Coins from a fire

Veep

I looked at a collection of silver dollars last night and several looked like they had been through a fire. Unfortunately, some of them were the tougher dates from the early 1890's. The fire coins are very dark and have flecks on them that almost "sparkle." I assume that they are lost causes as far as restoration. Does anyone have experience "saving" coins from a fire? Anyone have a story of coins surviving a fire?

commoncents05

I would try sending a few to NCS and see what they can do with them.

-Paul

ricko

I have seen many examples... from merely discolored, to warped and partially melted. It all depends on the storage mode, type and intensity of fire, and duration of exposure. Some can be easily restored... others are lost. Cheers, RickO

PrivateCoinCollector

NCS for anything not described by Ricko.

options26

Speaking of such, if a collection was destroyed in a fire and the insurance company ended up paying off on it and taking possession, how do they dispose of this collection later? Auctions?

Arizonadesertrat

If they really have come into direct contact with hot smoke particles, there won't be a lot that can be done. The particles eat into the surface of the coin (they are acidic), roughening it. After dipping to remove dark discoloration, the surface frequently has a powdery look. These coins, if better dates, will still sell if you are patient, but they will have to be steeply discounted. If the coins were inside PVC and the flips melted, the residue can be dissolved away, but some HCl (a product of PVC decomposition) might have permanently damaged them. Some other kinds of holders (like the ones used by TPGs) do a better job of protecting coins from permanent damage. I would only send off the more expensive dates for conservation, see what the results are, and then decide whether it's worth spending more money on the remaining coins.