Acetone

I got mine at Walmart also,

I also have gotten into the habit of putting my JFKs from roll searching into acetone before they go into the album/2X2s/or rolls. This way I am sure there is no organic stuff that may grow on them.


While roll searching I am upgrading JFKs all the time and each one gets the treatment.

A few minutes in acetone is a great idea for newly-bought silver as long as there are no considerations regarding removing inappropriate stuff. PVC infestation is not visible in initial stages.

Very good topic, it's helping me a lot. I am in a kind of "journey to coins conservation". Want to learn and learn. Thanks!

Home Depot, Lowe's any hardware shop should have it ( Walmart is ripping you off) $3-5 for a quart of the stuff usually is what I find it for, I only go through a can every couple of years.

Be sure you use this stuff away from any source of flame, and outside perferably, as it's quite dangerous and flamable. The fumes can knock you out too.

Using Acetone on coins can not effect the metal. There are many things to consider using Acetone though. Mainly use clean glass containers for dipping your coins. In many instances people use a plastic that melts in Acetone. Not good idea. And remember that if you use your fingers to place the coin in the Acetone, STUFF from your fingers gets into the Acetone too and when the coin is removed, the Acetone that evaporates may leave STUFF on the coin. If you use any metal tongs, tweezers, etc to place the coin in the Acetone, make sure they too are clean. Primarily always remember that Acetone is highly flamable. Do not smoke, light candles, etc. in it's precense. By me Acetone sells at every Walmart, Kmart, Menards, Ace Hardware, etc. for about $4/quart. Prior to using Aceotne always test by placing a small amount on a open, clean glass dish. Allow to evaporate. If any residue at all, the Acetone is contaminated.

RES: Here in the USA there are two types of nail polish remover. If it says for soft brittle nails avoid that one. It's the other kind you want cause then when you look on the contents label it should then say acetone.

A proper dip won't affect gradability either. But to answer your question, distilled water, acetone, and xylene are all nonreactive with silver coins and shouldn't cause any issues. They may reveal issues, but certainly won't cause them.

I may be wrong but I've never seen fingernail polish remover that is pure Acetone. The reason is women use it to remove fingernail polish. Other ingrediants have been added for a decent odor, softeners, etc. Every bottle of fingernail polish I've ever seen contains way to much STUFF to consider using on coins.