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 Replies: 23 / Views: 5,595 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2368 Posts |
This makes me kind of sad. I don't know what to say as far as cleaning, I've never seen environmental damage so bad. This is beyond acetone. Unfortunately all the value is lost.
That being said, I wouldn't get rid of the coins and replace them. It would mess with my conscience. I just don't know what to say, no collector will ever want them whether you clean them or not. I can't believe I'm saying this, but if cleaning them makes your friend and his mother happy, then do it.
There is no value to be gained or lost either way. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Valued Member
United States
333 Posts |
I'd take them out and put them in a tube for her and explain that they are long gone. Then put together another whitman folder for her with undamaged coins. It's likely that the true sentimental value is the actual coins and she may want to hold on to those.
I don't advise lying to her about the replacement coins because if you lie, she may think that cleaning coins is a good idea and can be done without damage. In the future she might use this mistaken knowledge to destroy something truly valuable to the numismatic community.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
I would give them an acetone soak then an oilve oil rub if the potato starch doesn't work. Anything will be an improvement but in all honesty they are goners for the most part.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
I honestly doubt the sentimental value is THAT high to be worth all this effort. Make sure you aren't misreading the level of concern. I'd just say they are damaged and return them. Nothing you can do is going to make them not destroyed. You might as well tow a totalled car through the car wash.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1192 Posts |
No they aren't worth too much effort but she may eventually be my future mother in law and those pennies are the last thing she has from her childhood. Everyone one nows they are ruined.but it was solace to them that they wouldn't have had much value even in excellent shape. Mostly just getting them to the point where these was once coins.
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Pillar of the Community
New Zealand
526 Posts |
OK. This is serious.
Have you thought of shot-blasting with a soft material like Corn-Cob. (Corn Cob is a biodegradable blast media that will not etch or warp the surface being blasted. Ideal for applications such as thin metals and plastics.)
Acrylic is another material that can be used and is the softest plastic abrasive used for ultra-sensitive surfaces while still providing an effective strip rate. Often used for aircraft surface and delicate parts.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
655 Posts |
It sounds like you've already made some good progress cleaning the coins. I'd advise you to continue to clean them, using whichever of the suggested approaches seems to be working best, until they reach a point where you are fairly OK with their appearance. Don't over clean; in fact leaving them, and accepting them, as imperfect is your best bet. These coins tell a story as they are, they have a personality that no mint state coin will ever have. What will make the biggest difference is how they're displayed. A really nice album or even wall mounted frame is the way to go. Share pics of the end result.  |
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New Member
United States
40 Posts |
Have been told try a little dish detergent with warm water, but air on the side of caution and no heavy cleaning solutions. when in doubt leave alone.
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Replies: 23 / Views: 5,595 |
First Page
Posted 10/21/2014 11:28 pm
