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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,523 |
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
What is the best way to avoid toning?
Should the coin(s)be allowed to 'breathe', or is it best to seal them in plastic bags or ....?
What I have is some of my silver eagles are toning (not that I don't necessarily like the look). I think my problem is that I put them in double zip lock freezer bags, then put them in an old ammunition box that seals and is supposed to be watertight (I'm guessing there is a chemical reaction in the ammo box). The closer they were to the bottom of the box the more they toned.I'm guessing that I should get them out of the ammo box (already have).
Thanks!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
402 Posts |
I agree with air-tites..
Ammo boxes are bad because gunpowder contains sulfur and sulfur is known to toned coins.
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Moderator
 United States
187950 Posts |
How much air do you push out of the bags before zipping? They tend to keep things in as well as they do out. Any moisture or air pollutants are trapped in there with them!
Do you add a desiccant to the bags? If so, do you check it often?
I agree, don't use the ammo box. I am sure they seal better than the bags, so what's left inside could eventually enter the bags since it cannot escape the box.
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No longer with us
United States
207 Posts |
I agree with airtites but will 2 by 2's also work?
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New Member
 United States
14 Posts |
I did try to push all the air out, but I'm sure I really don't get all of it. Yes, I did put desiccant in the bags but probably didn't change it often enough. I have now taken them out of the bags and ammo boxes. I never really had any toning like this until I put them in the ammo box. I assumed that it did have something to do with possible residue in the ammo box.
Thanks for the responses.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
This all kind of depends on how many coins you are attempting to protect. If only a few, even a 2x2 could work. However, here is a test. Place your coin in a 2x2. Staple three of four sides, flatten the staples with a pair of pliers. Now put the 2x2 to your lips and blow into the 2x2. If you can, then it is obviously not an airtight container. Now instead of the staples, use a clear tape on the three sides that would open and attempt the same thing. NO air gets in so this is basically an air tight container now.
If your talking about an Album, place it in a plastic Zip Lock type bag, push out as much air as possible. I've been doing this for many, many, many years and no toning, no tarnishing, no corroding. I've got over 100 Whitman Albums in such bags.
One person stated they use one of those vacuum system plastic bags you see adveritsed on TV.
If no air can get to your coins, they will not tarnish.
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
I think my problem came from putting the ziploc bags into an ammo box. Never had any problem before I did that.
Edited by bartputnam
02/06/2008 1:45 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1360 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I think my problem came from putting the ziploc bags into an ammo box. Never had any problem before I did that.
This too depends on the type of ammo box. If brand new the wood itself may contain waterproofing chemicals that would leak into anything on the inside. If a used for ammo in the past, the inside of the box may contain traces of Gun Powder. Many Gun Powders still contain Sulfur so this too would effect the coins over a long period of time. However, something is still wrong. The Zip lock bag must have had a hole or just was not sealed properly. Again, if no gasses can get to the coins, they will never, never be effected.
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Valued Member
United States
328 Posts |
If you don't want them to tone, and you can afford it, slab them. Otherwise, use air-tites. Don't use ziploc baggies, and definitely don't put them in an ammo box.
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Valued Member
United States
168 Posts |
i purchase the slabs from a great dealer in MO-USA. his prices are fairly reasonable...i like the slab protection. he says it's wholesale, but I'm not sure...the slabs costs 1.40 each. let me know if I'm paying too much
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If you don't want them to tone, and you can afford it, slab them. Otherwise, use air-tites. Don't use ziploc baggies, and definitely don't put them in an ammo box.
ODD. I've been using Zip Lock Bags since they came out. Previously I used ordinary freezer type bags but had to tape up the ends to make them air tight. I've been doing things like this for well over 50 years and NO toning, NO tarnishing, NO corroding, just the exact coin as it was when I first started. I've had some coins in Whitman Albums, previously in folders, since about 1950 and in plastic bags. NO PROBLEMS. The main thing is to push out as much air as possible.
There is nothing wrong with ammo boxes either. If the coins are protected by a plastic bag, no air, gasses, etc can attack the coins. You could put a coin over a Sulfur rich burner and if the gasses can not get to the coin, no problems. AND a Zip Lock Bag with the air pushed out is safe. If I'm wrong it will be noticed in about 1,000 years and then I'll let you know.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,523 |
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Posted 02/05/2008 6:28 pm
