Recently, I bought a scarce token that is quite literally falling apart...

DCW

...and it wasn't cheap, either.
Some recent threads about problem coins and money that looks "like it's been in a fight" has got me thinking of a new purchase and latest addition to the "dog pound."
Norfolk, VA. Pfeifer & Co storecard with Merriam's "Good for a Scent" reverse die:

Once thought to be a civil war token, research has shown that this one dates just after the war when commerce resumed between North and South. Formerly Fuld VA-580-A, now NC-VA-A.
Struck on a lead planchet, these did not hold up well over the years. This one has great detail, little to no porosity, but as you can see is flaking apart from presumably years in the ground. It's an important and scarce token. Anybody know of any conservation efforts that can keep this puppy together? Like a hardening enamel applied to the surface? Perhaps I send it to NCS.
Your thoughts are appreciated!

agentjim007

I'd put it in a snug holder to keep it together, no chemicals. It lasted over 150 years like that, it will out last you. Next guys problem.

Shamika

I'm not necessarily a dog lover, but I've always loved this token.

You're token takes the description "toned" to a whole new level.

MsMorrisine

He said "puppy" !


Direct fit air-tite?

GRANDAM

<< <i>...and it wasn't cheap, either.
Some recent threads about problem coins and money that looks "like it's been in a fight" has got me thinking of a new purchase and latest addition to the "dog pound."
Norfolk, VA. Pfeifer & Co storecard with Merriam's "Good for a Scent" reverse die:

Once thought to be a civil war token, research has shown that this one dates just after the war when commerce resumed between North and South. Formerly Fuld VA-580-A, now NC-VA-A.
Struck on a lead planchet, these did not hold up well over the years. This one has great detail, little to no porosity, but as you can see is flaking apart from presumably years in the ground. It's an important and scarce token. Anybody know of any conservation efforts that can keep this puppy together? Like a hardening enamel applied to the surface? Perhaps I send it to NCS.
Your thoughts are appreciated! >>



----------------------------------------------

And now we know what all of the crusty,,,,, crunchy,,,, toned and rusted coins will look like in a couple of more years,,,,,

GrandAm

leothelyon

Lucite or acrylic...... 1" thick and 2" square embedment. Don't take my word but look into it extensively. This method just may hold it together and preserve it forever.

ricko

Wow.... the only preservation I can think of would entomb it forever - lucite.....and would need to be done carefully. Watch temperature differentials...Good luck...Cheers, RickO

Broadstruck

I would very gently place that in a air-tite capsule and would be careful handling it afterward. At this stage I don't believe there's anything that can be done to preserve it and as a portion of the reverse has already flaked off mailing it anywhere could cause further damage just from minor vibration while in transit. If it was in a bit better condition I would have recommended applying a thin coat of mineral oil as a preservative, but as is I'd even be worrying about the oil seeping into the core and having some affect on the dried out outer skin.

I believe that dealer Greg Hannigan offered this piece a couple years ago and it was already as is in a old opaque NCS slab.

Zoins

Wow. That is a very cool piece! Hope it stays together!

BillJones

This piece was delisted as a Civil War token some years ago. It seems that Merriam sold his "dog die" to another token maker after the war who made a small number of pieces, given the lack of availability of these pieces today.

As for the disintegration problem it's hard to tell you what to do. My guess is that this piece was found with a metal detector, and was corroded in the ground when the finder found it. These pieces are made of the same white metal that was used on other tokens. The trouble is this piece was in the wrong place for too long. If you have a nice white colored example and store it properly, you should have no problems.

This piece is an example of a class of collectables that I have avoided while others have viewed them as "the cat's pajamas." One group are the so-called sulfides that were issued during William Henry Harrison's 1840 presidential campaign. Those pieces are prone to breaking apart when the temperature gets too low. I also avoided a super rare previously unlisted Hard Times token years ago because it was struck on a planchet that was close to breaking apart. I also avoided a 1983 doubled die reverse cent that had a hole in the copper plating which was allowing the air to get to the zinc. Zinc is not a stable coinage compound, which is why the modern cents dissolve after they are lost.

It is well know that tin tokens are very prone to "tin pest" which gets a boost when the temperatures get too low. I've owned a few tin pieces, but I've had good luck with them so far. They have not gotten worse while they were in my care.

Finally the biggest red flag I've heard was from a dealer who was telling me about some the Bermuda coins that are in the front of the Red Book. Many of those pieces are ground salvage finds on the Island of Bermuda, and that dealer warned me that some of those coins could disintegrate within a few years. Given the prices, which run into to tens of thousands of dollars, that is a problem I can do without.

19Lyds

Wowsers!!


That coin is a real dog!

It looks really fragile. Almost like dried clay! I'd be afraid to even touch it!

Maybe this is a case where some type of spray on stuff (such as laquer) would be appropriate?

ms70

I'm thinking the only solution is an exact size archival quality 2 piece plastic holder.

amwldcoin

<< <i>Wowsers!!


