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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,311 |
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New Member
United States
43 Posts |
I have a 1909 vdb Lincoln Cent that I picked up about a month ago from my local coin shop. Was gorgeous full red, pin wheel luster, my pride and joy so to speak. I wearing cotton gloves removed it from the paper 2 by 2 and placed it into a harris plastic 2 by 2 like you get from hobby lobby. I have kept it and several other very nice coins put up in my bedroom. I just pulled it to check on it and it has gotten darker. Not pure red anymore, my 1950 d nickel, and my 1937 buffalo have been effected too. I'mfeeling stupid and devistated all at the same time. What can I do to stop this and prevent it from happening again. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Sounds like you have an excess humidity problem in your place. The only suggestion I can give you is: 1. Change the 2x2 2. Make sure it is for a Cent coin so not much empty space. 3. When closing it make sure no air or as little as possible inside. 4. Get yourself a thing called a Hydrometer. It measures humidity. If your area has over 30% all the time, that could be your problem. 5. Place your 2x2's in a sealable Zip Lock plastic bag. Also, push out as much air as possible. Good luck and let us know how it all works out. OOOPPPPPS. Almost forgot to say  Edited by just carl
04/28/2015 10:44 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Your first task is to learn where and how to store coins. Furniture outgases things from the glue and finish which are detrimental to coins. A simple flip just sitting there offers no protection whatsoever from atmospheric conditions.
So those flips have to go into something. Preferably a couple of layers of somethings, the final one of which is air-tight with a dessicant to dehumidify the container. But first and foremost, make sure their resting place isn't somewhere that's polluting the atmosphere around it. I've literally never owned a wooden desk (or a particle-board one) which didn't tone coins.
And Red copper is going to turn, if it wants, despite whatever you do unless you store it in vacuum. That's why I'll never recommend buying it.
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Valued Member
Canada
488 Posts |
I don't know if it makes a differance but when I buy something that has those little packets that are meant to absorbe moisture that say say do not consume on them I throw it in the folder or box I keep my coins in. I just figure it must collect some moisture and can't hurt.
I have not concluded if it helps and don't see that it hurts, but in theory it should help.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
to CCF. Quote:
my pride and joy so to speak. I recommend using an air tight brand capsule. Bob Levi, Your talking about a desiccant. They need to be changed out every so often because they hold moisture and when saturated start to release it. You can get the kind you dry out by putting them in the oven and they also have electronic kinds. John1  |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
I don't know if it makes a differance but when I buy something that has those little packets that are meant to absorbe moisture that say say do not consume on them I throw it in the folder or box I keep my coins in. I just figure it must collect some moisture and can't hurt.
That's the dessicant I was talking about, and they are imperative for coin storage. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
 I know your frustration. I had some nice choice bu Wheaties turn on me. but you can do things to help prevent it from happening. Air-tite holders , keep away from humidity , not in extreme temperature changes , and away from any kind of paper. (EASIER SAID THEN DONE) The paper can cause sulfur releases and can attack copper coins. Welcome to CCF. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
Sorry to hear about your coins.
As others have posted, storage is very important.
Another member on here likes to put Lincoln's in Air-titles,
then put the air-title into 2X2's. He then puts them into pages
for 2X2's.
I think if you only have a small number of coins I would do
Pretty much do the same thing, but put them into the
Air-tite, 2x2 then into a 2X2 box. Then put the box into
a large zip lock bag. I know this sounds like a lot, but
once you get the process down , it is pretty easy.
Of course keeping your coins in a humidity controlled inviornment
is a must, and the use of desiccant is always a bonus.
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New Member
 United States
43 Posts |
Thanks y'all, it looks like I am going to purchase some airtites.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
If you want your copper to stay where it is, use an Air-Tite holder and use multiple layers of protection, i.e. put the airtites in ziplock and the ziplock into tupperware.
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Valued Member
Canada
488 Posts |
Yeah, every time I get a new one I flip em out. Good to hear I'm doing something right!
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,311 |
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Posted 04/28/2015 10:46 pm
