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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,690 |
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Valued Member
United States
393 Posts |
I've been storing my coins in 2x2 flips. I have the clear plasic type that a label can be put in the back pocket, and the coin will be put in the front pocket. I have a dark blue, plastic, Safe-t box that holds all of my flips. The coins have been stored this way 10-12 years.
I recently took the coins from the safe to look at. The silver coins have severely tarnished on the edges close to the coin label. It's very unsightly. I feel confident the label paper is acidic and causing the problem.
I'm sure I've lost some value of my coins because of this. I have 2-4 silver coins that are in clear capsules and are in perfect condition. I don't like to store them this way because they can't be labeled. Can you guys suggest a proven way to store the coins so they won't get damaged over time? Thanks, guys.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6514 Posts |
What a bummer. Sorry for your discovery. Stuff like that has to be heartbreaking. I don't have much experience in long term storage except for Whitman and Dansco albums. Both of which have served me well. There are others here that will chime in soon with some sage advice.
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Valued Member
United States
266 Posts |
I bought these flips called Saflips that are made out of Mylar. I also bought one of those heat-sealing machines. After I put the coin in one pocket, I seal it closed. I use the other pocket for a label. I also put quite a few coins in capsules. In some of my capsules, I've noticed some tarnishing around the edges but most are OK. For my bullion, I just put them in plastic tubes. I don't care as much if that tarnishes. But I don't see alot of tarnishing there either.
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Moderator
 Australia
16805 Posts |
For silver coins, the thing that causes unsightly black toning - usually called "tarnish" - is not acid or moisture, but sulfur. Something in your storage system is emitting sulfur.
It might be the paper that you're using for backing cards. Is it coloured? Coloured paper tends to have more sulfur than white paper. Taco Bell serviettes are notorious for turning silver coins dark.
It might be the "dark blue, plastic, Safe-t box" itself. If it's a box designed for storing food or general storage, rather than an archive-quality box designed for storing documents or valuables, it might be emitting al kinds of sulfurous gases.
It might be something else placed in the safe. Rubber is high in sulfur and can outgas quite a lot of sulfurous vapours if left alone in a sealed container like a safe.
It could even be the safe itself, if it has plastic or rubber liners or components.
As for alternatives: using a heat-sealer to completely enclose the flip would work. Personally, I only use flips for ancient coins or other coins that are too odd-shaped or thick to fit into a standard cardboard 2x2.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6514 Posts |
Nice educational post there Sap. Thank you.
Check out my counterstamped Lincoln Cent collection: http://goccf.com/t/303507 |
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Valued Member
 United States
393 Posts |
Thank you guys! I really appreciate the help.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1613 Posts |
I encounter a very similar scenario where mine went from bright shiny mint state to dull mint state. Some even began developing green spotting. Acetone helped to some degree, particularly the later, after which they were transferred to adhesive cardboard 2x2's. These I prefer over the staple variety for the full seal guaranteeing an almost air-tight storage.
ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2280 Posts |
Dansco albums are great, as well as individual capsules. For my lower tier coins I use cardboard 2x2.
You realize when you know how to think, it empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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Valued Member
United States
442 Posts |
Older clear flips used to be vinyl. Which can cause problems. Like the dreaded green slime. Some of the cheaper ones still are. Only meant for short term storage. If you want to continue to use clear flips, make sure they are "archival" quality.
Could be air getting in through the top of the flip where it folds over. Sealing it like Happy said might solve that problem.
I use the cardboard 2x2 and write the coin info on the cardboard edge. Although with a dollar sized coin, there isn't a lot of room.
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5177 Posts |
I don't like using carboard/mylar 2x2 for storing coins. It looks cheap and ugly.
For low cost coins, raw coins in an album would be OK for me. For higher value coins, I suggest slabs or square coin capsules (e.g. Quadrum from Lighthouse). These will have plenty of space for a small label with information about the coin.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,690 |
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Posted 10/10/2021 2:33 pm
