League badges - sealed vs. unsealed

[Misdreavus]

I have all of the league badges from Johto/Hoenn/Sevii Islands/Sinnoh (except the first Sinnoh badge for some reason, but that shouldn't be too hard for me to get). I'm considering making a display board with all of them on it. To do this, I'd need to unseal my badges. I have unsealed extras of some, but those are a bit scratched up. So, if I unseal my badges but still keep them in good condition, how much would they decrease in value?

I suppose this would also apply to the "odds and ends" badges, such as the badges distributed at Cities/States/Regionals/Gym Challenges, prereleases for some of the EX sets, JAA, and the "tournament winner" pins.

Thanks!

[mxrider]

think of it this way this way this is the best example an opened pack or cards and a sealed pack of cards people like factory sealed items a lot alot more than opened even if the opened is in awesome condition

[MattPL]

Originally Posted by mxrider

think of it this way this way this is the best example an opened pack or cards and a sealed pack of cards people like factory sealed items a lot alot more than opened even if the opened is in awesome condition

Well, you can't really apply that to cards, because if they were open, you would already know what you're getting.

But yes, you're right. Usually, people like stuff that is still sealed. So I'm going to say that they will be worth more sealed.

[waynegg]

Originally Posted by mxrider

think of it this way this way this is the best example an opened pack or cards and a sealed pack of cards people like factory sealed items a lot alot more than opened even if the opened is in awesome condition

Not true.

You also need to take this into account. The plastic baggies they are sealed in aren't acid free and will, over time, cause extreme damage to the resin covering the badge as well as to the metal backing plate, pin, and clasp. The damage could vary from discoloration, to erosion, to separation of the enamel all together. I have 2 sets from every season of the League and the older badges that aren't sealed and are otherwise well protected are in far better condition. This applies to cards as well, particularly the promos which come in the clear plastic packs; the package will severely damage them with enough time as well.

If someone were collecting these years down the road, they would be more apt to buy a mint opened badge or card than they would a ruined sealed one.

[mxrider]

^^sorry guys
seventeens

[MattPL]

Originally Posted by waynegg

Not true.

You also need to take this into account. The plastic baggies they are sealed in aren't acid free and will, over time, cause extreme damage to the resin covering the badge as well as to the metal backing plate, pin, and clasp. The damage could vary from discoloration, to erosion, to separation of the enamel all together. I have 2 sets from every season of the League and the older badges that aren't sealed and are otherwise well protected are in far better condition. This applies to cards as well, particularly the promos which come in the clear plastic packs; the package will severely damage them with enough time as well.

If someone were collecting these years down the road, they would be more apt to buy a mint opened badge or card than they would a ruined sealed one.

Does that include POP Foil energies? Because this is something that I never knew, and I'm interested to know a bit more about.

[waynegg]

Originally Posted by MattPL

Does that include POP Foil energies? Because this is something that I never knew, and I'm interested to know a bit more about.

It includes any item which is reactive to acids. Most plastics aren't affected by this. However metals, paper/wood products, ink, paint, resins, and organics are all prone to damage from the acid in PVC and other plastics. Yes the plastic the POP Energies come in is likely not acid free and will damage your cards over time.

If you do a google search, you will find all the information you could ever hope to know on the effects of non acid free plastics on collectibles.

[MattPL]

Originally Posted by waynegg

It includes any item which is reactive to acids. Most plastics aren't affected by this. However metals, paper/wood products, ink, paint, resins, and organics are all prone to damage from the acid in PVC and other plastics. Yes the plastic the POP Energies come in is likely not acid free and will damage your cards over time.

If you do a google search, you will find all the information you could ever hope to know on the effects of non acid free plastics on collectibles.

I wasn't even aware how plastics acted on these materials.

But that's probably because chemistry wasn't my strong suite, and I haven't been interested enough in plastic to google it up.