I recently watched a show where they recovered the Liberty Bell 7 from the bottom of the ocean. Once it was hoisted onto the deck of the ship, it was reunited with one of the astronausts (I don't remember which one). Once the capsule was drained, he started looking for some of his "good luck charms" he had taken up into space, and pulled out 2 mercury dimes! What do you think 2 mercury dimes that have been into space, and at the bottom of the ocean would be worth? I think it would be hard to pick a number. I'm sure to him, they're priceless. I thought it was a real cool story BEFORE they pulled the dimes!
Actually, I just read that there were 52 dimes found, and they were not charms so much as souvenirs, presumably from workers that had put identifying marks on them. Still a cool story, though.
I thought it was a really cool story, and the 2 dimes they showed on TV looked to be in really good shape. I guess silver doesn't corrode in salt water?
Nice link krispy, what a shame about the flea market ploy. It's just sad that people would stoop so low for a dollar.
Silver will corrode in salt water. These dimes must have been protected somewhat by something if still nice. They (dimes) have not been down there that long either as it compares to spanish ship wrecks several hundred years old.
Shipwrecks have been under water for centuries and the silver has a thin coating of corrosion. I sincerely doubt the less then 50 years would have any appreciable affect on them. Even then, it is not the sea water that actually causes the corrosion. It is the sulfides.
Anyone want to guess how long it will take for thousands and thousands of those same Mercury Dimes to appear on ebay, TV coin shows, flea markets, etc.
LOL! Seriously, though, I think it's really cool that these dimes have been from space to the bottom of the ocean floor and every foot in between.
