Home For Misfit (Damaged) Coins

They are only worth the face value. Put them back into circulation.

That is about as much effort as I would be willing to give.

boy, you guys (folks) Didn't any of you have a small chemistry set for little experiments?
I see 3 cup holder toned coins ripe for a good polishing. As a boy I remember rubbing a copper cent on the side of the sole of my Converse sneakers to shine it all up then down to the local candy store in town to get 'Dots' or a bazooka Joe bubble gum with my 'shiny new' penny. I loved the tiny comics that was inside them, save a ton of them to trade them in for a kooky gift or something.

Besides, without some folks not 'doing experiments' on coins, we would not have the chance to see the banged up, ground down, sanded over, vise squished, or acid dunked coins that we get to see everyday.

In my opinion, I would just put them back into circulation, but you can do whatever you want with them.

My curiosity overcame all the naysayer comments. So I spent some of my invaluable time (have I mentioned that I'm retired?) to see what lay beneath the grunge. Before I proceed, however, some responses:


. I'm guessing you're not the curious type.


If you don't contemplate an endeavor, how can you judge time/materials. You'll see that I spent not much of either.



and



True if you don't think outside of the box. I also turn wood on a lathe. Coins can embellish cane heads, wine stoppers and envelope openers, for example.



John, John, John. What can I say?

Okay, on to the meat of the matter. You'll see my tools below:
Dremel set on low speed.
Stove cleaner (don't have any rubbing compound or such on hand).
Half a toothpick (blunt end) to help hold the coin down. Coin will get really hot.
Time? Maybe 10 minutes per coin.
Outcome: Not bad, really. Couldn't get better 'After' photos no matter how I tried to get the restored sheen to show.

The individual shots show the underlying damage after the Acetone soak. The top layer is partially removed where the contaminant sat on the coin, showing the copper beneath. The first coin photo is the untouched coins.

So, all in good fun. I appreciate the comments and understand the intent. I hope I haven't offended anyone with my responses as that was not my intent.

The cleaning process is not something I would do routinely. But I had to see how they might look with some TLC.

huh, Maybe I should have been a 'naysayer' than a supporter on this, I might had gotten a return comment or 2.. oh well.. no good deed ever goes un-punished

Ah heck, I was kidding in my last post, (I have a very weird sense of humor) But thanks for posting your results, When I get time, I'll have another look see (I had barely gotten home from work and took a glancing look-see.
and YEP! I sure like them tiny comics.. great fun for a kid.