When Fido Meets Finance: Preserving Coins After Canine Encounters

When Man’s Best Friend Meets Mint Condition: A Coin Horror Story

There’s nothing worse than seeing precious coins lose their numismatic value to preventable disasters. That viral forum post about the “slobbered coin roll” hit close to home for me – a 30-year conservation specialist who’s witnessed more collector heartbreaks than I can count. Let’s turn this canine caper into your personal preservation masterclass, shall we?

“Set them aside as is for a while, and someday we can see coins certified with ‘ORIGINAL DOG SLOBBER TONING!'”
– A Collector With gallows Humor

Paws vs. Preservation: Anatomy of a Numismatic Disaster

Imagine this horror show: A prized BU roll fresh from the mint meets an overenthusiastic Labrador. Within minutes, we’ve got saliva-soaked coins, a compromised holder, and a collector’s nightmare. Beyond the dark humor about “rainbow toning,” this incident reveals four critical threats to your collection:

• Organic assault from biological contaminants
• PVC’s toxic embrace in aging plastic wrappers
• Toning time-bombs in damaged holders
• The siren call of destructive cleaning

1. The Bite of Biological Contaminants

While “dog slobber patina” might earn chuckles at coin shows, organic compounds wage chemical warfare on metallic surfaces. That saliva cocktail contains:

• Protein-melting enzymes
• Corrosion-accelerating electrolytes
• Sticky mucins that trap contaminants
• Alkaline pH levels hostile to silver

Unlike desirable cabinet toning, this biological brew creates ugly splotches that devour eye appeal. I’ve seen 19th-century coins with permanent “kisser marks” from similar exposures – tragic reminders that organic damage often strikes deeper than surface level.

Damage Control: Your 4-Step Triage Plan

1. Quarantine immediately: Isolate victims in archival paper sleeves
2. Blot, don’t rub: Use microfiber to lift moisture without disturbing luster
3. Magnify and monitor: Track toning progression under 10x loupe
4. Call reinforcements: Professional conservators if spots appear by day two

2. PVC – The Silent Collection Killer

When someone joked about “Mehgrig tube encasements”, they unknowingly spotlighted numismatics’ plastic pandemic. Degrading PVC holders ooze hydrochloric acid that:

• Eats into coin surfaces like tiny acid baths
• Leaves telltale greenish haze on silver
• Creates pitting that destroys mint state value

That chewed-up wrapper? A perfect storm for PVC contamination. I’ve held Morgan dollars where PVC damage turned $5,000 coins into $500 casualties – losses that make dog slobber look tame.

3. Armor for Your Assets: Storage Solutions That Work

From the incident photos (https://us.v-cdn.net/6027503/uploads/editor/9u/euqblopmp4ip.jpeg), we know the original holder failed spectacularly. Here’s how to protect your treasures:

The Collector’s Storage Trinity

• Mylar® flips: Crystal clarity meets chemical stability – my go-to for raw coins
• Archival-grade albums: Linen-lined pages for century-long protection
• Professional slabs: NGC/PCGS holders for top-tier registry coins

For mint roll collectors? Invest in Lighthouse Quadrums with humidity control packs. These maintain original surfaces so effectively, I’ve seen 1960s SMS coins emerge with blast-white luster decades later.

4. The Cleaning Conundrum: When Hands Off Means Money Saved

The forum’s debate about “unique versus damaged” surfaces reveals our community’s eternal tension. Let me be blunt: Cleaning uncirculated coins is like performing surgery with a chainsaw. Three cardinal sins I’ve witnessed:

Cleaning Crimes That Crush Value

• Scrubbing that leaves hairline scratches visible under raking light
• Chemical dips stripping original patina and toning
• Overzealous polishing that rounds sharp strikes

Those dog-salvaged coins? Left alone, they might retain collectibility as conversation pieces. But clean them improperly, and you’ll watch 80% of their numismatic value evaporate faster than alcohol on a proof finish.

When to Call Conservation Cavalry

• Active verdigris threatening silver surfaces
• PVC residue creating sticky “weeping” holders
• Rare varieties needing professional stabilization

For this slobber-gate situation? My prescription:

1. Photograph the “crime scene” for provenance documentation
2. Air-dry vertically in Bainbridge trays
3. Submit to NGC Conservation with full disclosure

5. Fort Knox for Your Flips: Environment Matters

Jokes about “canine CRS training” aside, true collectors control their microclimates. After stabilizing casualties, build your defense with:

The Collector’s Climate Commandments

Convert a wine fridge for small collections, or install climate-controlled cabinets for serious holdings. And remember – display cases should be Fort Knox against pets, kids, and overcurious guests!

Epilogue: From Disaster to Display Piece

While we chuckle at forum quips about “canine certification,” this ordeal reveals deeper truths. That mangled roll could evolve into a legendary collectible with proper care – imagine its provenance tag: “Survived Fido’s Feast of 2024!”

Mastering preservation means understanding toning’s alchemy, outsmarting plastic perils, choosing archival armor, and resisting the cleaning urge. As one sage collector noted: “Dogs leave scars; knowledge leaves legacies.” Lock down your storage, document mishaps, and redirect Fido’s affection to approved chew toys (yes, www.Labarkeria.dog made me smile). Your future collecting self – and your coins’ next caretaker – will reap the rewards.

Related Resources

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