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Lists => Terminology => Topic started by: friedsquid on April 25, 2008, 10:36:34 pm

Title: Can anyone explain the term "FOXING" and post any pictures that show it?
Post by: friedsquid on April 25, 2008, 10:36:34 pm
Is it a good thing or bad? How does it happen? Is it more common in older issues?
Title: Re: Can anyone explain the term "FOXING" and post any pictures that show it?
Post by: StormThief24 on April 25, 2008, 10:41:50 pm
If I remember correctly, they are brownish-yellow spots caused (I believe) by mold growth caused by the notes being kept in a moist environment like an attic. Therefore, it is indeed more common in older notes.
Title: Re: Can anyone explain the term "FOXING" and post any pictures that show it?
Post by: Ottawa on April 30, 2008, 12:38:43 pm
Foxing is very common on older notes from tropical regions, e.g., the Caribbean, Malaya/Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc. It is seldom seen on Canadian notes. It's due to the continually high humidity and high temperature in those countries which encourages mould and related organic problems to develop over a long period of time. Foxing usually appears as light yellow-brown marks (typically 1 mm to 5 mm or so in diameter) which are visible on both sides of the note. When holding the note up to a bright light the foxing spots often appear darker. I've also seen blackish foxing spots (and soft spongy paper) which constitute a more advanced and much worse form of foxing.

Take a look at eBay Item 190202015392 which is a rare Malaysian high-denomination $1000 note with many small brown FOXING blotches and spots, but otherwise in EF condition. The term "FOXING" is actually used in the auction description. I would have been interested in this note myself if it wasn't for the foxing. I've attached a high-resolution image of the note taken from the eBay site. If you download it and then blow it up you will see the annoying foxing spots very clearly. As far as I'm aware, foxing can only be removed by bleaching in water and that would ruin the note.

{http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293040/MALAYSIA$1000-IMAGE.jpg}