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 Replies: 12 / Views: 9,991 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3640 Posts |
I found this taken from a page by popular mechanics magazine in a publication called "things for boys to do". Oh boy. See note below. Times have changed. Reading the Date of a Worn Coin The date and denomination of a coin worn smooth can be determined in the following manner: Take an ordinary coal shovel, or a piece of sheet metal, and place it in a hot fire. Allow it to become red hot, then remove, and place the coin on the hot surface of the metal. Any figures or letters can be readily seen when heated in this manner. This test seldom fails even when the inscriptions have been worn so smooth that they are invisible to the naked eye. Note: Kids, do not try this at home or anywhere. Adults - U'mmm, be like real careful O.K. Also, I would wait a while before picking up the coin to look at it. Now, let's get fired up.  |
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Valued Member
Canada
68 Posts |
lol...i would love to see that on you tube!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
564 Posts |
Hmmm... Interesting. I don't think I will try it but it sure sounds like fun.
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
hmmm, it's 3am , I just read this.. decisions  decisions  decisions  |
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
3:28 am, sweating from the heat, got to see some pretty colors, but no date.. maybe tomorrow
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
What kind of fire do people have that will get steel red hot? Do you have your own blacksmith shop complete with bellows?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
i used a thin steel clutch plate from a 1957 Harley XL I'm building, and a torch maybe something a bit thicker that will hold the heat longer and doing in daylight would be better, the lighting isn't very good where I work on things at night- I didn't drag out the halogen work lights looks like a weekend project |
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Valued Member
Canada
307 Posts |
twincam_o4  i can just see you at 3 in the morning.....lol your neighbours must be tolerant |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3640 Posts |
Maybe some thin gauge sheet metal would work.
That keeps the heat for a while.
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
my closest neighbors party til 5am ( when they have the money) I've already been told not to worry about coming in from work at 2am on the Harley when it's finished next item up for heating is 1/8" plate |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
A Butane torch can make most metals glow red evetually. Same with an Arc Welders torch. Wonder if letting those worn coins sit on a Bar-B-Que grill for a long time will work too. Of course most already know that a large magnifying glass held in the Sun will make a small hot spot that could work over a large period of time  Even wonder how many read such items and try them? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
I would think you would see the date as the coin is heating up after you put it on the piece of hot metal (bcause the slight differences in density would cause it to heat up unevenly.) but then as all areas of the coin reach the same temperature the date would disappear again. You would also have a problem with an oxide layer forming on the coin that would hide the dte as it cooled back down. The oxide layer would probaly also prevent you from seeing it if you tried heating it up again. So you would probably have to dip n strip it to try again.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 9,991 |
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Posted 08/10/2010 02:50 am
