James Bucki PVC damage on coins results from improperly storing coins in soft plastic flips or other plastic coin holders containing PVC. The PVC chemical in the flips interacts with the coin's metal, creating a slightly acidic reaction, which causes residual deposits to appear on the coin's surface. November 17, 2022 By Lance Tchor - Founder and Co-President, WINGS ® Coins LLC.… PVC and coins don't mix Otherwise known as polyvinylchloride, PVC is found in many different plastic-based.
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What Is PVC Damage on Coins? How to Remove It
Posted on 4/12/2016 Residue caused by PVC holders can often be safely removed by NCS conservation. If left untreated, this residue can permanently damage a coin's surfaces. The phrase "PVC residue" can strike fear into the heart of any numismatist. While such residue is a major concern, not all hope is lost when a coin has been contaminated. June 4, 2004 10:13PM Thanks Mike. I'm happy to report that the coin is finished soaking, and all the PVC residue came off, and there is no damage to the coin's surface. This was caught in time. This coin was sent to me by another board member who had it come back from PCGS in a bodybag for PVC. PVC damage to coins? Discussion in ' Coin Chat ' started by fretboard, Dec 7, 2009 . fretboard Defender of Old Coinage! I've heard about pvc damage to coins and I've never personally come in contact with it, is my bottom holder in this pic the type that will cause the damage?? Whitman holder? What Does PVC Look Like? How Do I Remove It? PVC Damage can be a blue-ish green, gray or white color. Copper is most vulnerable, followed by silver, gold or platinum (Susan Headley, coins.about.com ). If you see PVC on your coins, throw away all plastics that touched it. Keep those coins away from your collection so it won't spread.
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How to Remove PVC Damage from Coins
The damage to coins contained inside coin holders made with PVC is often irreversible and causes coins to lose much, if not most, of their value. Why would PVC ever be used anyway? PVC was popular in coin holders during the 1970s because the chemical allowed plastic coin holders to be pliable. I found the gentle application of Pure Isopropyl Alcohol (or Rubbing Alcohol) will soak away most of the green, very often with no sign of it having been there other than a rather attractive tone to the coins. Just because you can't see it. doesn't mean it isn't there - Anon. PVC is short for polyvinyl chloride, a popular and widely used plastic that has countless industrial applications. In most of these applications PVC's qualities are completely benign. In fact, using this plastic for coin flips is OK, too. Where the problem lies is that such storage is suitable only for the short term, say, less than six months. The PVC will come out of the plastic and collect on the surface of the coin inside the PVC-laden holder. If this residue is allowed to sit on the surface and fester long enough, it will eat into the surface of the coin resulting in a certain type of environmental damage known as PVC etching. Even for new coins, PVC residue can be bad news.
PVC Damage Up Close & Personal! Coin Community Forum
The reaction between PVC and coin metals (especially coins stored in hot, humid conditions) has left many coins with pernicious and permanent PVC damage. And not only does PVC damage the coins it. PVC is the acronym for polyvinylchloride, the plastic that is commonly known as vinyl. Why is vinyl dangerous for collectables? Because it degrades over time. The plastic itself breaks down releasing hydrogen chloride gas, which can cause microscopic pitting on the surface of coinage metals.
PVC plastic has been and still is used for coin flips, pocket pages, coin wallets, and pouches. The common belief is that the green or blue residue on coins stored in vinyl is PVC. In fact, the residue is not PVC but the result of the interaction of the chemicals with the [metals] in the coin alloys. PVC can be professionally removed from the surface, with little-to-no damage to the coin, if caught early enough. PVC can ruin virtually any type of metal. Your best option is to go with the hard plastic, as PVC is added to make plastics flexible. Mylar flips are the best option on a budget, but obviously the safest bet is through certification.
PVC Damage on coins YouTube
PVC flips were popular decades ago before anyone knew any better. However, overtime, the damage to coins became apparent. These Chile 1968So coins were shipped from Santiago and some coins are still sold in their original holders. In this video I demonstrate a couple of ways to remove PVC damage from coins using Acetone.The two coins cleaned in this video are the first two I have ever.
