Expert: Joe Hylas - 2/16/2006

Question
My father had an extenstive coin collection stored in cardboard folders, plastic "pocket" folders, and in individual cardboard & plastic folders.  The entire collection was covered in sea water during Hurricane Katrina, and then soaked for weeks before they were salvaged.  The result is a soggy moldy mess.  I can't even identify the coin types.  I want to rescue the coins, but am afraid of damaging the value by cleaning.  What should I do?  

Answer
Hello Ann,
I'm sorry to hear about that.  What I would do first is gently place the coins in bowl or shallow dish and fill it with spring water or distilled water.  Let it sit a few hours then slowly remove the coins one at a time and remove them from their holders.
Again place them in another dish of clean water.  This should remove the major contaminents.  Simply getting them out of the holders will be a big help.
Lay the coins out on a soft towel to dry but do not rub them, simply pat them dry with another soft cloth.  Then reholder them.
If the coins are truly rare coins, there is a company called NCS, a division of NGC grading service which conserves coins.  It is costly but in some cases, it may be worthwhile.
Feel free to email me at JoeHylas@aol.com if you have another question or need more help.  Good Luck!

Joe Hylas