A HUGE coin TRAGEDY from "My Father's Collection"

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by rosethe, Nov 29, 2020.

  1. Robert Ransom

    Robert Ransom Well-Known Member

    She didn't know the coins were in the bag hanging in that area.
     
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  3. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    You probably did this but separate the coins from any packaging, papers, cloth and books. Expect for some of the coins to be stained. I have been told that there is not a good way to remove most stains from copper without doing more harm.
     
  4. Derrick Combs

    Derrick Combs Well-Known Member

    You don't want to put copper in acetone i don't believe. As for the colors of the silver, some might be attractive by the time you tone rinse them.
     
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  5. rosethe

    rosethe Junior Member

    As for the 1914-D, it looks more like the toning has been removed from the reverse rather than any staining added to it. That one is a real shame. I will post pics today.
     
  6. messydesk

    messydesk Well-Known Member

    I looked up exactly what DampRid is, and on their web page, they say, "When DampRid’s all-natural crystals are exposed to air, they absorb excess moisture and gradually dissolve into a liquid brine (a saltwater solution)." This makes me think that the damaged coins should be treated as sea salvage. Soaking in acetone won't do anything but waste acetone. I would actually start with boiling water in a Pyrex dish (a metal one will introduce galvanic reactions you don't want -- yet) to see if that will re-dissolve some of the salts that accumulated on the coins.
     
  7. Mr.Q

    Mr.Q Well-Known Member

    Good luck on your restoration effort, think positive.
     
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  8. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    So sorry to hear about this. I'm sure you are heartbroken over it. Put the coins in a glass or Pyrex dish. Heat water to boiling and pour on top of them using enough water to cover them completely. Hopefully the water will dissolve most of what's on them. Repeat with fresh water as necessary. Best wishes.
     
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  9. rosethe

    rosethe Junior Member

    Thank you Nut and Messy. I am going to take "Before" photos first.
     
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  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Looking forward to seeing them. Before and after is a good idea.
     
  11. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man Supporter! Supporter

    Image 11-30-20 at 2.51 PM.jpg
    I feel for ya.
    If you own the house, fix the problem. If you lease/rent, make the owner fix the problem so it doesn't affect you. Mold of any type can lead to health issues you don't need. Good luck and I hope we can see positive results in the near future.
     
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  12. GH#75

    GH#75 Trying to get 8 hours of sleep in 4. . .

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  13. rosethe

    rosethe Junior Member

    I agree that the green stuff on the coppers is verdigris (I work with patinas in my profession) but the blue stuff on the silver coins looks an awful lot like copper sulfide. Anyone have a chemistry answer for that one?
    I think of all the suggestions for all of them, e.g. acetone, boiling water, etc. This chemical one sounds the most promising for the coppers.
    I am going to try the verdigris recipe (28 days) on some (not the 1914-D yet)
    Thanks so much.
     
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  14. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Water, fine...acetone...fine...xylene...fine be careful with the verdigris recipe.
     
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  15. BRandM

    BRandM Counterstamp Collector

    You're getting a lot of good suggestions on how to clean your coins, but some may not be effective for your particular damage. I'd take it slow and try the different approaches suggested on low value coins. That way if it further damages the coin or doesn't have the desired effect then you haven't sacrificed anythng of importance.

    I wish you the best of luck.

    Bruce
     
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  16. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Junk silver. It relates to some peoples idea that the Constitution only allowed gold and silver to be money. So gold and silver are "constitutional" money and base metal, clad, and paper are unconstitutional and not real money.
     
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