Coins In Plastic

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by kc_hhsl, Jun 4, 2011.

  1. kc_hhsl

    kc_hhsl New Member

    We have all seen coins in the clear hard plastic … like their floating. Not sure what type of plastic it is but they are there.

    Anyone know if there is a way to get the coins out – easily.

    I put one in a dirt bank one time – moved back about 100 yards – and cut loose with my deer rifle. Hit it and it broke in two major pieces with the coins still embedded. Whatever that plastic is I’m impressed.




    KC
     
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  3. oval_man

    oval_man Elliptical member

    It's a synthetic resin (like Lucite or Perspex). It will melt, if you're not worried about damaging the coin, but otherwise there's no "easy" way to remove it from anything, as far as I know.
     
  4. PennyGuy

    PennyGuy US and CDN Copper

    Do a search for threads, lots of info. I use a band saw myself.
     
  5. Lonestar

    Lonestar New Member

    Yeah I've found that a band saw is probably the easiest way. Cut it right out.
     
  6. CAL

    CAL Member

    Is plastic resin a recommended way to encase a coin?
     
  7. PennyGuy

    PennyGuy US and CDN Copper

    If the coin is of no significant collector value, maybe just a memento, as you will never be able to reclaim it.
     
  8. Iceman57

    Iceman57 Junior Member

    There is no way to remove it
     
  9. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    It can be removed but it normally isn't worth the effort to do so. So no it isn't a recommended way.
     
  10. EgCollector

    EgCollector New Member

    Most probably the type of plastic is an epoxy resin material ..... try to make a small cut with a saw where the coin is and then place it in the fridge..... freeze it and then use a hammer to break it where you made the cut to propagate the crack..... let us know what happened
     
  11. CAL

    CAL Member

    What if somebody is more interested in encasing a coin in an airtight, transparent environment - and aren't interested in ever removing it?
     
  12. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    Then it really ceases to be a coin then. If you permanently alter the coin making reversal impossible, then it ceases to be a coin, same as if you had melted it.

    To the OP, interesting quandary. I have seen such coins, but never thought how to remove them. I would try to find out what the plastic is, and see what dissolves it. Many things can melt plastic and not affect metal, (or at least not dissolve it). I think you would be safe at least at first to band saw away most of the plastic.
     
  13. coinhead63

    coinhead63 Not slabbed yet

    I would try to remove as much plastic as safely possible and then try soaking in acetone. It is VERY aggressive towards most polymers (plastics) yet, as far as I know, won't harm coins. Perhaps somebody else has tried this already.
     
  14. davidh

    davidh soloist gnomic

  15. biged239

    biged239 Member

    Hello
    I have worked in the plastic industry for a long time. I believe most of these are in-bedded in acrylic a high temperature polymer. Just like Lexan and plexiglas these are very hard and will shatter. The polymer is still going to be hard to get off the coin. Over 800 degrees F just to get polymer to start flowing. This is just my opinion, never had tried it. You may can smelt it like melting aluminum are lead? Be real careful it will pop and throw hot plastic because of the expansion of air. Is it really worth the trouble?
    Big Ed
     
  16. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    For now, I will keep these coins in the plastic.

    It is interesting to hear all the ideas for removing them. Maybe you could freeze the plastic by applying liquid Nitrogen & then shatter it with a blow from a hammer.....:eek:
     

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  17. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    Great post BigEd. Question, is there an agent that would remove the acrylic, like acetone, at room temperatures? Or is acrylic impervious to these types of chemicals?
     
  18. biged239

    biged239 Member

    medoraman
    You could try soaking in a MEK or a D280 solution. This chemical break down will take some time to move that much plastic. Freezing is an option to break away the bulk of it. Once again be careful. Think safety when doing all these trial and errors.
    Big Ed
     
  19. biged239

    biged239 Member

    I just checked with one of my polymer engineers. The melt temp. for acrylic can be from 300 F. degree to 1800 F. degree melt temp. If these cubes are made from acrylic? They maybe are made from a low grade polymer? There are many polymer recipes to make up certain base products for use. Each one will have a different type of reaction to heat and chemical.
    Big ed
     
  20. Sommer Church

    Sommer Church New Member

    Are these decorative pieces worth anything!?
    I inherited 2 from my grandmother....
    One has a disassembleled watch that I believe belonged to my dads father..he got it from his job...he worked at Crist Craft I think...they built air planes...
    The second one has 10 Lincoln pennies floating in it that look like brass instead of copper, and dated 1979......
    Just curious...
     
  21. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Hi Sommer. Often these old threads don’t get much attention. I almost skipped over it myself...... There have been lots of coins and nick nacks encased in acrylic. I have a high grade set from the 1950’s in acrylic on my desk for a paper weight myself. As far as value, no not really other than the intrinsic value of the entombed item. Welcome to CT!
     
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