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PVC coin holders....

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cheddar

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Jul 21, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/21/98
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Just a quick question that all you coin experts may know the answer
HELP...I have some proofs that are developing minute-small black
splotches on them and it seems to be related to the holders they
are in. Now...my question...is this from being in a PVC holder
or is an impurity that was introduced before the 2x2 was stapled shut?
By the way...the holders were bought in 1985.

Thanks for taking the time to help me..
Scott(the cheeseman)

cheddar

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Jul 21, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/21/98
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So how do I tell if they are PVC??Like I said..I bought them in 1985...
Thanks,
Scott(the cheeseman)

Soules wrote:
>
> could be both but you never put things in holders with PVC.
> John
> cheddar wrote in message <35B566...@erols.com>...

Soules

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Jul 22, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/22/98
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Bugwiger

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Jul 22, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/22/98
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I have a question.....when were mylar holders first made? Because I have an
ancient Japanese coin in a 2x2 holder (that my older brother bought when we
lived in Japan), but he got it during the late 70's. I don't want my coin to
rot! I dunno if it's PVC or not.

-Jeremy

PFDJR

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Jul 22, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/22/98
to
>Just a quick question that all you coin experts may know the answer
>HELP...I have some proofs that are developing minute-small black
>splotches on them and it seems to be related to the holders they
>are in. Now...my question...is this from being in a PVC holder
>or is an impurity that was introduced before the 2x2 was stapled shut?
>By the way...the holders were bought in 1985.
>
>Thanks for taking the time to help me..
> Scott(the cheeseman)

The PVC problem was well known prior to 1985. I first came across it in the
early 70's when I took up photography as a hobby. I store my 35mm slides in
album pages similar to the ones made for 2x2 coin holders. I learned from the
photo magazines back then to buy only non-pvc pages as the pvc can ruin slides
as well as coins.

I am pretty sure that all staple type 2x2s use mylar windows and have done so
for quite some time.

As for your "black spots", this is usually the result of a contamination prior
to being placed in the holders. A lot of times it is from spit. There is a
temptation to blow on a coin when placing it in a holder to remove any dust. It
is pretty hard to "blow" without spitting. This is something I also learned
from photography....never "blow" dust off a lens....you will probably spit on
it. That's why most experienced photogs carry "Dust-off"....a can of compressed
air.

PVC damage to coins is usually in the form of a greenish film that develops on
the surface of the coin, especially on silver coins.


Phil DeMayo
Coinmasters 1188
e-mail: fli...@snet.net

Aram H. Haroutunian

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Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
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There IS a test for PVC. Doesn't it involve heating a copper wire
until it glows, touching it to the suspect material, then placing it
back in the flame, and if PVC is present, it colors the flame- what
was it- green? There was an article in Coin World explaining the
process of testing coin holders. Anyone else recall the specifics?
Aram.
===================================
cheddar <che...@erols.com> wrote:

>So how do I tell if they are PVC??Like I said..I bought them in 1985...
> Thanks,
> Scott(the cheeseman)
>
>
>
>Soules wrote:
>>

>> could be both but you never put things in holders with PVC.
>> John
>> cheddar wrote in message <35B566...@erols.com>...

AaugustJ

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Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
to
If it was made in the 70's,it is probably PVC.You should consult an expert or
just on general principle,you should get a new holder for it.

AnswerMan2

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Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
to
>There IS a test for PVC. Doesn't it involve heating a copper wire
>until it glows, touching it to the suspect material, then placing it
>back in the flame, and if PVC is present, it colors the flame- what
>was it- green?
==========

This is correct, but it's important to ensure that the wire is completely free
of all traces of insulation. You don't have to heat the wire to glowing, just
hot enough to melt the plastic you are testing.
Alan Herbert - Contributing Editor, Numismatic Products - Krause Publications,
Inc.
"The world's largest hobby publisher"
answe...@aol.com || CTCU29A(Alan Herbert)@prodigy.com

Infoservks

unread,
Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
to
>
>>There IS a test for PVC. Doesn't it involve heating a copper wire
>>until it glows, touching it to the suspect material, then placing it
>>back in the flame, and if PVC is present, it colors the flame- what
>>was it- green?

Is there any other test that can be done without damaging or destroying the
material that is being tested?

Ken

AnswerMan2

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Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
to
>Is there any other test that can be done without damaging or destroying the
>material that is being tested?

======

All you need to do is touch the wire to the edge of the holder. This won't
damage to holder. You can also shave off a bit of the edge and burn it in a
flame. Neither will prevent the holder from being used.

Gary SDDCA

unread,
Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
to
If you want to protect your coins in one of the best 2x2 systems out there, try
the Kointains, and the Saflips, by E&T Kointainer Company. They have excellent
products, and I have had no problems with my stored coins which have been
encased for eight years now.

Good luck,

Gary


AaugustJ

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Jul 24, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/24/98
to
It is definetly PVC damage.You should buy new 2x2 holders immediately to save
your coins!

Serb1000

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Jul 24, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/24/98
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anyone know if those 2x2 hard plastic cases are good-the ones that snap shut-no
staples or anything. I sue those for my good coins

STAMPCO1

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Jul 25, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/25/98
to
Try Meghrig brand Archival quality 2 X 2 flips. They do not cointain neither
oils nor softeners.

Wolfgang Benninghoven

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Jul 26, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/26/98
to
PVC is one thing, plasticizers are another. I'm not sure that PVC is the
actual culprit, but rather the plasticizers associated with the
production of clear flexable coin holders. One way I was told you could
tell if there was any damaging material in your holders is to hold it
under an incandescent light at the right angle and you will see a rainbow
effect, sort of like the way a thin sheen of oil produces the same effect
on water. This may not be 100% definative in a all cases but if the
rainbow effect is present you for sure have potential problems.

Hope that helps.

Wolf

Daniel Masters

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Jul 26, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/26/98
to
My thoughts exactly, regarding this person's "black spots." It is not only blowing
on coins that will lead to black spots, but also talking or breathing near exposed
coins. If you need to handle uncovered proof coins it is best to refrain from
talking or laughing and hold your breath until the coin is covered with something.
All of this is especially true of red AE. The spots on AE will show up within
months.

Dan Masters

PFDJR wrote:

> >Just a quick question that all you coin experts may know the answer
> >HELP...I have some proofs that are developing minute-small black
> >splotches on them and it seems to be related to the holders they
> >are in. Now...my question...is this from being in a PVC holder
> >or is an impurity that was introduced before the 2x2 was stapled shut?
> >By the way...the holders were bought in 1985.
> >
> >Thanks for taking the time to help me..
> > Scott(the cheeseman)
>

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