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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,683 |
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
Hello everyone, my name is Paul and I'm new to the forum. I've just started putting together a set of the states and territories with my 6 year old son. We've been CRHing like crazy for the last few days and it's a blast. Anyway, tonight we stumbled across a couple interesting finds and I'm hoping you can help me understand what's going on with these coins. I'm still researching about how coins are made, etc. so I apologize in advance if these are simplistic questions. Until a few days ago I didn't even know I had 15 coins made of 90% silver sitting in a bag my grandpa gave me. Anyway - I'm going to do my best to explain each picture because they're not perfect. But they came out better than I thought. The first picture is of what appears to be either a tarnished Yosemite or something different. The coin to the left is simply for reference. What's strange, and might not come out great in the picture is that all the trees and some other details are left "silver" and aren't tarnished. Picture 1  Picture is simply the other side of the coins. Same two as before.  Next up is a South Dakota State Quarter that looks different than any quarter I've seen (or at least payed attention to). The front is very dark and almost looks like copper. The second image is the back of the same quarter. It all just looks weird. Again, the other quarter is just provided for reference.  Picture 2  Sorry for making my first post a "what is this" kind of post, but my son is really curious as to why these look different and he's not the kind of kid who will stop digging until he gets an answer! |
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Valued Member
United States
240 Posts |
Tarnish....or coffee, nothing special unfortunately
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
 They all look like victims of environmental damage to me. The both coins looks like they had something spilled on them. Soap, soft drinks, and even spending some time in the ground will mess with metal. To find out exactly what it was that got onto those coins...well, your son will have to get a chemistry set and take up microscopy -- for starters. But I love it that he is so curious. He's not alone.  |
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New Member
 United States
6 Posts |
Thanks! I wasn't expecting anything exciting, just curious. It does seem odd on the south dakota coin (last 2 pictures) that the entire front would be stained and only 1/2 of the back. Oh well, we're only 9 coins away from completing the whole set and he's pumped. Now I have to find us a new challenge. I'm thinking pennies... I can buy a lot of rolls for $20.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
807 Posts |
Let me recommend world coins.
You can get great quantities, of dates going back 150 years or more, for very little. And there is a never-ending pageant of portraits, languages, scripts, even shapes (square, for example, & scallopped) which are totally new to anyone whose main experience has been with American money.
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Valued Member
United States
477 Posts |
Yes, get him started in a hobby collecting money, can't go wrong there. Sure wish I had had some numismatic influence in my younger days.
Rick
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Moderator
 United States
187562 Posts |
to the Community! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1053 Posts |
have fun! Lincoln cents are my favorite. IMHO, go with that. |
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
Funny you should mention that. I just asked him what he wants to collect after we finish the states and national parks, and he said pennies. Guess I have some reading up to do on pennies now.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12808 Posts |
You and your son have started down quite the rabbit hole.... |
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
It would seem that way. We've gone through about 50 rolls of quarters now and still need 2 states and 5 territories to complete set #1 (I'm making us find them all in the wild), and then we have to decide on the next adventure. Pennies seem reasonable but it's all complicated to a beginner. I think we'll stick with filling books and making simple collections for now. He's only 6, we have a little time.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
Quote:
Funny you should mention that. I just asked him what he wants to collect after we finish the states and national parks, and he said pennies. Guess I have some reading up to do on pennies now. Get ready. For something worth .01 cent face, they can get oddly expensive. |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,683 |
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Posted 08/06/2013 9:24 pm
