Yes those bloody sleeves, I got mine from the local news agents and never again as they go all hard after a while as well. I got caught when I started and a few years later I looked at my coins and the majority of they were stuffed so now I use either 2x2's or saflips.


Thanks everyone.  I'd best get onto eBay then as I have to lot to move lol
Are the coins safe to be left in their original packaging eg the timber boxes etc

Yup, looks like PVC to me. And the adhesive on the Cellophane tape doesn't help either.


Why do they sell these damned things for the coins then?   So disappointing.  What is actually the best way to store them then please.

Quote from: 'Fulvio' pid='97245' dateline='1473234515'

Quote from: 'MinnieAb56' pid='97235' dateline='1473231143'humidity while they were in storage for two months.

Two months seems a bit short.

To bring it back on-topic, I'm guessing they were in PVC containers of some description. A lot of bags, pages, etc from that era were PVC, and it will definitely destroy your coins as described, especially in the presence of moisture.

PVC is a hard white plastic, as used in pipes. To make it soft and clear, they add plasticisers. These leach from the plastic, and combine with air and the water it contains to make an acid paste which eats the surface of whatever was stored in the container.

It cannot be reversed. The best you can hope for is to remove the surface contamination and the sticky residue, and to slow down or stop further degradation. But underneath, the surface will be pitted and permanently damaged.

Additionally, whatever you do to try and remove the gunk can make things worse. There are three basic things you can use:

* Acetone
* WD40/RP7
* Olive oil

Whether they will help will depend on the severity of the affliction. You may alternate them, perhaps repeatedly, but don't leave the coins submerged for months, and don't put multiple coins in the bath together, as they could react with each other and make things worse.

As AJ said, don't rub. You may use a toothpick to pick away encrustations, but be very gentle and stay away from unaffected parts of the coin.

Regardless, when finished, a good rinse, in warm soapy water and perhaps distilled water, dry thoroughly, and seal in Polypropylene (PP or BoPP) or Mylar (BoPET). One is better than the other at keeping Oxygen out, and the other at keeping Water out, and both are safe.

[attachment=3547] This is a photo of one side of the coins

Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='97239' dateline='1473232520'It's good you're posting :good:
Verdigris or "the green death" can be caused by many things and oil from our skin is one and poor storage doesn't help.
We normally don't advise to clean coins but if it's to preserve the coin for your collection there are things you can try depending on what's on the coin, acetone if it's PVC damage, glue or things like that or a good soak in olive oil or a WD/CRC type spray for other things like verdigris.
I just did a search using "cleaning coins" and this is what shows up so there's a few threads to look at.
https://www.australian-coins.net/search.php?action=results&sid=5cd16a1ec323e6238bfe61fe996e04b0&sortby=lastpost&order=desc

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Make sure you give them a good wash in warm soapy water afterwards and don't rub the coins or you'll leave minute scratches and people will be able to tell the coins have been cleaned and this will devalue them as most cleaning of coins does.

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Thanks ausjack, they're currently in plastic coin sleeves and are sealed with tape.  I'll remove them and get onto following your instructions.

This probably isn't in the correct section but I don't usually post so hoping its ok this once.  I have been entering my coins onto a new database after moving back to Australia from New Zealand and have just pulled up a pkt of Silver round 50cent pieces..... They appear to be green (can't remember the term for it)  They have always been stored in safes but we've been back here a little over six months and am wondering if its from the humidity while they were in storage for two months.