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 Replies: 18 / Views: 1,439 |
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
Hi Folks, I am working on a Barber half dollar collection 1904 - 1915. These are solid good to very good circulated. As a choice I have them in a Whitman blue folder. Old fashion type. I keep the folder in a ziplock freezer bag to keep out air and any humidity. * I heard that keeping this folder in a ziplock bag may not be good. The plastic may contain sulfur? Can anyone tell me if this is bad? And if it is, are "inert" air tight bags available for this? I presume that people that collect vintage comic books have archive safe bags/sleeves? Any help appreciated. Just started getting back to this project. George |
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Valued Member
United States
130 Posts |
The plastic bag has PVC, which negatively affects silver ( and non silver) coins, I wouldn't do it.
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New Member
 United States
16 Posts |
I just saw the BCW archival safe bags for Readers Digest magazines. These may work, but are not airtight per se. These are 6 x 7-5/8 with a 2"flap.
Any opinions?
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Moderator
 United States
187446 Posts |
Quote:
* I heard that keeping this folder in a ziplock bag may not be good. The plastic may contain sulfur? If this is the Ziploc brand or similar kind used for sandwiches or leftover pizza, it is okay to use. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Coins in G-VG condition hardly need to be stored in any sort of air-tight packaging.   to the CCF! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
FWIW, having collected coins for almost seventy years now, I'm a BIG fan of wooden enclosures. My man cave is virtually littered with wooden chests and smaller cabinets with drawers. My earliest chest, circa 1860's, is walnut, having 13 drawers and a key-lock door. Within the safe, I utilize cigar boxes. Since cigars can stay fairly fresh within, I reasoned, "Why not so, coins?" After many years, I've yet to notice any contamination on a single coin. I'd also note that the lower level man cave is a cooler and slightly damper environment in general.
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
I would be worried about the damp, but I cannot argue against your reported results. Do you make use of desiccants and/or a dehumidifier? If not, I have to assume all that wood is doing the job of soaking up the moisture or otherwise keeping it from condensing on the coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
@jbuck .... No dehumidifier in this room, but one runs in an adjacent area. My results are telling. The bulk of my coins are early coppers, large cents and 1800's tokens. I suspect that silver is more resilient to humidity than softer copper.
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
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No dehumidifier in this room, but one runs in an adjacent area.  |
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
The main reason for putting the folders in bags is humidity. It will keep the humidity out. As for air tight, well we all know the older Whitman Folders are not archival safe. So keeping the air away from them easily enough, may slow any environmental effects interacting with the folder.
Even though the coins are VG. They are uniform and present well. I would like to keep them looking as they do. There is conflicting information online as to use or not use normal Zip Lock food bags.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1509 Posts |
I don't know about ziplocks, but I store my Barber Half Dansco album in the Dansco protective slip case. Then store that in my safe with rechargeable mini dehumidifier. Works great
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
For god's sake, old silver coins in G-VG condition could be buried in your couch for years with no change in appearance. Or left outside on the porch over the winter. Their appearance will not change.  |
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Moderator
United States
94636 Posts |
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or leftover pizza really? is there such a thing? |
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
I've had Morgan silver dollars that were relatively pristine. Several of them now have black carbon spots on them because of either not using archival storage material, and or exposure to normal humidity changes which triggered this.. This took place over a long period of time. At least 20 years. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
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The plastic bag has PVC, which negatively affects silver ( and non silver) coins, I wouldn't do it. If the coins are in an album, in the bag, is PVC still a concern? I thought it was mainly direct contact that caused PVC damage. |
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
Quote:
The main reason for putting the folders in bags is humidity. It will keep the humidity out. As for air tight, well we all know the older Whitman Folders are not archival safe. So keeping the air away from them easily enough, may slow any environmental effects interacting with the folder. Quote:
There is conflicting information online as to use or not use normal Zip Lock food bags. I will say it again, they are fine. They are made with low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). There is no PVC or plasticizers involved. Quote:
If the coins are in an album, in the bag, is PVC still a concern? I thought it was mainly direct contact that caused PVC damage. The plasticizers (what makes normally rigid PVC soft and supple) can breakdown the PVC and out-gas. When in an enclosed space, those gases like to react with whatever surfaces it can find. |
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Replies: 18 / Views: 1,439 |
Posted 08/14/2024 1:44 pm
