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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,262 |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
I've read through lots of forum posts and information online, and every post that I've read seems to conclude that the cardboard 2x2's *should* be PVC free.
On a whim, I ran the Beilstein test (copper wire, blow torch), and the two 2x2 cardboard holders I tested both tested positive (green).
I've got ~1000 unused of these things in various sizes. Do I need to toss the lot and move all the coins I already have in them to new holders? They've been in the 2x2 cardboard holders for at least a decade with no signs of green stuff on any that I've seen so far.
Thanks,
Baltika
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Welcome to Coin Community, Baltika. Quite the interesting question for your first post.  I'm not enough of a chemist to know whether the safer clear plastics used in 2x2's contain any halides or not. Never much worried about it past the "is this stuff crinkly or not?" test. This needs a larger audience, though, so we're going to move it into the Main Coin Forum where (hopefully, as we have a few) a CCF chemist will see and comment. |
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
 to CCF. I will be waiting for the pros to comment  John1  |
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Moderator
United States
188130 Posts |
I have never heard of a cardboard 2x2 that used plasticized PVC, but I am prepared to learn something here.
Dave mentioned the "crinkly" test. How does the plastic feel? Does it have a thick, slick, greasy feel or is is crisp and somewhat rigid?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
One of the problems with cardboard 2x2's. Never a manufacturers name on them. And worse yet is without that, and no method of where they came from, you just don't know what they really are. IF your flips are rather a recent purchase, SHOULD not be PVC. However you mentioned having them for over a decade meaning you've had them for over 10 years now and no problems so far. IF they were PVC and you had coins in them that long, I highly doubt they contain PVC. And too the test you made may be also in error. So many problems with possible PVC items but then no way to know who made them, where they came from, when, etc. My only suggestion is if your really worried, just dump all those and purchase new ones from a reputable dealer. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19943 Posts |
Quote:
Beilstein test Welcome to CC! This test is a non-specific halide procedure. It was positive, there could also be other halides present. Either way, I wouldn't want any halide to be near my coins as they are generally quite reactive. Better safe than sorry, I'd toss those and buy modern mylar holders. |
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New Member
 United States
13 Posts |
First, thanks for the multiple- In reply to SsuperDdave and jbuck: What does crinkly feel like? I've got no known-good (unused) 2x2's for comparison. I could pull the staples out of a couple from a coin show last weekend with coins in them, but they're unknowns also...I guess maybe they'd feel different. In reply to just carl: Quote:
And too the test you made may be also in error That's entirely possible. Would it matter if I touched the cardboard with the copper wire? Should I be touching the window part only? Quote:
One of the problems with cardboard 2x2's. I guess I'll write the dealer/date/etc on one of the 2x2's that I get as replacements if I can't figure this out. In reply to BadThad: Quote:
Better safe than sorry, I'd toss those and buy modern mylar holders. I'm leaning toward this, although I'd like to avoid it if possible - replacing all of these is going to be a huge time suck. Other information/questions: - I've cut the window out of a couple (US Quarter size). - The windows do not tear easily (if at all). - The windows stretch a minor amount when pressed between both forefingers and thumbs and pulled apart. They eventually snap under what I consider a moderate to significant amount of force. - If I place a (non-cutout) 2x2 window over a film canister and press down with my forefinger, the window distorts 1/4" to 1/2" before breaking. I'm left with a somewhat circular piece of plastic on my finger and a reasonably round hole left in the window. Thanks, Baltika |
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Valued Member
United States
75 Posts |
I have hundreds of BU coins (cents through dollars in copper, nickel, and silver, both 90% and 40%) that I purchased in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s that came enclosed in a wide assortment of 2x2 holders. They are ALL still in those 2x2 holders and not a single coin has a mark of any kind on it; each coin just as bright and brilliant uncirculated as the day I purchased it. Not to worry ... I believe all the older 2x2s are just as safe as the new ones are.
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Moderator
United States
188130 Posts |
Quote:
What does crinkly feel like? I've got no known-good (unused) 2x2's for comparison. I could pull the staples out of a couple from a coin show last weekend with coins in them, but they're unknowns also...I guess maybe they'd feel different. Yes, the best way is to have a known good example for comparison. Hopefully the ones from the show will work as a good example. |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
So, I finally got around to following up on this.
- I've tested several of my cardboard 2x2's, and they've all tested positive.
- I've tested a single cardboard 2x2 from a coin that I got from a dealer, and it tested negative.
- I also picked up a new box of 2x2's "Armored Brand USA", and several of those have also tested negative.
So it looks like I'll be replacing ALL the holders that I already have with new holders.
As BadThad pointed out, the "test is a non-specific halide procedure", and a green flash is indicative of chlorine, bromine, or iodine.
Thanks for the feedback.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Thank you for taking the effort to follow up. You've created an excellent archive data point here which will have teaching value into the future. Heck of a contribution for three total posts. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19943 Posts |
Quote:
Thank you for taking the effort to follow up. You've created an excellent archive data point here which will have teaching value into the future. Heck of a contribution for three total posts. Indeed! Way to start-off your CC experience!  Edited by BadThad
06/24/2015 2:59 pm
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,262 |
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Posted 05/15/2015 06:24 am
