Hello, recently a large cache of coins was recovered that had been buried for about 70 years. Ground water, soil, and rust contaminated these coins and I am trying to recover these without destroying them. In the first picture are three silver coins with a great deal of bronze disease. In the second two pictures are two quarters and a Mercury dime that are fairly decent, but in varying degree of damage - the first is a liberty quarter with a good date but a lot of green, the second is a liberty quarter with a good solid date but heavily contaminated with soil, rust, and who knows what, and the third is a Mercury dime with the obverse toned but otherwise only a little dirty and the reverse with only a slight spot of green. I'm sorry about the quality of my pictures, but look forward to the experts here advising me as we have a large quantity.
We need in-focus shots. In the first pic I see two Walking Liberty half dollars, and an unidentifiable middle coin. Second and third pics (I assume they are of the same coins), I see a Standing Liberty quarter and a Mercury dime, and an unidentifiable coin.
Someone needs help learning to take images of coins.:welcome: BTW six feet under sounds like a grave and someone might want what they took with them back.:devil:
You're correct, I need to get better photos. The first is one set, all green contamination/corrosion. The second is three typical coins and the third is the reverse. My digital camera is older and my skills are poor. Basically there are a couple of major problems: the green and the other environmental damage - rust from baking soda cans, paper rolls - some were mint fresh - decomposed, soil - like a rock, and unknown contamination (some even have crystal growth). The grandmother buried them deep in an old crock with a lid that let water in but likely not out.
The biggest problem so far is getting a focused image. Check to see if you have a MICRO setting on your digital camera. Many do.
The third is another standing liberty - both have clear dates. The Mercury has a gold tone and some (a tiny spot of green the size of an "o" on the obverse - this may be all that should have any attention from anyone on this coin). ASAP I will get someone else to take a few photos and upload those.
Don't do anything to clean them yet beyond rinsing them. Even pristine coins can be ruined by cleaning. It will eventually come down to acetone and olive oil eventually but don't do anything yet. There's a good chance that none of these will have collector value anyway. Good luck.
Not a grave but just as deep - took a back hoe and a family rumor (mentioned 3 times over 40 years) to find.
I see a SLQ, a Walking Lib Half, and a Merc Dime. Can't really make out what the rest is. Are the dates readable on any of the coins?
Do you think rinsing (and should actual running water be used) should use only distilled water? Is that soaking and for how long and with how hot of water?
Are you trying to get us "PUNKED" so you could use it on Youtube? I am not trying to be nasty here, but why would you offer a photo like this to any coin collector
