I am new to this site, but it seems that you are deemed to be the expert on shipwreck coins on this site and I have a question for you. While in Key West on 11/4/12, I found a coin on the southern shore of Key West, actually on the beach near the high tide level, in front of the Casa Marina Resort Hotel. I can include photos of it as it was initially, and then after slight soaking and slight rubbing with baking soda, then later soaking it on a piece of foil in hot water with washing soda. After a lot of research and controversy about cleaning it or not and various methods, it seemed that both of these were relatively safe. However, I still can't identify the markings and nobody I've showed this to in Austin can either, nor is anyone an expert in shipwreck coins. I've also contacted several other people and sent photos, but the encrustation with coral is still preventing identification. I am reluctant to touch it more than necessary, but am not sure how to see the markings if it is not cleaned! It is currently in a jar of distilled water, hope that is ok. I've read the pros and cons of electrolysis and various acids.Any advice you can give me on this would be appreciated. If this needs to be professionally cleaned, any reference you could give me would be great.
I am wondering, also, what you think are the chances that this could be one of the Spanish reale silver cobs, perhaps a half reale? I understand that the effect of the brief trip of Hurricane Sandy near the Keys was causing some various coins to be washed up. This one is rather small, less than 1 inch in diameter. It seems to be silver and I realize that both the weight and the size can be diminished due to time in salt water and various factors there. Would this be the most likely of the coins to wash upn that location, in your opinion? Anyway, I am just curious what others may have found nearby, close to that time. One person that I emailed was [email protected], who stated this, "In Key West it could be almost anything from a coin from a galleon to a recent dime or even a foreign coin from anywhere around the world. Very long and active history there. That is what makes it difficult to venture a guess."
I was told to contact the Numismatic Conservation Society, which I did, but they said they rarely got shipwreck coins and it was possible that even if sent there for conservation, they would still not be able to identify it. Of course, they did not share their secret for conservation cleaning! Not sure this would be worthwhile. It seems to me that I need to find a shipwreck coin expert and you seem to be it! :-)
Here are both sides, before and after the minor cleaning. I have more from different angles, if I need to post those, as well.
if you can't help, perhaps you know someone on this site or elsewhere, who can assist. If it is still impossible to be identified, then should I keep trying to clean it myself.. and how? Or send it to a professional for conservation? And then who would then be best to identify it? I really appreciate any advise, opinions, or resources that any of you can give me!
Thank you so much!
:-) Karen
I am wondering, also, what you think are the chances that this could be one of the Spanish reale silver cobs, perhaps a half reale? I understand that the effect of the brief trip of Hurricane Sandy near the Keys was causing some various coins to be washed up. This one is rather small, less than 1 inch in diameter. It seems to be silver and I realize that both the weight and the size can be diminished due to time in salt water and various factors there. Would this be the most likely of the coins to wash upn that location, in your opinion? Anyway, I am just curious what others may have found nearby, close to that time. One person that I emailed was [email protected], who stated this, "In Key West it could be almost anything from a coin from a galleon to a recent dime or even a foreign coin from anywhere around the world. Very long and active history there. That is what makes it difficult to venture a guess."
I was told to contact the Numismatic Conservation Society, which I did, but they said they rarely got shipwreck coins and it was possible that even if sent there for conservation, they would still not be able to identify it. Of course, they did not share their secret for conservation cleaning! Not sure this would be worthwhile. It seems to me that I need to find a shipwreck coin expert and you seem to be it! :-)
Here are both sides, before and after the minor cleaning. I have more from different angles, if I need to post those, as well.
if you can't help, perhaps you know someone on this site or elsewhere, who can assist. If it is still impossible to be identified, then should I keep trying to clean it myself.. and how? Or send it to a professional for conservation? And then who would then be best to identify it? I really appreciate any advise, opinions, or resources that any of you can give me!
Thank you so much!
:-) Karen
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