Storage of proof coins

[Kipster]

Afternoon all,

Probably a simple question but one I think I should ask. I've just acquired a couple of proof farthings and wanted to check that these will be perfectly happy living in my cabinet? Being proofs do they need to be protected in any other way to make sure they remain in the condition they went in at?

Cheers.

[Coinery]

I can’t imagine for a second that a cabinet would do? I’d be thinking you’d want these airtight? I would!

[Kipster]

Yes, you're right thinking about it. Brain freeze my end.

Ta.

[Coinery]

45 minutes ago, Kipster said:

Yes, you're right thinking about it. Brain freeze my end.

Ta.

Don’t take my word for it, though, I’ve only ever had a few proofs in my life, ever! Let’s see what everyone else says, they’ll definitely know more than I do

The fields are ultra vulnerable to oxidisation but, when you come to think about it, there are a huge number of Maundy coins and proof sets that are really beautiful in their toned states! 
 

I still think I’d want to keep them ‘fresh,’ if you have a choice that is?

[1949threepence]

7 hours ago, Kipster said:

Afternoon all,

Probably a simple question but one I think I should ask. I've just acquired a couple of proof farthings and wanted to check that these will be perfectly happy living in my cabinet? Being proofs do they need to be protected in any other way to make sure they remain in the condition they went in at?

Cheers.

There are two schools of thought on this one. As Stuart says, there is an argument that they are better off airtight. Certainly they are very safe like that, although there have been whisperings about NGC not handling coins carefully, and leaving bits of detritus in the locked casing.

On the other hand there are proofs from over two centuries ago, which are still FDC. I'd say that if the proof remains unslabbed then its main threat comes from you the owner via careless handling, accidental micro saliva spillages through talking whilst handling, and the like. .

For reference I'm not slabbing mine, but I am in the process purchasing a new small cabinet dedicated to proofs and patterns, and I will be wearing a face mask and gloves when looking at them.  

[Bruce]

I also won't consider to slab my coins, unless it's going to put up for auction.  I will keep it in capsule to try to protect it from scratch etc, and then in an air tight box with desiccant, coz humidity is too high in hong kong.

[Menger]

3 hours ago, Bruce said:

I also won't consider to slab my coins, unless it's going to put up for auction.  I will keep it in capsule to try to protect it from scratch etc, and then in an air tight box with desiccant, coz humidity is too high in hong kong.

Desiccant - interesting.

I recently acquired a proof 1/3 farthing graded NGC PF66+*. I liberated it on arrival with a hammer - as I do all my coins. This is my first venture away from silver however and I too live in a humid climate.  I have wondered about desiccant - I would be grateful if anyone knows whether that is “coin safe” - or emits any kind of contaminant. 

[Bruce]

2 hours ago, Menger said:

Desiccant - interesting.

I recently acquired a proof 1/3 farthing graded NGC PF66+*. I liberated it on arrival with a hammer - as I do all my coins. This is my first venture away from silver however and I too live in a humid climate.  I have wondered about desiccant - I would be grateful if anyone knows whether that is “coin safe” - or emits any kind of contaminant. 

I think about the same when i first use it years ago.  The one I'm using is in form a small box filling with silica gel, and it is said can be stored with food together, that's why I give it a go.  However, I'm not 100% sure it is problem free or not, so would much appreciate as well if someone can advise if it is safe to keep with coins.

[Coinery]

Just for the record, here…when I stated airtight in my earlier post, I wasn’t actually referring to slabbing. Rather any means to keep them in their current state because, presumably, you wouldn’t want to turn them into something else from bad storage? Not every coin tones attractively, so I guess you run that risk unless you find a way to keep them as is!

For me I’d be looking at coin flips or capsules. 

[1949threepence]

6 hours ago, Bruce said:

I also won't consider to slab my coins, unless it's going to put up for auction.  I will keep it in capsule to try to protect it from scratch etc, and then in an air tight box with desiccant, coz humidity is too high in hong kong.

Living in an area with consistently high humidity presents a potential problem to coins, but I'd say your plan od using desiccant/silica gel is an excellent one, as it acts as a dehumidifier, taking moisture out of the immediate area, while not offering any contamination itself.

Humidity isn't a major issue in the UK as it only very rarely gets above 70% and most of the time is between 45% and 60%. It is a big problem in the USA, notably states such as Florida - hence this American ad relating to humidity and silica gel/desiccant, and coin storage, which I thought looked useful - link  

[Mr T]

I don't have many proofs but I think I have most of them in flips. I haven't checked them lately though.

[Kipster]

13 hours ago, 1949threepence said:

There are two schools of thought on this one. As Stuart says, there is an argument that they are better off airtight. Certainly they are very safe like that, although there have been whisperings about NGC not handling coins carefully, and leaving bits of detritus in the locked casing.

On the other hand there are proofs from over two centuries ago, which are still FDC. I'd say that if the proof remains unslabbed then its main threat comes from you the owner via careless handling, accidental micro saliva spillages through talking whilst handling, and the like. 

Interesting. I have several NGC graded farthings and one in particular (I think I may have mentioned on here before) has one of those little white crumbs of whatever on Victoria's chest. It's tiny but I notice it.  It isn't a proof so not that concerned really, but this new addition is an 1868 proof rated as R17, and I really don't want any grubby detritus attaching itself to the coin for obvious reasons.

The proofs I've bought in the past are usually dispatched in a small cellophane pocket inside a paper envelope, but that's obviously no use for long term storage. I have some coins in the Lighthouse capsules, but I'd want them to be quite a good fit to prevent it from sliding around inside it.

[Taikonaut]

On 6/17/2023 at 4:01 PM, Kipster said:

Afternoon all,

Probably a simple question but one I think I should ask. I've just acquired a couple of proof farthings and wanted to check that these will be perfectly happy living in my cabinet? Being proofs do they need to be protected in any other way to make sure they remain in the condition they went in at?

Cheers.

If your cabinet has thick enough trays you could put the coin inside a capsule.

[Peckris 2]

I'd say proofs in a cabinet are fine. They might tone (or not) but would remain FDC.