I have 3 coins set in cardboard holder without protection from open air and dust. To store them, would ziploc polyethylene bags be safe? I used these one.
I have 3 coins set in cardboard holder without protection from open air and dust. To store them, would ziploc polyethylene bags be safe? I used these one.
Since your 2nd picture shows the coins in cases and these cases in a bigger ziploc bag, I don't think you will have a problem but I maybe wrong & someone else can chip in.
I just want to say though, that I wouldn't store any coin (or banknote) directly in a ziploc bag b/c I don't know what type of plastic it is (whether it is PVC free). A lot of plastics are not. That's why we buy mylar sleeves & more expensive flips, coin holders, etc, at coin shops (which are PVC free).
I attended a 2018 RCNA workshop on the preservation of coins/banknotes. Of the 30 collectors who attended just about everybody had some nice coin (or banknote) damaged from poor storage. This was usually from storing a note in a book/white envelope (bleach from the paper) or from bad (acidic) plastic reacting with the coin metal. The museum curator was appalled at how many collectors had damaged coins/notes due to poor/cheap storage solutions. She shamed us into admitting that our collections were worth a lot more than the supplies needed to keep them safe. I would not encourage a collector to cut corners when it comes to properly storing coins or notes. Always try to err on the side of caution & get supplies from your LCS (or a show). Whenever I attend a show I always stock up on supplies.
The coins in the 1999 & 2000 set are "exposed". They aren't covered by anything, unlike with the Vancouver Olympics set. I don't cut corners either. When I found out the sheets I originally used for the coins and tokens were made in PVC, I changed them quickly. Luckly, they were used for 4 months only and I didn't notice damage on my collection. Since the Ziploc bag are in polyethylene I thought they would be ok for storage.
Forget to add I live in a small town and there is no coin shop. I had to manage with what Amazon.ca can provide.
Polyethylene won't hurt your coins on a chemical basis but if you throw a bunch of coins loosely in a bag you can think what will happen.
But just using it as a bag for packagings is save.
PVC is a plastic and usually not mixed with other polymers. What is problematic in the case of PVC are the added plasticizers, most often esters of phthalic acid and phosphoric acid are used which can degrade the polymer and over time leach out and cause damage to your collectibles.
I see. Another thing I can do for more safety is put the coin set in a PVC-free Staples protective sleeve for documents, then put that slevee in the Ziploc, but would that be too much? Hm.
I store my general world coins in these bags and don't have problems, however it is the brands I find are the issue.
If its a major brand like Glad bags or brought at a premium price at your supermarket, you should be okay - however I find many $2 shop/dollar tree - ghetto style hood shops, sell cheap unknown Chinese and budget brand bags which will have bad plastic construction. If you don't know the brand or it has bad English or box looks cheap - don't use them. One shop I saw a brand called “Ching Marie” and the bags inside were already turning green. Another was boxes of “Very best bag for foods” and the bags inside looked cheap and thin.
I only use “baggies” for my world bulk mix (Mostly muck metal coins from 1970 onwards and bulk duplicate coins like French Francs and USA dimes). All my good coins are in Mylar flips in proper albums.
It is the same with albums, quality ones and pages cost real money, but Trade Me is littered with cheap CHINESE plastic rubbish that is some PVC filled rubbish with bad English on a vinylette cover like “Coins books”, “Bestee collecta coin”, and “Most good album” - most are imported by Chinese junk warehouse sellers.
Basically if its from China, I will avoid like the plague.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
