Corroded Rolls

[Fulvio]

So, in a moment of weakness today, I bought a big box of early 80's rolls, for about double face value.

Now, I knew the copper with the green ends was likely ruined, but since the metal price is more than that, I didn't really care.

I figured the CuNi rolls only had verdigris on the end coins, and worst case I'd break them open and toss the ends.

The perfect rolls including a couple of '85 $1's should make the excercise worthwhile, along with the copper.

But while heat-sealing them, a 1982 20¢ roll burst open, and I found that although the faces are pristine, the edges are all badly corroded, and its starting to creep over the rims.

So, my question is this...

What's the best thing to do with such rolls?

• Wrap and stash, and hope for the best.
• Flog them off as quickly as possible.
• Break them down and:
  ° Store each coin in separate mounts/bags.
  ° Sell off those that show signs of infection.
  ° Try and treat the problem as much as possible.
  ° Throw them into the pond and wear the loss.

I know that verdigris doesn't technically alter the fact that they're UNC, but it wouldn't feel right to deceive people, and I can't see anyone knowingly buying an affected coin. I wouldn't, unless it was a bulk lot like this with some redeeming qualities.

[trout]

Sounds like you have bought a lemon Mate.
Sounds like you will have to suck it and see :diablo::laugh2:

[markn]

Put them in some acetone and see if the green comes off.  If it does and it hasn't impaired the surfaces then keep them.  If it has, get rid of them.

[Fulvio]

Put them in some acetone and see if the green comes off.

That's never worked for me yet.

So, what I've decided to do is open the obviously corroded rolls, sort them and seal them individually to prevent further damage for now.

From five rolls so far of 1982 20¢, I've found two coins that have only slightly discoloured edges but no damage on their faces. These will be bagged individually.

The end coins and any with major problems are going into the pond.

About 20% have significant corrosion but otherwise no damage, and these I'll play with to see if I can find a way to "improve" them. I know that's not going to happen, but its worth experimenting.

The rest are going into strips of ten, separated into individual pockets, and clearly labelled as corroded. Who knows, maybe someone will be silly enough to offer a small premium over face value one day.

Oh yeah, and two "orange peels" as mentioned elsewhere.

One thing I've noticed is that most of these coins have a very weak SD, with the D being practically nonexistent. Yet the rest of the coin is fully struck. Too consistent to be a fill I think... is there a known issue with the SD in 1982?

[trout]

What a "Bummer" mate :dash1:
I was hoping you would find some Gems in that bunch :cray:

[Fulvio]

What a "Bummer" mate :dash1:
I was hoping you would find some Gems in that bunch :cray:

Yeah, well, this is only the 1982 20¢. There's $500 worth of rolls all up, every denomination up to 1985 $1 (which appear to be in perfect nick. I'm not opening good rolls).

I figure the known good rolls are worth more than I paid, as is the copper. So its just the dodgy silver that's a problem. If these 82's were ok, they'd be worth up to $15 each, according to the eBay bible, so it was a reasonable risk to take.

And I've got these strips down pat now. I load ten coins into the tube, alternating faces. Seal the double-sided 2x2 label into the end, throw one coin at a time at it, double seal (so they can be cut apart later if needed) them, then the finished strip folds neatly into the 2" bank bag cutoffs from doing my rolls. Its a good way to do bulk coins I want to be able to actually see and therefore rolls are unsuited for.

Its all a learning excercise, so I'm not too fussed about the premium I paid really. I've learned to seal ALL rolls in future, regardless of source. I've developed the database further to enhance labelling, and I've come up with methods that work. Now I just need a workable storage system for all these packets.

[trout]

What a "Bummer" mate :dash1:
I was hoping you would find some Gems in that bunch :cray:

Yeah, well, this is only the 1982 20¢. There's $500 worth of rolls all up, every denomination up to 1985 $1 (which appear to be in perfect nick. I'm not opening good rolls).

I figure the known good rolls are worth more than I paid, as is the copper. So its just the dodgy silver that's a problem. If these 82's were ok, they'd be worth up to $15 each, according to the eBay bible, so it was a reasonable risk to take.

And I've got these strips down pat now. I load ten coins into the tube, alternating faces. Seal the double-sided 2x2 label into the end, throw one coin at a time at it, double seal (so they can be cut apart later if needed) them, then the finished strip folds neatly into the 2" bank bag cutoffs from doing my rolls. Its a good way to do bulk coins I want to be able to actually see and therefore rolls are unsuited for.

Its all a learning excercise, so I'm not too fussed about the premium I paid really. I've learned to seal ALL rolls in future, regardless of source. I've developed the database further to enhance labelling, and I've come up with methods that work. Now I just need a workable storage system for all these packets.

I will PM my address if you have a problem with storage :angel:

[Fulvio]

I will PM my address if you have a problem with storage :angel:

I said "workable". Burying a 40' container in a backyard in the middle of nowhere hardly qualifies.

Perhaps plan drawers might do the job though... paper's as heavy as coins, so those things are built tough.

[trout]

Burying a 40' container in a backyard in the middle of nowhere hardly qualifies.

We cold do an "Area 54" for coins Mate :blum3:

[Fulvio]

We cold do an "Area 54" for coins Mate :blum3:

That's an awesome idea. Got just the spot too.. near Woomera. The old USAF ground station should do nicely.