"Soft" coins

[Guest]

This question has probably been posted before, but I am having trouble finding the information I need. I am working on a routine that will require "soft" coins. (Not Three-Fly btw) I am using 4 old Walking Liberty Halves. They look nice, but they're not soft enough. I have heard that there is a way to wear them down and soften them up manually. Anybody know? I would prefer to do this if I can. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jamie

[Guest]

The best soft coins are Barber Heads. As far as wearing them down yourself, a coin dealer once told me to carry them around with other change, which is fine if you want to wait 37 years.
Use Barber Heads, they're the best.

[Guest]

Jamie, if you wish to continue using the Liberties, email me. I have a number of soft liberties. I've done a lot of work (in my mind) on how to make coins soft. I have a metalworking background, so it's great interest to me. If the coins are already worn some, I have a method of making them quieter. If they aren't worn, the method I have doesn't work as well. For instance, I recently took some Morgan Dollars that were of the scrap variety, but they were not all that quiet amongst each other. After I finished, you couldn't tell I had worked on them and they were twice as quiet as when I started.

I will continue to work on methods to do this, and it's a real challenge. It's easy to do, but to do it in a fairly timely manner and have a consistant finish is another story.

Email me if you want some liberties. I think I paid about $2.50 each for them. Cover that + postage and they are yours.

P.S. - I have not altered the soft Liberties I have. They are simply worn coins.

[ November 11, 2001: Message edited by: Steve S. ]

[Todd Lassen]

Jamie, you can find the really soft walking liberty halfs at your local coin shop. They are a bit harder to find and you may have to look through a few piles, but they are in there. If you cant find them, I have quite a few. They will look so much nicer than coins you soften up yourself. I make shells out of them too. And yes, the barbers are excellent soft coins. Cheers.

[Guest]

Thanks for the info.
I actually found that using a certain type of sandpaper (not sure exacly what kind, but it was a softer grade) and a little water worked real well. It only took me about an hour to do 4 coins and they look great. They are very soft, and they still retain a lot of the color and features of the coins (You can still tell they are Walking Liberties) It certainly beats trying to find already worn coins that look similar.

Jamie

[Mr. Alexander]

Todd I am looking for a shell to match my set of soft coins, mine are very worn do you think you can accomodate them. They are 1918 walking liberty.