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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,202 |
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Valued Member
United States
138 Posts |
OK Here is the deal, I bought a 5 page old Harris Harco Dollars Misc Album at an estate sale for a low price. All of the plastic holders were full for a total of 80 coins. First the interesting: 1929 Latvia 5 Lati AU 1827 Bust 1/2 Dollar XF 12 Common Clad Eisenhower dollarsall in pretty nice shape no problems and now the ugly: 22 Common Date Morgans 44 Common Date Peace $'s all with a sticky, green, filthy mildew like substance all over them. I have heard these albums were notorious for PVC? contamination. What should I do about the Silver dollars? I don't want them for my collection. How do I safely get the sticky gunk off? (I know they are not worth much more than bullion value, but I would like to clean them up for resale. Again no rare dates, but any help would be appreciated. I take it this type of album that ruins coins is not available any more? Thanks |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
That is the Harco album with the clear plastic pages, right? That green slime would be PVC residue and it needs to be removed ASAP. Hopefully it has not started to pit the coin surfaces yet. Give them a good soaking in acetone, it may need to be repeated a few times. If you are not versed in the proper use of acetone, just search the forum as it has been discussed many times.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
just search the forum as it has been discussed many times. This, first, and learn as much as you can. Acetone can be used safely, but it's a potentially lethal substance and you're looking at wholesale use of the stuff. Almost 70 silver dollars, all requiring acetone, means you're going to go through a couple quarts of the stuff, a few highly-flammable ounces at a time. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
Keep it all WELL ventilated!! Good luck! Post pictures!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2541 Posts |
I'd probably just sell them for junk silver as long as you can make a profit.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
I too think the Dollars ought to be sold as bullion. It probably would not be worth the time, risk, mess, and cost of chemicals.
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Valued Member
United States
297 Posts |
just asking how much did you pay for this whole thing?
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
Not that you should listen to me, but have you ever tried tying one coin in the toe of a sock and running it through the laundry?  |
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Valued Member
 United States
138 Posts |
Answers: I paid $500 for the Album. I got early to the estate house, and the heirs knew nothing about coins and were happy to sell the album. Yes, I did ask and that was the only numismatic material they had. Most of the stuff there was high end furniture, antiques etc so the single album meant nothing to them. I will be posting photos soon. I really want everyones opinion of the Bust 1/2 dollar. I am wary of chemicals so no go there. I did take a sticky Peace dollar with me to work and rubbing it and pocket wear got rid of the sticky feeling. It looks a whole lot better! If the PVC comes back I have no idea, but the siver dollars are headed to ebay for sale. Edited by JayDon62
12/02/2009 9:16 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
You know.. those poor Morgans and Peace dollars would make a great documentation on the efforts of acetone vs PVC. If you don't need the funds from the ebay sale immediately, I'd be more than happy to dunk them for you first. I have lots of acetone here - and can photograph every step for posterity  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
At least it's still sticky and not hard or black. I think you might have some luck with the coins and acetone and .............. patience.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
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At least it's still sticky and not hard or black. Better if it were. PVC contamination will wreck the coin if not stopped with acetone. You can't rub it away. |
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Valued Member
United States
297 Posts |
it doesn't matter if the coins are in good shape or not because the melt value of the coins alone (the 66 silver) is around 900$ you could easily get 650-750$ and the rest of the coins carry value any coin you can get to look nice is just even more money you made a good deal in my opinion
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,202 |
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Posted 12/02/2009 12:05 am
