Do I need a dehumidifier for slabbed coins?

[WinstonWare]

Hey Guys,

 

It gets pretty muggy here in Boston in the summer time. I'm wondering if I need to worry about my slabbed coins. I like their current state and don't want them to tone any more than they already have. Should I get a dehumidifier or small "Hydrosorbent Silica Gel" for my safe?

 

Thanks for any insight!

 

Winston

[TJ'S Coins]

Yes, humidity and temperature are two of the factors that accelerate the toning process. Protect your investment with at least the Hydrosorbent Silica Gel. It's inexpensive and worth the effort.

[physics-fan3.14]

I don't know where you store them, but if you store them in your house it shouldn't get too muggy. I am assuming you have air conditioning (although this is a stretch in New England). I live in Charleston, SC during the summers, and there are few places muggier than here. But inside, with the AC, humidity really isn't a big concern.

[WinstonWare]

Yes the important ones are stored in my bedroom which is air conditioned. In the winter time however my wife likes to use a humidifier for her skin. I looked at the Hydrosorbent Silica Gel and they are around 10 bucks. I think I'll grab one of those and throw it in the safe.

 

Thanks for the replies!

 

Winston

[Larry Dreher]

You might want to do a quick search on the subject of sakes. I seem to remember a discussion that some of the fireproof safes actually contributing to toning because of the material in them that makes them fire resistant.

[TomB]

I keep my slabbed coins in individual Intercept Shield holders that are then put into an Intercept Shield box, which holds ten individual holders. This is overkill but I am happy with it. My individual, raw coins are stored in Kointains and I have never had a coin turn. You and I live near each other so we should have the same experience with these.

[Architecht]

Sounds like a WYNK post in the making.

[TomB]

[WinstonWare]

Tom, that sounds like a plan I'll do that - thanks!

 

Architecht, I agree would be good to have a post on the best way to store ones' coins.

 

Edited to add - Tom, I'm particularly concerned about my toned coins. I know that you have some toned coins. Have they remained in their same state over the years?

 

Thanks, so much,

 

Winston

[James_OldeTowne]

I'd be worried. I have silica gel with my slabs - indeed all my inventory.

 

James

[WinstonWare]

James, If I use the silica gel and the intercept shield holders in my safe then my coins should stay in their current state (or, at least, change very slowly over the years)? Right?

 

Thanks, Winston

[Beijim]

I too live in the Boston area. I do exactly as TomB as regards the Intercept Shield slab storage system. In addition, I use Hydrosorbent silica gel products to keep the storage environment at low relative humidity.

 

If you go with the reusable Hydrosorbent cannisters, don't forget to periodically "recharge" them by baking in a 300 degree oven as detailed in the product instructions. This is key to maintaining their absorbency.

 

One final note. Current generation NGC holders are hermetically sealed. In theory this means that changes to external humidity should have no effect whatsoever on the environment inside the holder. I do not believe this applies to holders from any other grading service.

 

Beijim

[James_OldeTowne]

There are no guarantees of course, but I think that's about the best you can do, short of storing your coins in a vacuum!

 

James

[WinstonWare]

Right. That's the plan then.

 

Thanks James. Thanks everyone.

[MikeKing]

There are no guarantees of course, but I think that's about the best you can do, short of storing your coins in a vacuum!

 

James

 

James, my Aunt Gracie is visiting (she collects subway tokens) and she read this post while I was demonstrating the internet to her. She wants to have a word with you.

 

She says:

 

Oh James....you've got to be kidding! Why would I want to put my coins in the vacuum? It's too dirty in there.