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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,798 |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
My father was in the US invasion force that entered Japan at the end of the war and was in Hiroshima during the month of September 1946. While he was there he picked up several Japanese coins that had been melted and boiled by the heat of the bomb blast. I am aware of the emotional significance of the event to to the survivors and recent objections as to the auction or sale of such mementos. I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge of other coins surviving the atomic bombing of japan and if so what is there value, should they be insured, or if there is a museum where they could best be kept to remember the event and my fathers service to this country.
Thanks very much
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Valued Member
United States
108 Posts |
Would like to see a picture of them. Have never seen one
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
 Best thing for items such as this is to establish provenance. Does you father have any documentation to prove he was in Hiroshima during that time period? Photographs and military records would be helpful as would any other corroborating artifacts. The American Museum of Science and Energy(formerly the American Museum of Atomic Energy) at Oak Ridge National Labs in Tennessee would be one potential museum that may be interested. ORNL was one of the primary Manhattan Project sites, they produced the uranium used in the atomic bombs. Edited by biokemist6
08/11/2010 2:36 pm
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New Member
 United States
5 Posts |
Yes, He has a picture of the devastation, the coins, a melted bottle, and a letter he wrote to his wife describing the city and the souvenirs he collected. The artifacts also toured with a US government exposition recounting personal experiences during WWII.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
This is selfish but for our education, I think most of the forum would love to see some pictures of the coins and your Dad before you send them to a museum. This would probably be our only opportunity to observe this piece of history.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I would also like to see some pictures, I also wonder if they retained some radiation after all these years? I visited the Peace Memorial Muesum in Hiroshima some 35 years ago, they also might be interested in the coins.
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Yes, He has a picture of the devastation, the coins, a melted bottle, and a letter he wrote to his wife describing the city and the souvenirs he collected. The artifacts also toured with a US government exposition recounting personal experiences during WWII.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
That sounds like excellent supporting provenance belson  The coins would probably not have any significant levels of radioactivity but I am fairly certain that the melted glass bottle will still make a Geiger counter chirp(not to worry, the levels would still be quite low and nothing that would require shielding). Because of potential radioactivity issues, I would recommend only handling the coins and bottle with gloves(latex is fine) to be safe. The items should also be stored in an air tight container(tupperware would work fine for storage). There is a potential to have very fine loose particles on the surface that could be inhaled/ingested/absorbed if they were to get on your skin. The most widely available atomic artifact, Trinitite(lightly radioactive fusion glass from the first White Sands NM test), has the same basic handling precautions but it is far from being truly dangerous as well. |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
I will post pictures as soon a I get them.
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Thanks for the suggestions. I have checked the items for residual radiations and it is as you describe. Background levels on the coins and slightly elevated reading on the glass with nothing approaching levels that would be a health concern.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Thinking about things atomic, I searched on Google maps and found the atomic underground test site to the northeast of Las Vegas. Requires a bit of patience to find them. They consist of a series of perfect circular dish shaped depressions in the desert floor, arranged in neat rows. Apparently the Department of Energy is quite happy for you to search for them; they have obviously been declassified.
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Forum Kid
Kuwait
1523 Posts |
Oh wow, what a bit of sentimental history.
Can't wait to see the pics :]
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Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
I collect military antiques and have a few Nagasaki and Hiroshima related items. If this is something you are interested in selling, let me know. Of course pictures would be nice...
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,798 |
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Posted 08/11/2010 1:03 pm
