Plastic Flips For Storing Medals - A Question

[TracA]

I have a question about those plastic flips that the medals that we purchase often come in (see pictures below). 

 

I also collect ancient coins, and the conventional wisdom is that one should store such coins in archival plastic flips that do not contain PVC, as the PVC can react with the coin metal. An archival flip is very stiff and brittle, whereas a PVC flip is soft and to a certain extent malleable. 

 

When I search online for archival flips in which to store medals, I come up with absolutely nothing.

 

Is the concern about flips containing PVC not an issue with medals?

 

Thank you!

 

Tracy

 

 

[Farkas]

22 hours ago, TracA said:

I have a question about those plastic flips that the medals that we purchase often come in (see pictures below). 

 

I also collect ancient coins, and the conventional wisdom is that one should store such coins in archival plastic flips that do not contain PVC, as the PVC can react with the coin metal. An archival flip is very stiff and brittle, whereas a PVC flip is soft and to a certain extent malleable. 

 

When I search online for archival flips in which to store medals, I come up with absolutely nothing.

 

Is the concern about flips containing PVC not an issue with medals?

 

Thank you!

 

Tracy

 

 

I’ve always kept mine in the soft style one pictured above, I’m not sure why there is a difference in attitude/concern.
I’ve never considered why ‘inert’ material isn’t a requirement for storing medals but now I’m gonna have to check it out…

 

🍻

[TracA]

Thanks, Farkas. Let me know if you find something out.

 

All the best,

 

Tracy

[Marcon1]

Hiya,

 

As a user of plastic flips for my medals I think it has to do with condition.

If you have coins which are UNC or even PROOF, you want to keep them that way.

Any loss of condition due to storage will mean loss of value with coins.

With medals it is less the condition (although we all want the best condition possible) but the story behind the medals (i.e. the man/woman who received it, the action for it and  the rest of it's history).

I've noticed that silver medals do start to have a green hue when stored in plastic flips.

But a soft wipe with silver polish removes that without damaging the medal.

 

Regards, Marcon1.

[TracA]

Hello Marcon,

 

Thank you for the input. Over time I've researched this a bit more and posted the same question on the WRF. Was provided with the name of two companies who sell such storage bags/flips for medals. Unfortunately I can't recall the name of either, and I'm currently on vacation and far away from my reference materials. When I return home I'll post the names of the companies.

 

All the best,

 

Tracy

[TracA]

I am finally back home. The two companies that I referenced above on September 6 are Uline and Gaylord Archival.

 

Tracy

[ChrisKelly]

The medal pouch in the first post looks like those widely available in the U.K.  Their American counterparts are much the same, except that the "pocket flap" is squared instead of rounded at the corners.  My experience has been that these PVC pouches leave a slightly sticky, mildly discolored film on the medals, if left stored for an extended period.  I don't think it does any damage, but it does "stain" the inside of the pouch.  The PVC gets brittle over time, and tends to split at the bottom.

 

Here's an alternative:

 

Sources:

 

https://www.lighthouse.us/protective-pouches-for-medals-and-insignia-up-to-3-12-90-mm-in-diameter-pack-of-50.html

 

https://www.lighthouse.us/protective-pouches-for-insignia-up-to-2x4-50x100mm-pack-of-50.html

 

Edited December 4 by ChrisKelly

[TracA]

Chris,

 

Thanks for the links! That is what I was looking for but could not find. I wound up buying an archival alternative but the shape and size are not exactly what I want. 

 

I wish that the Lighthouse 2 x 4 pouches were 2.5 x 5, but I think that I can make the 2 x 4 work. I will order some this weekend.

 

Thanks again, your assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

All the best,

 

Tracy