Thread: Old coins and notes - where does one start

Originally Posted by W&KO

My mum stumbled across a bunch of old coins and notes. She was going to just drop them off at the historical museum....

The collection is from my grandfather travels during WWII, wrapped up in an old hanky.

Oh plus there was two grenades.

Either what’s the way forward, does a can of Coke still clean old coins?

Go to a coin store and get them valued, dont clean them though especially with coke. There is a special solution that doesn't damage the metal, again go them looked at and get put in the right direction.
Could be treasure, could be trash, I once found a coin from the 1700s. I thought it would be worth some money but it was only worth like $25 in mint condition.

Cheers

I'd start by getting rid of the grenades.

Agree with not cleaning them. You will devalue them by doing a DIY cleaning job. Get ( maybe a couple) of professional opinions.

The coke should clean up the grenades though

Nothing like these popping out of a hanky.

I see a 1951 50 Years of Federation medal. Every schoolkid in Australia was given one of these. I still have mine.

Unless they are collectable, coins outside their country of issue are virtually worthless except those with bullion content.

take them to a jeweller and have then cleaned in their ultrasonic cleaner , they'll come out like brand new and no damage. cost a few bucks.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

take them to a jeweller and have then cleaned in their ultrasonic cleaner , they'll come out like brand new and no damage. cost a few bucks.

Never Ever clean coins, Regardless of the method you WILL devalue them.
I am a numismatiss (coin collector) and have be collecting for decades so I do have some idea of how to look after coins.
From what I can see you have some PNG coins there (some of the ones with a hole in them) ant they are mildly collectable.
What are the notes denomination/origin?

As above. Do not clean them (at least until you have determined whether they are collectible). Most are probably worth little, but there may be some hidden gems among them. Notes are generally worthless, but a few can be valuable.

If there are PNG coins with holes these are collectible, and also are high percentage silver, as may be a few of the others.