Coins lost in a fire

Michigan · June 27, 2007 3:08AM

I just read an article about the Lake Tahoe area forest fires and someone mentioned coins they had in a can were completely melted away.

I wonder how many collections have been lost in this awful fire? In the great scheme of things that is probably not the biggest concern
of a home owner but for numismatics it is a shame.

saintguru · June 27, 2007 3:14AM

I can say with 100% confidence that Tahoedale is safe and sound.

He was the first one I thought of.

Geoman · June 27, 2007 3:16AM

I have a similar warning about placing coins in a safe in your basement. While not a fire, I heard of a coin collector how had their collection ruined when their basement flooded. He had a safe sunk into the floor, and when it flooded the safe filled with water. He didn't even think about it until months later; and when he opened up the safe, all coins and paper money were ruined sitting in this nasty, stinking water for months. I suppose this is relevent to people with safes sitting on the floor in the basement as well, as the water could reach a few feet deep and get into those safes as well.

Good lessons learned by fires, floods, etc.

blu62vette · June 27, 2007 3:38AM

The good news for the coins is that some of the areas hit are vacation homes or rentals and likely wouldnt have coins inside. That is the end of the good news.

The cabin I frequent is currently evacuated, hope those winds stay down today or it will be a goner. Just a shame going to that area my entire life to see this happen......

Michigan · June 27, 2007 4:18AM

<< <i>The good news for the coins is that some of the areas hit are vacation homes or rentals and likely wouldnt have coins inside. That is the end of the good news.

The cabin I frequent is currently evacuated, hope those winds stay down today or it will be a goner. Just a shame going to that area my entire life to see this happen...... >>

The fires seem to be very erratic, I read in USA Today where one couple lost everything they owned while someone elses house just a few doors down was completely untouched by the fire.

SilverBaron · June 27, 2007 4:36AM

Very true...... No safe is water tight...if it was, it would become a pressure cooker bomb in a long fire...IF you keep your collection in a safe that may be flooded, be sure to keep every thing in water tight bags or containers with desicant!!

blu62vette · June 27, 2007 4:40AM

I saw a picture of thast today you were looking through where a house had been standing at the neighbor who had defensible space. One perfect one completely destroyed. Amazing.

Michigan · June 27, 2007 4:58AM

It is so sad to see, most of the homes that were destroyed now only have the chimmney standing.

Longacre · June 27, 2007 5:27AM

<< <i>I can say with 100% confidence that Tahoedale is safe and sound.

He was the first one I thought of. >>

Good to hear. TahoeDale is not a big fan of mine, but he was the first that I thought of when I heard of the fires. Nice to hear he's OK.

Oldnewbie · June 27, 2007 5:36AM

I'm in Carson City. The winds are just now begining to pick up and the sky is filling with smoke again.

It was calm and cool last night. I hope the firefighters got a good line built.

blu62vette · June 27, 2007 5:38AM

So do I...

You going to the show at the Mint in Late Aug, the 25th I beleive?

Oldnewbie · June 27, 2007 5:43AM

Yep, every year.

blu62vette · June 27, 2007 5:46AM

Same here. I go with my dad and we follow it with awful awful burgers at the casino across the street, The Nugget I beleive. It is a nice show. Not the biggest but a good size and it is always fun going into the mint.

Oldnewbie · June 27, 2007 5:49AM

You should turn on your "Private Message" function so I can reply to you without hijacking this thread.

Edit: "Awful Awful" burgers are the best!

Second edit: I'm blind, your PM function is on.

cladking · June 27, 2007 7:43AM

It's not only collections being destroyed at the rate of about 1% annually, it's
also circulating coinage. This disappears at a much higher rate because of its
nature and tendency to be lost. Each year each individual coin gets lighter from
wear and eventually are usually melted to recover the value of their metal.

I might have mentioned it before but time flies, and the nature of time is to change
everything.

tr8cer · June 27, 2007 7:49AM

I bought an inexpensive firesafe that is also waterproof to keep my valuables in. Only cost around $50 - $60. I really bought it just in case of fire or flood, not really something that would keep a burglar out. Just something to keep meaningful things safe.

Coins lost in a fire

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