Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 12/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: How do I keep somethings to last forever?  Is there something that apply to all?

ANSWER: Hi Henry,
Are you asking about coins? The best way is to put them into air0tight plastic holders. These are specially designed out of inert plastic which will not react with the surface of the coin in any way. Being air-tight will prevent corrosion and patina from covering the original surface.
In the old days, collectors used to coat their coins in a thin layer of clear nail polish, which had much the same effect but is not a good idea today.
Thanks for the question! =)

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QUESTION: And paper money?

ANSWER: Hi again,
Paper money is a little more tricky. There are special rectangular inert plastic cases made specifically for bills. However, for long term storage, and especially if you want to preserve it forever, the bills should also be protected from light. Over time light will cause the inks to fade. This is actually the same reason why people can go to the National Archives in D.C. and look at the original Constitution, but there is absolutely no flash photography allowed.
In order to do this, you can simply keep the plastic holders inside a solid box or album that will not let light through. Or you can take some tinted film, like that used for tinting car windows, and simply cut and stick panels of it onto the paper money holder.
If you have any more questions please ask.
Thanks again! =)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you know the steps that apply to all things?
eg. what steps to take to preserve and store things to last forever or the longest possible.  Are their steps similar and universally shared.  For example,

1. make sure the materials being stored can last.
2. put them in things that last forever.
3. make sure those things last forever,etc.

Answer
In general, there are only a couple of rules that would apply universally.
You always want to keep things away from moisture, air and dirt. All of these things will corrode over time. Light is much less harmful, but does have an effect over extended periods of time.
As a general rule, you want to store things in a cool, dry and dark place. The individual objects should be housed in inert plastic, never metal (which causes oxidation/rusting) or paper (which contains acids that will corrode and discolor objects).
Glass would actually be the best medium for storing anything, but since that would be very costly and impractical for a wide variety of objects, inert hard plastic is your best choice. Like glass, this type of plastic will not decay even over thousands of years.
Thanks again! =)