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