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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,290 |
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Valued Member
Australia
295 Posts |
Hi, inspired by the rotated coin thread, I came up with a quick way to check whether or not a coin is rotated. I just used a small rubber band - like what is supplied with oven bags (which, by the way, are pH neutral and ideal to use to store coin and stamp collections). I used the band to set a vertical alignment. Then, when I turned the coin it was very easy to see whether or not the other side was vertically aligned - and no harm was done to the coin. Sorry if I am preaching to the converted, but I'm still getting though older posts.  |
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Formerly nancyc
Australia
5385 Posts |
life is a mystery to be lived not a problem to be solved
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Moderator
 Australia
16827 Posts |
Yep, rubber's loaded with sulfur, which will turn silver coins black if stored in contact with them. So don't do that.  My main concern with the rubber-band-rotation-check is getting the coin scratched taking the rubber band on and off. You'd want to make sure the band was free of dust. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Valued Member
 Australia
295 Posts |
Thanks for the comments and advice about the downfalls of storing coins with rubber bands - I hadn't intended to store them with the rubber bands, but I also was definitely not aware of what damage could occur from long term contact if I had, so thanks for that tip.
I actually only intend to use this quick test when noodling circulating coins, so now I'm wondering if the risk of damage from ten seconds of contact with a rubber band is enough to warrant not using this technique on used coins. I found it very quick and easy to do this test over the weekend when I thought I had found rotated coins - and I confirmed I had found six coins with 20 - 30% (or an hour when using a clock reference) rotation.
Re my comment on the use of oven bags for a good pH neutral archival method for storing coin and stamp collections, I only use the bag and not the rubber band when storing precious things. (Major galleries and museums use oven bags for their collections and deem them as the Volkswagon method for archiving compared to the Rolls Royce method of using mylar.)
But, the supplied oven bag rubber bands are quite small and new - ideal for this quick rotation test on coins.
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Formerly nancyc
Australia
5385 Posts |
I just wanted to warn everyone about rubber bands really. I knew you weren't advocating their use.
I doubt that they will pose any danger to circulation coins, but as I found from experience, they are baaaaad news when in close proximity to silver. My damaged coin was in a 2x2, but the mylar offered absolutely no protection at all.
life is a mystery to be lived not a problem to be solved
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Pillar of the Community
1119 Posts |
put a small mirror close to where you noodle, hold the coin up and observe both sides at the same time.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
I like erkle's idea, saves the need for rotating every coin in your fingers. We're all trying to find out ways to sort coins more efficiently  I cant tell if thats smart or sad  |
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Valued Member
Australia
215 Posts |
I think there wil always be a need to sort more efficiently. it's our nature as humans to always want things to work better.
I will have to try the mirror idea because when noodling 200 coins on the weekend I was rotating each one in my hands.
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Formerly nancyc
Australia
5385 Posts |
When I noodle, I examine both sides closely, so turning them is not an option. I'd probably miss a 5° upset, but anything over that and I'd be all over it like a rash. life is a mystery to be lived not a problem to be solved
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Valued Member
Australia
148 Posts |
I am not sure if it is me but are we over complicating upset error detection. I find it very simple to hold the coin between thumb and tall man finger in my left hand and then rotate the coin with my right hand. The obvious upsets are picked up very easily and the small upsets trigger a "something is not quite right" reaction and a more thorough check can be done.
TCH
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Valued Member
Australia
295 Posts |
Hi Coin Hunter, I do the same re checking both sides by rotating the coin in my fingertips. I only use the rubber band test on ones that catch my eye as being possible rotations. I found it to be a quick way to confirm rotation after I failed with the mirror method. Bad lighting, wrong bench height, and not having a portable mirror with a flat bottom all conspired to mirror test failure. |
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Valued Member
Australia
148 Posts |
Hi awildeheart,
I see where you are coming from now. It does get a bit tricky determining those slight upset errors (5 degrees). I usually spend about 5 or 6 or more rotations to try to pick them up. Even then I am not usually 100% sure. I might try the mirror or elastic band test next time to see if it makes it easier.
TCH
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
Today I noodled some 10c and thought I would give your idea a crack with the 1966 dated coins. It worked well and I identified 1 rotated die (guestimate: 10 degrees).
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Valued Member
Australia
148 Posts |
Well done enworb. I seem to have luck with most rotated dies , however have never found a 1966 upset coin. Hopefully your luck will extend to the other denominations.
TCH
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
Last week I found a 1966 2c rotated to almost exactly the same degree as the one I found today. They now reside next to each other. Theyre not spectacular but a rotation none the less  |
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Formerly nancyc
Australia
5385 Posts |
Quote:
It worked well and I identified 1 rotated die (guestimate: 10 degrees) Quote:
Last week I found a 1966 2c rotated to almost exactly the same degree as the one I found today.  Please. life is a mystery to be lived not a problem to be solved
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,290 |
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Posted 05/27/2012 9:15 pm
