Storage for RAM coins with packaging

[JeffH]

There are three basic things you can use

I say four. Xylene can sometimes remove staining that acetone hasn't (read between the lines -that implies try acetone first). And xylene is nasty stuff; only use in a well ventilated area -outside or with a fan. You can buy that at hardware stores as a paint thinner/solvent.

There is another organic solvent I have tried that works well on high grade (better than 75% silver content -1966 'rounds are 80%) silver coins. Can remove some verdigris -usually not much, but most things don't without damaging the coin- and often does remove a large amount of tarnish (black, sulphur contamination).

My suggestion is similar to others above; acetone followed by warm water (with a few drops of non-brightly coloured detergent) and a rinse in clean water. Then pat dry between a few layers of paper towelling.

If you want to try any of the esoteric suggestions just do it with one coin first to see how it goes.

[ausjack]

All good advice and yes I forgot to say pat dry, never rub coins as it will leave fine microscopic marks even if you can't see them with your eye you will see them under magnification and when storing put some of those little moisture bags in, can't hurt but make sure they're not touching the coins just to be sure.

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.

I'll post anything else I've forgotten as i'm a bloody sieve sorry.

Oh a cotton tip is good with WD and the like and just roll it don't drag, a bit of practice on the worst coins them move to the better one's.

[MinnieAb56]

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

[ausjack]

Original mint packaging can let air in so the coins tone and I'd be a little careful with timber as it might damage the coins as well but if you put them in 2x2's or saflip it gives them a little protection. You can heat seal saflips and Fulvio has said he has ironed 2x2's but you have to be careful.
One of the owners of the forum PP sell saflips and folders
http://www.thepurplepenny.com/saflips-coin-pages-and-albums,22.html
there are a few places like online coins in Lismore that sell supplies so just look up Coin Accessories
 http://www.onlinecoinsandcollectables.com.au/
And you'll find both PP and online coins on ebay along with many other suppliers
2x2's come in two sorts, staple or self adhesive and there's for's and against with both. Staple type people complain about the staples scratching other coins but I use pliers and squash them flat and other like the self adhesive one's but some say they can be a bugger and let go and stick to the coin and then you have to get the glue off your coin and some say they're good but it might also depend on how hot it gets where you are.

[trout]

Are the coins safe to be left in their original packaging eg the timber boxes etc

My Fine Silver Proof sets in the wooden boxes are as good as the day they were minted, The same goes for the coins that are still left in their clam shells.
As long as the capsule is air tight the coins should be just fine :good:

[Fulvio]

What is actually the best way to store them then please.

Heat-sealed in PP or BoPET. There are a number of options:

Standard 2x2 mounts are cardboard and BoPET (Mylar). Get the staple type and use a hot iron to weld them shut. Avoid the self-adhesive ones because they let go, especially with heavier coins.

Saflips are PP, and you can weld them shut like Trout does.

You can use PP pages, which all the quality ones are. But don't use PVC albums to put the pages in. Use PP.

The cheapest (free) alternative is to use recycled chip packets. They're a sandwich of BoPET with a metallised and printed core and about as oxygen and moisture proof as you can get. Sadly they're not transparent, but what do ya want for nothing?

For bulk coins, roll them up, put them in PP film and seal them in, then store them in PP containers with tight lids. Add oxygen absorber and Silica Gel sachets and they should be good for centuries.

We've had lots of discussions about storage here. Do some searching.

little moisture bags in, can't hurt but make sure they're not touching the coins just to be sure.

Heh, no need to 'be sure'. Silica Gel is Silicon Dioxide. Basically sand. Its the internal structure of the little balls that creates miles of surface area for the water to stick to. That's why its an ADsorber, not an ABsorber.

Notice the very strong lattice structure:

wooden boxes are as good as the day they were minted

It really depends on the wood though.

All wood is porous. So moisture will get into it and through it. Any wood that gives off an odor is outgassing. Like, say, cedar. Plus, particle boards are made with formaldehyde, which will outgas.

If the wood is dry and well-sealed, it should be OK. Especially if coins are in airtight containers, like your capsules. But if its something like an IKEA chipboard cupboard, not good.

Also, felt linings give off gasses as they deteriorate. Ditto for foam.

Xylene is nasty stuff

Which is why I don't generally include it. I also don't recommend thermonuclear devices for killing pests either. :diablo:

[ausjack]

I was thinking more about the bags them selves and keeping the papery stuff away from coins.

[robbiegal]

in a nut shell
it's the coin pages
they are reacting with the plastic

get yourself some non plastic coin pages after you give them a nice bath to freshen them up
it looks like mild surface reaction to me

PP has the fancy flips
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SAFLIPS-2x2-Coin-Holder-PVC-FREE-Coin-Flips-w-Inserts-COIN-SAFE-50-pack-Saflip-/201631036323?hash=item2ef22573a3:m:minxrlTuR8pkDaYKAHjzZjA

i use these pages but get them from a direct supplier in the US
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/75-BCW-20-Pocket-Pages-Sheets-for-2x2-Coin-Flips-Holders-Collector-Archival-Safe-/231552113220?hash=item35e994da44:g:VK0AAOSweW5VOARl

[kchan1111]

PP has the fancy flips
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SAFLIPS-2x2-Coin-Holder-PVC-FREE-Coin-Flips-w-Inserts-COIN-SAFE-50-pack-Saflip-/201631036323?hash=item2ef22573a3:m:minxrlTuR8pkDaYKAHjzZjA

I also heat sealed the saflips with a cheapo impulse heat sealer from ebay (~$30-40) rather than use tape or staples. :good: Learnt that from people on this forum.

[trout]

I wonder if it is possible to seal the staple type 2x2's using a heat sealer instead of Fulvio's Ironing method?
It is pretty much the same concept but would be far more practical than using an iron :ok:
I don't own any of the staple type 2x2's so I can't give it a go, Anyone with a heat sealer and the staple type 2x2's willing to try this out and let us know it is a viable option ??

[Fulvio]

I wonder if it is possible to seal the staple type 2x2's using a heat sealer

Nope, because an impulse sealer won't heat up the Mylar inside the cardboard. It probably wouldn't even turn on even.

[robbiegal]

it might just burn and leave ugly lines  

i still think that ironing a coin holder is way too weird for me
i'd most definitely burn the coin/s at some point

but loads of stuff that Fulvio reports on is again way too weird/complcated for me
but he has a cost effective approach and that is very worthwhile

[Basil]

I wonder if it is possible to seal the staple type 2x2's using a heat sealer instead of Fulvio's Ironing method?
It is pretty much the same concept but would be far more practical than using an iron :ok:
I don't own any of the staple type 2x2's so I can't give it a go, Anyone with a heat sealer and the staple type 2x2's willing to try this out and let us know it is a viable option ??

Just put a staple in an adhesive 2x2,extra cost over stapled 2x2 is chicken feed for better grade coins.

[Fulvio]

it might just burn and leave ugly lines

The first one I did, I applied too much pressure and left the heat on too long. I ended up with dented, yellowed cardboard. Which doesn't hurt the coin. Staying away from the clear window is a no-brainer, after all. :angel:

[robbiegal]

you evidently haven't seen me doing the ironing
being from a family of 8 kids
ironing is fast and furious or else nothing else gets done in the house!

no time for fiddly coin holders that don't  require ironing in the first place  IMO