How to value this SF earthquake coin keepsake
alandavis10
Posts: 6 ✭
I have a clump 13 Victory nickels melted together primarily on their edges by the 1906 SF earthquake fires. (See photo).
The story goes that: Like many men there, grandfather was enlisted as a young man to help in the quake’s immediate aftermath. The intense fires from the broken gas lines really destroyed much of the city. He found the “clump” in a bank (do not know which bank) that was partially destroyed and deserted. Many of the years of the coins are discernible and all predate the earthquake. This is legit.
He gave the clump to my Grandmother who passed it onto my now deceased Mom. But I have a handwritten letter from one of them that describes the above.
I’m interested in knowing its value and if it is useful, I could get the handwritten letter notarized but have no other provenance. See photo.
Your ideas most welcome. I live near DC. Thx.
Answers
First things first. I'd make sure none of those Liberty nickels were dated after 1906...
peacockcoins
Who wrote the handwritten letter?
All predate the earthquake.
this you won't like
first notaries only verify signatures. they have to see it signed and verify the id of the signatory
the letter is only as good as someone telling it to someone verbally. With something substantial establishing this particular clump and no other was at a particular location in the particular time of post-SF earthquake then people can be comfortable with the circumstances. without such documentation, it's simply a good story that can't be proven. Keep it in the family and pass it down.
My mother wrote the letter.
Then you can't get it notarized.
If your recollections add anything more to the story then you can type out the story and have your letter notarized.
Things like this definitely have some value but it is limited by the fact that usually the item can't be 100% authenticated.
I would think that a documented lineage to your grandfather, documentation of his service record establishing his presence in San Fransisco in the aftermath, coupled with your mother’s letter would be about the best you could do - unless you have something written by your grandfather in addition. A chat with the California Historical Society might be productive. Might be possible to date the relic. No expert, just thoughts here. Interesting artifact.
The answers haven't changed since the last time you asked the same question. https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1075095/coins-melted-together-from-san-francisco-earthquake
Thought I recalled seeing a post here of something similar. The owner notes that they paid about $50 for a melted clump of nickels with a 1902 on each end. They suspected it may have been from the 1906 earthquake.
Probably not much monetary value and worth more as family history.
The Michael F. Hayes Barber Megathread - page 163 - with a few posts discussing it
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/12611241/#Comment_12611241
Same item posted with photo of other end of it in - Something cool you have in your collection...
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/13146749/#Comment_13146749
"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
my story would not change if it were 1907 and I was talking to your grandfather
frankly, this could have been formed in a house fire
How come these look like x- jewelry pieces to me?
