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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,408 |
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Moderator
 United States
23503 Posts |
I welcome all responses
I know the correct answere is "0"
What is an acceptable range of humidity that coins can be stored in with out causing damage to them.
I live in a humid area.
I keep my coins in temperature controlled conditions,
I store silica packs with my coins.
Other than sending my coins to my many friends on the forum who live in Arizona-
What is the groups, thoughts or FACTs ons the correct storage of coins.
Remember some coins are in 2x2x some in airtights, some in the "mint packaging.
This can apply to coins from any country, other than coins reclaimed from shipwrecks.
Have at it, and let's see what answers the group has. rggoodie
aka Richard
"catch em doing something right"
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
2078 Posts |
I think it is also a question of can condensation occur So how close are you in the worst moment of the year to 100% moisture ( I was at 95% last week ) Second question how much sulphur dioxide (SO2) and other noxious chemical components are present in that moist air The best solution would be an airtight container with silicagel and a nitrogene athmosphere blanket like they put on chemical storage to avoid explosion or fire hazard ( no oxygene no fire in general ) Vacuum sealing will only work for a few years ( I had copper vacuum sealed relays on my 1200 watt amp and replaced them with japanese gold relays  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1529 Posts |
rg....you can always sent them "home" here for me to look after them for you...[:p] Being wayyyyyy out in the wop wops, at the rim of the Great Sandy Desert in the north west of WA, humidity is never a problem....less than 5% the whole year round. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
Richard, I think you're doing about all that can reasonably be done to protect your coins from environmental damage without going to expensive extremes.
From my own experience, I've learned that 50% humidity and below tends to be considerably less reactive (damaging) to metals (coins and firearms), wood furniture, leather, tobacco, medicines, and anything else which responds to humidity. This cutoff of 50% seems to be a fairly sharp point in that effects slightly below it are relatively low compared to effects only slightly above 50%. Why this is so escapes me since logic and science tell me that it should be a linear progression.
Humidity levels below 50% are not consistently found in Florida, upstate NY (the whole NE actually) in summer, shoreline and coastal areas especially in the deep South, and the Pacific Northwest, to mention a few. Come to think about it, consistent humidity below 50% might only be found in the Southwest, particularly here in Arizona. I cannot speak for the middle parts of the US. But, I sure do appreciate the dryness here in AZ - it's great for my sinuses!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1203 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by Morgan Fred
Richard, I think you're doing about all that can reasonably be done to protect your coins from environmental damage without going to expensive extremes.
From my own experience, I've learned that 50% humidity and below tends to be considerably less reactive (damaging) to metals (coins and firearms), wood furniture, leather, tobacco, medicines, and anything else which responds to humidity.
Come to think about it, consistent humidity below 50% might only be found in the Southwest, particularly here in Arizona. I cannot speak for the middle parts of the US. But, I sure do appreciate the dryness here in AZ - it's great for my sinuses!
I would have to agree with you on the amount of protection Richard is already giving his collection, and any further protection would be very expensive for no more protection that would be gained. As for Arizona being below 50% humidity and dry...well all I can tell you is that around these parts (Wyoming) the last several years, even the horned toads have started carrying water bottles. The big difference that I can see between Arizona and Wyoming is the temperature. You guys are always at least 30 degrees hoter than any place here in this state. I guess that is why Wyoming is known as "God's Country". Edited by OldDan
10/17/2005 1:55 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
3730 Posts |
Here's a quote from Old Dan: "The big difference that I can see between Arizona and Wyoming is the temperature."
Right Old Dan, and guess what's between (well, sort of) Arizona and Wyoming? Colorado! Pretty dry here in western Colorado. I would be glad to take charge of any member's collections for "safe keeping!"
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Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by OldDan
I would have to agree with you on the amount of protection Richard is already giving his collection, and any further protection would be very expensive for no more protection that would be gained.
As for Arizona being below 50% humidity and dry...well all I can tell you is that around these parts (Wyoming) the last several years, even the horned toads have started carrying water bottles.
The big difference that I can see between Arizona and Wyoming is the temperature. You guys are always at least 30 degrees hoter than any place here in this state. I guess that is why Wyoming is known as "God's Country".
Up until yesterday, we were seeing 90s and 100s with 10% humidity (it's always more humid in my travel trailer due to respiration, cooking, plants, etc, so I was measuring about 30% - 35% most of the time). Then it started raining and outside humidity went through the roof while inside it climbed to 55%. After the rain quits tomorrow, it'll quickly go back down to single digit humidity outside. If Wyoming belongs to God because of the temperatures, to whom does Arizona belong? (At 114F two weeks ago, I can guess.  ) |
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Rest in Peace
United States
954 Posts |
Brst protection against moisture and air is to seal them air tight and them keep them out of sunlight.
catman
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Valued Member
United States
458 Posts |
Howdy Richard, Good question being that you and I live less than 20 miles apart. I keep my "stuff" in a heritage gun safe. Within this monster I keep all my valuables, coins, GUNS, (except for 1), knifes, jewelry etc. I also looked into this issue many years ago when I was a member of CW. Most of the guys then stated that keeping your stuff "dry as possible" was issue, besides keeping it out of the sun. After much research, and reading over the internet, I decided to use the "silica gel" method. I bought this product called "hydrosorbent dehumidifier" from CW store. I bought the biggest they had. In this case it was a 430 grams silica gel part#SG-450. I choose this over a safe dehumidifier simply because of cost and I did not want an electric one in my safe plus the cost of running power to safe, AND the cost was insulting. The other attractive thing bout this product is that it is "reusable". When the middle circle turns "pink" you put the bag in the oven, cook it for 3 hours and it "reactivates the bag full of silica gel"--Any ways so far thru the couple of years I have been using it, seems to be doing the job--  |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,408 |
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Posted 10/17/2005 08:27 am
