FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Coin Photography, Conservation and Storage => Topic started by: Virgil H on June 03, 2023, 04:18:22 pm
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I store my coins in archival flips (from Forum) in the Lighthouse cases with either 4 or 10 2" x 2" trays that store 15 coins per tray. I live in a humid area and feel it would be helpful to put desiccant packs in the cases. Does anyone have any recommendations on 1) how much might be needed per case and 2) a good brand that are rechargeable? This just seems like a good idea. It is funny because I also have cigars in a humidor, but the coins need a dry atmosphere.
Thanks,
Virgil
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I just bought a tiny dehumidifier for my home office and I keep the door closed when I'm not in it. Would this also be helpful in keeping the humidity down?
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I honestly don’t know Virgil. My home is climate controlled and it’s never been an issue.
There are various options made for firearms owners to put in gun safes, perhaps start there?
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Thanks, Ron. It isn't an issue for me, either, as far as I can tell, but I was looking into it just as a preventative measure. There are tons of options on Amazon, food grade and all different sizes. I will probably order a pack of some of those. My house can get pretty humid at times when we open windows and turn on the whole house fan. It can be so bad, we have to just shut windows and turn on AC, more for humidity than the heat, although it is the two combined that make it uncomfortable with just the house fan. My house is old enough that, when built, it didn't have AC and I live in the Deep South. The house fan is great for delaying turning on AC in the spring.
Virgil
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I store my coins in archival flips (from Forum) in the Lighthouse cases with either 4 or 10 2" x 2" trays that store 15 coins per tray. I live in a humid area and feel it would be helpful to put desiccant packs in the cases. Does anyone have any recommendations on 1) how much might be needed per case and 2) a good brand that are rechargeable? This just seems like a good idea. It is funny because I also have cigars in a humidor, but the coins need a dry atmosphere.
Thanks,
Virgil
It's easy to find bulk dessicant (hygroscopic or deliquescent material) you can cycle for re-use, the silica-gel kind that changes color as it absorbs moisture from the air. To recharge for re-use, just heat using either a microwave oven or toaster oven or etc. You can put some in paper coin envelopes to make your own 'packets' and keep several of them in closed 2x2" boxes of coins in flips. Buy it by the pound or kilogram, easy to find online. Some is blue and turns pink showing it's time to re-heat it, some is orange and turns green. When heated after absorbing moisture, the color goes back showing the absorbed moisture is gone. I had a pound of orange silica-gel and used only a few ounces but it lasted years.
Another choice is white calcium chloride lumps, 'dri-rite' sold in hardware stores. Not easily re-usable, but very cheap and effective. Put a little in a plastic tupperware container and poke a few holes in the lid, then set nearby. Don't try it in paper envelopes though. It becomes watery, then dispose and start over with fresh.
Both are relatively non-toxic but read follow directions. Dessicants are cheap simple ways to prevent air-moisture effects, especially for bronze coins, as long as everything's together in a closed box. Whichever you use, keep the spare portion completely sealed until needed. Lye may be used in chemistry labs because it is extremely effective at absorbing moisture from air but it is very unwise for household use or around coins because it is very corrosive and toxic.
PtolemAE
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Thanks, PtolemAE, great advice.
Virgil
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What did you end up going with?
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Ron,
None yet, LOL. I have been lazy. I will probably go with the packets of food grade that change color. I will be using small packets when I buy them. The variety is almost overwhelming.
Virgil