We all need a good laugh tonight; at least it is real history
 

Back in 1975, in the early years of our relationship, David and I fancied that we might be "numismatists," LOL. We made a number of astute and not so astute investments. We bought a single Gold American Eagle at a good price that we sold near the high. We also bought a BU Walking Liberty Half that turned out to be Extra Fine -- that was a bummer. And, here's the good laugh: We bought a bunch of rolls of brand new pennies that we stored in plastic tubes with olive oil (to keep them brilliant uncirculated and pretty.)

Tonight I brought one of those rolls of pennies up from the basement to see what rare treasures we had. The olive oil had long ago turned green from the copper. And, of course, the pennies were sticky, oily beyond belief. I actually had trouble shaking them out of the plastic tube. A good cleaning in Joy liquid detergent and boiling water left them nicely toned (with a green cast.) I dumped the roll of pennies into a small bowl of Tarnex. That did the trick alright. Now they are certainly clean copper, although certainly not BU.

And that is perhaps not such a bad deal. They didn't cost much then and now they've doubled in value. It is a commentary on the failing value of our currency, and it is a commentary on youthful fantasies. Now, if only I can find a way to clean all those rolls (thirty or so) of greasy pennies without spending more on cleaning supplies than the copper is worth!

Oh, and here is the really funny part. As I said, we salted away these pennies in the very early days of our relationship (we met in 1971.) They are clearly labled, roll-by-roll, "Dave's 1975 Ds" and "Steve's 1975 Ds". Isn't that fascinating? Then we were carefully keeping our assets separated. Today, all these years later, the money is all stirred together and tonight it all belongs to "us."

I hope that you all are able to overlook your prejudices and see the same humor in that that we do.

Re: We all need a good laugh tonight; at least it is real history
 

Wash the grease off of them and then take them to your local jeweler. :5_1_120:

Re: We all need a good laugh tonight; at least it is real history
 

aren't the 2009 nickels & dimes & pennies really low mintages ... so that if there is still a hobby of coin collecting in 50 years - they will be quite valuable ?