Best way to storage medals

[Borzadow]

Hi all!

I always think about improvement methods of storaging my collection. I was using many different tricks, but in my opinion the best are those plastic sleeves:



They're cheap and very useful. Also they are keeping medals in a 'right position' on a standings. Some of collectors saying that those sleeves are dangerous, 'cause moisture can build up in them... what is your opinion?

I have never problems with them, as I put them in a boxes and keep in a dry and dark places with temperature oscillating in 20-25 degrees.



But not all pieces of our collections are hide. Some of mine I put on a shelf for display (also in that sleeves). There are no moisture, but I'm not sure anyway to puting it on a 'free air'.

There's also a one confusing problem - ribbons that are exposed for UV are fading. Do you know any good tricks to avoid fading?

I'm planning to get in future a separate room only for display my collection. I want to furnish window (there will be no sun light with UV). I think that if there will be only a glow-tube, it will solve that problem with ribbons (and old documents as well).
What are you doing to solve that problems?

[Paul R.]

It mostly a personal choice on what way to store them is best for you. If you are investing in plastic holders for your medals just be sure to use archival plastic and not cheap plastic ones. The cheaper plastic holders (the non archival) out gas plastic fumes, and will in time damage your medals. Remember the humidity factor as well keep it within range. Moister can be inside the plastic holders causing permeate damage

[mike y]

Personally I like riker mounts, they can make for nice displays, and you can hide silica pacets in them to keep down moisture, but you have to be careful with them to. Anything "cheep" will in the long run cost you more money.

[Borzadow]

I don't buy any sleeves, but only those that are safe (even then it is cost only a few euro for several dozen pieces). Also I don't think that you may keep medals in them infinetely, personally I would exchange them from time to time.

[Redemption]

where can you get archival sleeves like the ones posted?

[Paul R.]

Over the past several years archival materials are gaining in popularity. You can find them in comic book stores, coin shops or conservation supply companies. I want you to beware that some comic book and sports cards stores that sell in acid free items bulk quantities in loose (by the big box full) are not always 100% archival cover sleeves. Some of these so call cheap archival sleeves are only half archival meaning the dangerous plastic is reduced 50% (if you are not sure ask a sales person or research the archival page company). By conservation standards that is not an archival page. Of course it cheaper to buy , but in the long run will damage your items. A few other conservation companies are
http://www.archival.com/productcatalog/index.shtml
http://www.universityproducts.com/
http://www.archivalmethods.com/
http://www.gaylordmart.com/
http://www.hollingermetaledge.com/

Just to be clear with everyone. I don't endorse any of these companies, and make to claims to the products that the sell. If unsure about any products as the sales person. I fine them helpful.