That coin is a real dog!

It looks really fragile. Almost like dried clay! I'd be afraid to even touch it!

Maybe this is a case where some type of spray on stuff (such as laquer) would be appropriate? >>



I was thinking the same thing about laquer.....definitely would not hurt it!

kaz

archaeological conservators might have a way to stabilize it. Maybe microcrystalline wax?

ambro51

Here's a novel idea..... don't do anything to it. Put it in a little cloth bag in a 2x2 envelope. I'm still laughing about the block of lucite idea.

291fifth

Interesting subject matter ... but the condition is such that I would never consider purchasing it, rare or not.

Booger9989

I have a few Civil War sutler tokens that are dug in the same condition. What I did was put them in a button holder with the black padding and have not had any issues with them since.

Baley

Wow, real specialist's coin, kudos for stepping up for it, I'm a fan of such numismatic underdogs

CoinRaritiesOnline

Best enjoyed in photographic form.

airplanenut

<< <i>...and it wasn't cheap, either. >>

and now you're broke?

Broadstruck

<< <i>Put it in a little cloth bag in a 2x2 envelope. >>



It's too frail to place in cotton as if one raised area gets caught on a fiber it could chip off.

TheRegulator

I was thinking the same thing, Broadstruck. That would probably be one of the worst forms of storage.

DCW

Thanks for all the responses. Does anyone think NCS might be able to do something? Still quite a lot of detail left on this token compared to other surviving examples, believe it or not. I'd love to have it slabbed by NGC Do you think it would hold together in a slab?

Tiny

Back when I use to build NS$CAR diecast custom cars I would put several coats of
Future floor wax on them. As many coats as I wanted until I had depth in the coating
to cover the decals and protect them. Real easy to use with a brush but you might
want to pour it one this. People said yea the floor wax would yellow but here
10 to 15 years later and no color change just nice clear coating.

Zoins

Love this piece.

How did you decide to protect and store it?

DCW

Update
@Zoins In the end I decided to sell this one at a loss. It is very rare, but it drove me crazy watching it basically disintegrate. I found another example that is solid. I think it should have straight graded, but PCGS didnt like the crust (which most if not all known examples have)
PCGS XF details:

Jimnight

I've never seen anything like that before.
Maybe a lamination issue?

DCW

@Jimnight said:
I've never seen anything like that before.
Maybe a lamination issue?

It is struck in lead, and it was most likely sitting in the ground for a very long time. In fact, my theory is that all Pfeiffer & Co tokens were probably buried by the owner as a way to get rid of them. He committed suicide in the early 1870s. All surviving tokens that I've seen have varying degrees of crust. Admittedly, it is a small sample as only a few are known. The trueviewed example is probably the finest extant, though there is a straight graded NGC XF45 with less detail.

Jimnight

@DCW said:

@Jimnight said:
I've never seen anything like that before.
Maybe a lamination issue?

It is struck in lead, and it was most likely sitting in the ground for a very long time. In fact, my theory is that all Pfeiffer & Co tokens were probably buried by the owner as a way to get rid of them. He committed suicide in the early 1870s. All surviving tokens that I've seen have varying degrees of crust. Admittedly, it is a small sample as only a few are known. The trueviewed example is probably the finest extant, though there is a straight graded NGC XF45 with less detail.

WOW ... that is so interesting. The story is as interesting as the token.

ricko

Thanks for the update...and your upgrade looks great.... Being a dog lover/owner, I have contemplated getting one of these. Cheers, RickO

thefinn

I would spray it with a high-quality clear satin acrylic, like Rustoleum, then pour it in a foam-ringed Airtite holder after it dries for a day or two.

JimTyler

Looks like it’s made out of mud or maaayyyyyyybbeeeeeeeee dog 💩

lkenefic

Awesome new piece to replace the previous one! Do you k ow if the new owners are planning anything to conserve it? My first thought on your previous piece was a spray acrylic to stabilize the flakes and then an airtight...

Thanks for the update!

Zoins

@DCW said:
Update
@Zoins In the end I decided to sell this one at a loss. It is very rare, but it drove me crazy watching it basically disintegrate. I found another example that is solid. I think it should have straight graded, but PCGS didnt like the crust (which most if not all known examples have)
PCGS XF details:

Glad you were able to upgrade. Congrats!

The one in the OP looks insane. It looks like the ground in Death Valley! It would be great to get a TrueView of that too.

Boosibri

Sending the original coin to NCS would have been a complete crap shoot on what you got back. 50% chance it would be in pieces, 50% chance it would be purple.

LanceNewmanOCC

@DCW

just in case you haven't yet, you may desire to contact some professional fossil people that use specialized adhesives and whatnot to keep high-end examples from flaking etc. to keep that thing in even the shape it is in long-term, would be an act of futility for even the most careful of people.

always enjoy seeing this thread pop back up.