Question regarding bags and medals.. help please!

[Sepp45]

Hi to all! I saw this photo while I was looking on the 2012 SOS show gallery. There's a good medal collection, but what got my attention was the fact that they were all inside plastic bags.

I remember reading here many times about the bad recommendation of using plastic bags or ziplock ones to store your medal collection.

So.. what's the final word among collectors and experts? Any opinion is welcome

Regards,
Sepp.

[Paul R.]

Hi to all! I saw this photo while I was looking on the 2012 SOS show gallery. There's a good medal collection, but what got my attention was the fact that they were all inside plastic bags.

I remember reading here many times about the bad recommendation of using plastic bags or ziplock ones to store your medal collection.

So.. what's the final word among collectors and experts? Any opinion is welcome

Regards,
Sepp.

I hope that you conducted a forum search on this topic. It has been discussed several times over the years that I have been on the forum. Storage bags/pouches are made of either plastic, polyvinyl, or Mylar and are available most anywhere. What I am finding is that a lot of people are choosing zip lock type plastic food bags for storage. Those food bags are ok for the short term, but not the long haul. These types of bags are food safe for about 3 years and that about it after three years these bags will start to determinate.
<O</O
Keep in mind there are plenty of imported plastic storage bags/sleeves that are not 100% archival. These usually don’t mention the word archival... These usually say safe for storage photos etc. My conservators advice is to buy only 100% archival safe. Why mess with something that not archival safe? Yes, that can cost slightly more, usually a $1.00 or $1.50 more. Simply buy storage bags knowing that they will keep your item safe for years to come.
<O</O
I know that may people disagree with bag/pouches being archival and that’s ok. I’m offering you a conservator’s point of view... As I say these are your items in your collection to do with whatever you see fit.<O</O

[Sepp45]

Hi Paul, thanks for that good reference you made about bags and medals. I kind of "freaked out" some months ago after reading somewhere here about the danger of ziplock bags (I had my medals inside them). So, I took them out and placed them on a display case, filled with 3 o 4 anti humidity bags.

Thanks again, I learn something new here everyday

Regards,
Sepp.

[Paul R.]

I forgot to add to my last posting. For ideal storage keep humidity between 43%-45%, 24/7-365. You can also use a small silica packs also in side your display. Just remember to dry them out every month or so to keep the active. Humidity is enemy #1.