Submitting extemely brittle mutilated bills to BEP. How to get them there without them turning into literal dust?
Lost a wallet in the dirt/leaves over winter, and I will be submitting them to the BEP. Got the paperwork filled out, ready to go. They are/were two $20's folded twice along vertical axis.
Clueless me saw that they were extremely brittle. I thought a nice soak might correct things, so I soaked them in water for a few days. People of this forum probably already know that was not the way to go! Post-soak, I unfolded and separated them as best I could and laid them out to dry. I have several large pieces, but they are still extremely brittle.
How can I get them to the BEP for evaluation without them disintegrating into dust on the way?
Their website says:
- If the currency is brittle or inclined to fall apart, pack it carefully in plastic and cotton without disturbing the fragments and place the package in a secure container.
- If the currency was flat when mutilated, do not roll, fold, laminate, tape, glue or in any other way alter the currency in an attempt to preserve it. (whoops! too late!)
What do they mean by packing it in plastic and cotton? I was thinking of a sealed plastic bag, bag taped to a stiff cardboard backer, in an air- bubbled envelope, in another air-bubbled envelope. Or maybe sealed plastic bag, in a very small box, stabilized by tape, inside another box with loads of packing peanuts to absorb damage.
Any ideas will be appreciated! Thank you!