Viewer Discretion is Advised. Here's what happened: I have a closet next to my A/C unit. I knew there has been a dampness problem in there for years. On occasion, I would hang a Damp-Rid bag and try to tame the mildew problem. What I was NOT aware of, there was a shoulder bag buried in there with coins from "My Father's Collection" It basically destroyed the silver (turned blue) and the copper (turned green) I mean fully crystallized and many stuck together. The books were not just damp, they had droplets of water on them. The Red Book dripped when I picked it up. I have not slept well since finding these coins. I keep imagining all the nights they were in that closet marinating, possibly for as long as 8 years. (because I found the 2012 RB with them) Oddly, when I was looking at the photos, half of me (the professional artist) is admiring the gorgeous "strategically organic" look of the verdigris. The other half of me is appalled because it's a coin. My job, at Disney World (when I was not laid off) is to actually MAKE things look like they have verdigris, patinas, rust and aging.
Verdicare and hope for the best. It may resurrect some of them if the damage hadn’t eaten into the metal. The FE and the 14-d looks promising
Your post hurts my eyes. I would make it my mission to rehabilitate some or all of those coins. Was it a large number that got marinated?
I think this is the most valuable portion. There were about 100 pieces of what I think are Constitutional grade silver and some war nickels. The total amount damaged represents about one tenth or less of the entire collection.
I can't make out the reverse of that 1896 quarter, between the blurring and the carnage. If it's got an S mint mark, it's still a multi-hundred-dollar coin after conservation, even with the damage.
I will wait about a week or so before taking these coins in to CoinGuy, my LCS. He has unfortunately gotten the COVID (from a local coin show that I was at too) and he is slowly recovering. If any of you know CoinGuy, you know he is the real deal. A national treasure to the hobby. Prayers for CoinGuy.
Oh that's so terrible . I hope he recovers and that you are negative . I hear that it's a nasty Virus .
I feel just fine. He has been in and out of the hospital. I do really hope he recovers fully. I am learning a great deal from him.