How I Rapidly Returned Looted Navy Coins in 3 Efficient Steps (Works in Under 24 Hours)

Need to Fix This TODAY? My Battle-Tested Method

Last spring, five tarnished coins landed on my shop counter. My Navy training kicked in immediately – these weren’t just old metal. They were pieces of American history screaming to go home. As a Chicago coin dealer and former Petty Officer, I perfected a 3-step system that’s returned every single artifact I’ve found. Let me show you exactly how I got USS Yorktown coins back to the Navy in less than a day.

How I Spotted USS Yorktown Artifacts in 90 Seconds

The Dealer’s Eye Test

When sorting bulk coins, do this quick scan:

• Always flip first: Handwritten slips like “USS Yorktown 1850” are flashing alarm bells
• Date detective work: Pre-1900 US coins clustered together? That’s not normal circulation
• Corrosion tells stories: Crusty edges with pitting? Classic saltwater damage from shipwrecks

“My hands actually shook when I saw the flips – two U.S. halves from the 1830s, a Mexican 8 Reales, and coins from Bolivia and Brazil. This wasn’t someone’s childhood collection.”

Navy History Speed Run

Within minutes at my shop computer, I confirmed:

• USS Yorktown sank off Africa in 1850 chasing slave ships
• All hands survived – meaning artifacts aren’t grave goods
• Coins matched crew payment records exactly

The Legal Shortcut That Saves Hours

Cutting Through Navy Red Tape

Forget law libraries – here’s what matters:

UNCLOS Article 298(1)(c):
"Sunken warships remain sovereign property unless expressly abandoned"

(Translation: Navy keeps its toys forever)

• Zero time limit on military property claims
• Naval History & Heritage Command (NHHC) handles ALL returns
• They care more about getting stuff back than punishing finders

The Email That Gets Replies in 2 Hours

Use my proven NHHC template:

Subject: URGENT – Possible USS [SHIP NAME] Artifacts

Body:
1) “Found these coins marked [SHIP NAME] – photos attached”
2) “Purchased [DATE] from [LOCATION/SELLER]”
3) “My contact info: [PHONE/EMAIL]”
4) “Holding securely until I hear from you”

Pro tip: Send before 11 AM EST – curators reply fastest then.

From Your Hands to the Navy in 4 Hours

The Shipping Sprint

Once NHHC replies:

• Step 1: Print their UPS label (faster than waiting for mail)
• Step 2: Pack with simple inventory: “5 coins, 2 flips” on copy paper
• Step 3: Hand to UPS driver – no store drop-offs for speed

Why Veterans Get VIP Treatment

My service shaved hours off the process:

• Opened my email with “Former PN2 reporting possible artifacts”
• Noted the Yorktown’s anti-slavery mission (curators love this)
• Included die varieties only collectors would notice

“The NHHC curator later told me: ‘Your email had everything we need – most people make us play 20 questions.'”

Real Timeline From Discovery to Delivery

Thursday’s Whirlwind

My actual clock:

• 9:00 AM: Found coins in estate lot
• 9:12 AM: Finished Navy archives search
• 10:08 AM: NHHC’s “Send immediately” reply
• 1:45 PM: UPS driver scanned my package
• Friday 9:57 AM: Navy’s confirmation email

Where Your Coins Will Live

My Yorktown pieces now sit beside:

• The ship’s bell recovered in 2002
• A surgeon’s kit salvaged in 2018
• Captain’s navigation charts preserved in climate control

3 Time Traps That Will Delay You

Don’t Waste Minutes Here

Skip these dead ends:

• eBay “research”: Illegal to sell = worthless price checks
• Collector forums: Hours of debates with zero authority
• Coin grading: Salt destroys surfaces – no dealer wants these

Myth Busting With Morgan

After @MorganWhite tried keeping artifacts:

“Got a VERY polite Navy JAG letter explaining federal law. Returned everything next day with apology.”

Your 3-Step Battle Plan

The Veteran-Approved Checklist

When you find potential Navy coins:

1. PHOTO & RESEARCH (10 mins max)
   • Snap clear pics of coins and labels
   • Google “[Ship Name] + shipwreck + navy”
2. ALERT NHHC (1 hour tops)
   • Email NHHC@navy.mil using my template
   • Call 202-433-7883 if no reply by lunch
3. EXPRESS SHIP (4 hours active)
   • Pack like you’re shipping grandma’s china
   • Get that tracking number!

Bonus Wins You Didn’t Expect

Why Speed Pays Off

My quick action led to:

• NHHC inviting me to authenticate future finds
• A featured story in CoinWorld
• Serious collectors seeking my expertise

“We’re not just dealers – we’re history’s middlemen. These artifacts deserve to finish their journey home.”

Your Mission Starts Now

Follow this blueprint to:

• Resolve Navy artifact issues before dinner time
• Stay safely within federal law
• Become the go-to expert in your network

Here’s the truth – my record is 6 hours from dusty flip to Navy confirmation. Your turn. Those coins waited 170 years at the bottom of the ocean. Let’s get them home before lunch.

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