Removing Creases from Paper and Polymer Notes

Hello,

Would anyone like to suggest the best way to unwrinkle, what would be otherwise, an uncirculated paper banknote as well as a polymer note?

https://en.numista.com/forum/topic126170.html

Depends.

If you have fabric like USD, you can put it in liquid and iron it after drying. This will usually make corners less sharp and degrade the banknote. You will not be able to grade your banknote afterwards without comments like cleaned, pressed etc.

For polymer banknotes, usually high temperature helps, but make sure you dont burn your banknote

I had the whole album of banknotes which were initially UNC but got wrinkled due to humidity. They are still UNC with crisp corners but due to large security threads ( for example 50 libyan dinars) they look a bit deformed.

Absolute best way is to store banknotes in sleeves, however restrict access of air to sleeves like in PMG or PCGS holders to make them air tight. 

Even though people dont like slabbed or sealed stuff because it makes numismatics more expensive it is the best way to preserve banknotes for long period of time. I learned my lesson after having 500 euros worth of banknotes all deformed lol. 

xrp

Depends.

 

If you have fabric like USD, you can put it in liquid and iron it after drying. This will usually make corners less sharp and degrade the banknote. You will not be able to grade your banknote afterwards without comments like cleaned, pressed etc.

For polymer banknotes, usually high temperature helps, but make sure you dont burn your banknote

 

I had the whole album of banknotes which were initially UNC but got wrinkled due to humidity. They are still UNC with crisp corners but due to large security threads ( for example 50 libyan dinars) they look a bit deformed.

 

Absolute best way is to store banknotes in sleeves, however restrict access of air to sleeves like in PMG or PCGS holders to make them air tight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to expose the polymer notes to the high temperature (and how high)? One way that comes to mind is laying it on a hot plate on a stove but then again how much of fire and for how long (because I don't wanna fry my high value note in an experiment)?

rsirian1

https://en.numista.com/forum/topic126170.html

There's only one way mentioned there and everyone discouraged it.

thegamesbond

xrp

Depends.

 

If you have fabric like USD, you can put it in liquid and iron it after drying. This will usually make corners less sharp and degrade the banknote. You will not be able to grade your banknote afterwards without comments like cleaned, pressed etc.

For polymer banknotes, usually high temperature helps, but make sure you dont burn your banknote

 

I had the whole album of banknotes which were initially UNC but got wrinkled due to humidity. They are still UNC with crisp corners but due to large security threads ( for example 50 libyan dinars) they look a bit deformed.

 

Absolute best way is to store banknotes in sleeves, however restrict access of air to sleeves like in PMG or PCGS holders to make them air tight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to expose the polymer notes to the high temperature (and how high)? One way that comes to mind is laying it on a hot plate on a stove but then again how much of fire and for how long (because I don't wanna fry my high value note in an experiment)?

Depends on type of polymer. This has to be done carefully and you will have to have few spare notes to try. Risks are same as with ironing regular banknotes, you can bend the corners, make colors a bit pale.

If you have strong UV lamp, IR lamp, hot plate, whatever, just give it a try and make sure you know what you are doing.

It shouldt take too long if you didnt fold the banknote. 

Remember, your UNC banknote is filled with moisture and moisture is removed with heat

This is how I store banknotes

Lighthouse grande pages cut into three pieces with scotch tape seal on top

Upper two have been crisp for more than 5 years without a single wrinkle

thegamesbond

rsirian1

https://en.numista.com/forum/topic126170.html

 

There's only one way mentioned there and everyone discouraged it.

Actually two. Yes, I know everyone discouraged them.  Hence the reason for pointing that post out to you. 

It is not possible to remove creases from paper or polymer notes - such damage will always be detectable by an experienced grader or collector. 

You would be just damaging your notes further.

Creases due to pressing, crushing and  folding cannot be removed and are detectable by graders. BUT. Any deformation related to humidity can be removed almost completely with gradual heating. I saved some of my banknotes like this without damaging them.