Coins And Fire Damage - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,037
arvan Valued Member Canada 125 Posts	Posted 01/04/2018 4:08 pm Hey All, My wife's grandparents house burned down a few years ago sadly. Among the wreckage the family was able to salvage a chest that contained some extremely old and valuable coins that were all just hanging out loosely in a change purse (EEEEEK!). Highlighting these coins is a single 1858 Canadian 20 cent piece. Looking at the coin itself, I would say that grade is between F and VF. Unfortunately this coin has some damage either with soot or some form of oxidization that has caused the outer rim to be a covered in a very black covering. My questions are this: 1) Should I attempt a acetone bath for this coin? If so, should it be longer than usual and if so, how long should I let it sit? 2) Does the coin have any worth with this black coating if the bath does not work? I would hate to see this beautiful piece of history ruined by fire :( I would love to hear any and all advice. Thanks! Report this Post to the Staff

nfine Pillar of the Community United States 3469 Posts	Posted 01/04/2018 4:10 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Crazyb0 Rest in Peace 10197 Posts	Posted 01/04/2018 4:42 pm I would think profession conservation would be the ones to ask. Contact the conservation services of PCGS or NGC and ask. Acetone may remove soot, ash and other organic "melted resins" from the wood, but there were other materials in that mix that are harmful to metals. Acetone will NOT hurt any worse. Plus heat will have an effect that is worse than surface corrosions, could cause the alloys to begin to separate...this is just before the coin slags(melts, warps). Edited by Crazyb0 01/04/2018 4:45 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 01/04/2018 4:46 pm Good advice, but we'd still like to see pics if possible! Report this Post to the Staff
moxking Rest in Peace United States 17900 Posts	Posted 01/04/2018 5:19 pm It could be nothing more than normal toning. Without photos we can't tell you. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188274 Posts	Posted 01/04/2018 5:55 pm I agree, we will need pictures to make an accurate assessment. Sorry to hear that this happened though. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
arvan Valued Member Canada 125 Posts	Posted 01/04/2018 6:00 pm It is definitely fire damage as all the coins in the purse (as well as all the other metal items in the trunk it was in) have this black material on it. The coin is currently at the in laws house but I will revive this thread the next time over and I can take pics with the good camera they own. Report this Post to the Staff
cwb Pillar of the Community United States 3463 Posts	Posted 01/04/2018 11:37 pm Fire is never good for coins. Hopefully acetone will help. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,037

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