Need coin recovery advice

[dfxdude]

My sister gave me 3 rounds of acylic with coins imbedded in them from some kids project from about 40 years ago. Newest coin is 1961, oldest 1941. The acrylic is about 1/2" to 3/4" thick. What can be used to dissolve this without major damage to the coins?. There are 7 Canadian or British coins in one, three Indianhead pennies in another and an unknown copper coin in the 3rd. Will acetone do the trick?

 

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[kdfritton]

I would give heat a try..

 

[erikk]

Acetone

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Physically remove as much as you can with a Dremel or rasp and then immerse in lacquer thinner (used for thinning acrylic based paints). I'd test the lacquer thinner on a few less valuable coins first. I don't think it will hurt the metal but I don't know if it will darken or stain it.

 

[BioProfessor]

Lots of times when these are made, they pour a layer of acrylic, put the coins in the middle, and then finish filling the mold with acrylic. When they are made in this fashion, sometimes the exposed acrylic and the coins cures a bit. When they finish pouring, there is a boundary line from this partial curing. Sometimes it is a good fracture line. Take a look on the side of the piece and see if you can see a line running all the way around. If so, you have a good fracture line. Take a wood chisel and try some fairly light taps on the line. Go around the piece at least once. Many times, the piece will break in half along the line and the coins will be much easier to remove and should not be damaged.

Daryl