Conserving a Chief?

Veep · July 31, 2025 6:01AM

Is there any way to improve the look of this without causing serious harm? It smells really
musty so maybe the stains are mildew. I haven’t tried anything in favor of asking the experts here. The stains go through the paper front to back so maybe it just is what it is. Thanks!

Greenstang · July 31, 2025 6:51AM

You could try Poli Restorations at http://www.polirestorations.com
They are a mother daughter team that have an excellent reputation
from what I understand. Never had any reason to use them personally.

johnny9434 · July 31, 2025 8:44AM

if you do keep us posted with the results. would love to see both sides

humanssuck · July 31, 2025 10:04AM

@Greenstang said:
You could try Poli Restorations at http://www.polirestorations.com
They are a mother daughter team that have an excellent reputation
from what I understand. Never had any reason to use them personally.

Ive seen their work and they do an amazing job. However, it isnt cheap, and depending on how busy they are, it can take a long time.

Veep · July 31, 2025 3:24PM

Thanks. It’s good to know about that service. This is not a rare enough note to justify top-level (pricy) restoration. I’m thinking more along the lines of a do it yourself fix.

I’ll hold onto that Poli link for something that stands to gain more from their work.

Greenstang · July 31, 2025 3:48PM

Unless you have the experience, I would leave the note as is. You could easily make it worse or destroy it.

Coins3675 · August 1, 2025 9:47AM

I know Poli restorations does a good job.

TxCollector · August 1, 2025 11:05AM

@humanssuck said:

@Greenstang said:
You could try Poli Restorations at http://www.polirestorations.com
They are a mother daughter team that have an excellent reputation
from what I understand. Never had any reason to use them personally.

Ive seen their work and they do an amazing job. However, it isnt cheap, and depending on how busy they are, it can take a long time.

I agree with this statement. For the note in question, I'm not sure the juice is worth the squeeze as it wouldn't surprise me if their cost was a few hundred to improve the appearance.

Typekat · August 1, 2025 1:44PM

my go-to on “dirty’ notes like that:

1- immerse it in distilled water in a clean jar with a tight kid.
2- after a day or so, give it a few shakes so the water sloshes around. If you see any sign of dirty water or particles that have come off the note, pour the water out, give the note a gentle water rinse and repeat the immersion with fresh distilled water.

If you don’t see any results, while the note is wet, gently roll a Q-Tip on the brown areas and see if that dirties the Q-tip. If so, continue CAREFULLY & GENTLY, as old paper currency is fragile.

My experience is that often no amount of soaking will help, but it’s a harmless way to find out.

Veep · August 2, 2025 5:38AM

@Typekat said:
my go-to on “dirty’ notes like that:

1- immerse it in distilled water in a clean jar with a tight kid.
2- after a day or so, give it a few shakes so the water sloshes around. If you see any sign of dirty water or particles that have come off the note, pour the water out, give the note a gentle water rinse and repeat the immersion with fresh distilled water.

If you don’t see any results, while the note is wet, gently roll a Q-Tip on the brown areas and see if that dirties the Q-tip. If so, continue CAREFULLY & GENTLY, as old paper currency is fragile.

My experience is that often no amount of soaking will help, but it’s a harmless way to find out

I may just give this a try. If so, I’ll post the before/after.

Conserving a Chief?

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