny or the effect would be much more noticeable after 10-15 years. Some PCI slabs seem to have the same kind of toning. It might be different suppliers over time, too - you would need to correlate the slab s/n with whether the coin toned or not. The 18 digit barcode (plus check bars) and s/n 244xxxx is towards the end of the Amos Press usage of the swh during their ownership of ANACS. Apr2000-2005
It could also be left over from years in a paper bank roll before being slabbed. You see the same kind of toning from them (and some albums too)
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I'm not really sure what to think about it, BStrauss3, because regardless of where it came from this is the exact way you'd expect a little bit of environmental sulfur to seep in and gradually affect the coin over a period of years. Yes, the source *might* be from the slab or contents itself, but given the time involved and the potential number of different owners or even the change in atmosphere of one owner's surroundings over a long period of years, we may never know.
It's like this: One big volcanic eruption could change the atmospheric sulfur content a continent away. If you've ever lived in a place where a volcanic eruption somewhere colored your sunset, there was enough sulfur in your local atmosphere then to tone a coin. I've a feeling that local collectors in Europe might be in for a surprise down the road after the recent Icelandic eruptions if they didn't have their coins sealed.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1476 Posts |
Quote: I've a feeling that local collectors in Europe might be in for a surprise down the road after the recent Icelandic eruptions if they didn't have their coins sealed. Woah, I never even thought about that variable. 
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Valued Member
 United States
450 Posts |
Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I like the smaller holder size now that I've considered it. A halved 2 ½" by 2 ½" non-PVC flip in front and behind hold them securely in a standard NGC box.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
591 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Might be an idea to have a friendly talk with the slab manufacturers, and ask them why this phenomenon may occur, and how their current slab sealing designs may differ.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 5,045 |
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