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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,759 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4212 Posts |
My son was cleaning out a fireplace at a home he's buying. Brought me these to clean-up. Burnt, lacquered covered, melted plastic.....etc.  So I tossed it in the soakers I'm waiting on now. I'm doing nothing else till I find something better to use. I know cu & vinegar dont mix, but it was that or lacquer thinner.  Are these now shot, or .....nevermind, their shot, I guess. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
These look like some of the lincolns I have dug while metal detecting, unfortunately many are not able to be saved.
you can put them in a tumbler with some walnut shell they will clean up, they make good coins to give to kids or use as hole fillers until uncleaned problem free coins can be found to replace them.
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Valued Member
United States
183 Posts |
before just bulk cleaning them, check for any keys dates because they may warrant special attention.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4212 Posts |
Got a walnut tree in the bachyard. Closest thing to a tumbler is the dryer. I'm all for keys, but I need to get the oil-based stuff off hiding the dates. Would Thads elixer improve/remove anything?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
520 Posts |
Personally what works best for copper coins is a tumbler with smooth stones and baking soda etc, videos are on youtube on how to do it with a tumbler. The best option to preserve them and a least hold some of their value is to use acetone to clean them. You can use the vinegar and salt trick but that hurts the coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
594 Posts |
Blowtorch and a wire brush.  You get some cool toning then too!  Edited by KenRingold
01/15/2011 3:02 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
Quote:
Blowtorch and a wire brush. I don't even think NCS could rescue those. Although, if you find something rare, you might give them a try.
Edited by carmykle
01/15/2011 3:21 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Posted Today 1 Hr 40 Min ago
Personally what works best for copper coins is a tumbler with smooth stones and baking soda etc, videos are on youtube on how to do it with a tumbler. The best option to preserve them and a least hold some of their value is to use acetone to clean them. You can use the vinegar and salt trick but that hurts the coins.
OMG, someone out there really thinks that works. Yes it will take off dirt, corrosion, etc. but will leave massive pot marks on all the coins. Notice how a rock tumbler makes rocks smooth? Same thing will happen to coins. So Vinegar and Salt hurt coins but a rock tumbler doesn't? I'll stick to battery acid first.   |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
just carl, you forgot to include "hammer and chisel". Lol!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
809 Posts |
Why would someone store their lincolns in a fireplace? thats very sad...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2448 Posts |
Maybe a radical new way of separating the Zinc? Although most look like "Wheaties".  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
Unless there is something in there really worth trying to save, I think I would just put them in my copper hoard.
Common wheaties are just way too easy to get. I'd rather spend my time roll searching than trying to figure out how to save those.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
Check for any worthwhile dates, then mix the rest into a regular batch of bulk wheats. I wouldn't bother trying to save the common dates.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
United States
117 Posts |
What you have found is far more precious than key-dates and double dies. Many years ago when I was fresh out of college, I was touring northern Europe and ended up at a small inn somewhere around Vansbro, Sweden. My buddy and I were relaxing in the main hall and noticed patrons tossing things into the fireplace. When we asked about it, we were told that the people were making wishes. Just like tossing coins into a well. What you have there is a pocket full of wishes. I would find the closest wishing well and send them on their way.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
952 Posts |
that is a great find......you should have fun seeing what you have date-wise even if they all end up being common
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New Member
United States
37 Posts |
I don't know of any way of cleaning that up without harming the coins. I agree with the posts above; their only value is as copper or as cull wheats.
It would be amazing if NCS could do something with such a coin if it were valuable enought. Their service interests me, but the only time I sent NCS a copper coin - one that was badly discolored from improper storage - they sent it back and said they couldn't do anything with it.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,759 |
Posted 01/15/2011 12:04 pm
