| Author |
 Replies: 29 / Views: 1,119 |
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
187446 Posts |
This is something I would never want to do without some practice and accepting the possibility a coin will be forever ruined. That being said, I believe the solution needs to be diluted, the dipping needs to be done quickly, and the coin needs to be thoroughly rinsed to remove all traces of the acid. Your experience (past or future) may vary.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
6448 Posts |
I am far from an expert in dipping, as I have never done it myself with an acid or base. But just from a mechanical perspective, I have to imagine this attempt would to end in disappointment. The mirror finish of a proof is from planchet polishing and work hardening. It is probably very shallow. That thick toning is a chemical interaction with the coin's mirror finish. If you chemically strip that away, I think you will end up with a visibly matte surface. Dipping probably works on business strike coins because removing a layer of metal results in something that closely resembles the business strike finish. This seems like a thread where BadThad or Sap will have some insights. You can buy proof Kennedy halves in that era from sellers like Sclora on ebay for about $4. If you really hate the way these look, I suggest selling them or giving them away and just buying replacements. Some folks might be really keen to own heavily toned proofs (not me, I'm a blast white kinda guy). They seem like a good contest giveaway. |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
5391 Posts |
Since they are probably hooped due to enviro
damage , you have little to lose.
Probably storednear a source of sulphur, ie
furnace .
Try this , quick 10 second rinse in Sudsy Ammonia,
then , wash with warm water.
Or MS70 will do the trick .
Edited by Pacificoin
02/17/2026 1:21 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
732 Posts |
Before and After of a dipped dollar  I use wood tongs to submerge it 2-3 times quickly in E-Z-est Then I dip it in distilled water Followed by multiple dips in 90% alcohol with a reposition of the coin in the tongs The final step is to dry the alcohol with canned compressed air with a reposition of the coin in the tongs so there aren't any trapped chemicals between the tongs and the coins edge Here is a pic I just took of the coin I dipped a couple years ago The spots on the right are camera reflection and it's a bit grainy because to not get a lot of reflection on the coin I have to take the picture from about 36" and use the 3x focus setting  Edited by Boba Debt
02/17/2026 2:03 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2330 Posts |
Quote:
Before and After of a dipped dollar Quote:
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper I would try pacificoin's suggestion on clad. smat |
|
Moderator
United States
94586 Posts |
well of course the 2 coins would display different, as one image in viewed from the top down and the other on an oblique angle.
A more accurate comparison that the 'after' image would also be flat and viewed from the same angle as the 'before' image.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
I wouldn't fiddle with these, the probably of ruining them permanently is too high. If you don't like the toning, sell them and buy new, untoned examples. I believe these are relatively inexpensive. Spare yourself the money, time and frustration.
|
|
Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
Sound advice.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
732 Posts |
Quote:
Dearborn wrote
A more accurate comparison that the 'after' image would also be flat and viewed from the same angle as the 'before' image. It tried to photograph it straight on but you could see everything, the phone,me the ceiling fan, in the reflection of the field. I wish I had taken the before pic at an angle because you could see the haze from any angle. Edited by Boba Debt
02/19/2026 02:01 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7504 Posts |
One thing to consider is the cost of the product that will exceed the premium on both coins pictured, these coins are impaired beyond revival and even if they were in a better condition no matter what product you use on PROOF coins 99% of times it will not produce any result.
Edited by Chase007
02/18/2026 1:34 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7504 Posts |
@Boba Debt please start your own topic for a better attention.
The OP's coins are completely defferent showing heavy hazing /toning. We are discussing the nominal affect of the cleaner on proof coins. Once a proof coin is impaired there will be no turn around.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
732 Posts |
Quote:
Chase 007 wrote
@Boba Debt please start your own topic for a better attention. First of all, YOU are not a moderator so stay in your lane. Secondly, the OP was asking about Acetone to clean a coin. I clean a lot of my coins because I don't care about resale value. I have used just about every chemical available from acetone to silver polish and I have real world experience with each of them. I also have cleaned old circulated coins in far worse shape than the one posted so I was offering him a solution based on my real experience, not what I have read about the different processes available. Thirdly, Dearborn, who is a moderator, posted a reply stating that the angle of my after image should have been the same for my sample coin to get a better comparison, so I obliged him |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7504 Posts |
Quote:
First of all, YOU are not a moderator so stay in your lane. No need to get worked up and throw harsh statement. It was a friendly suggestion since we had already seen the examples of your cleaning and remember this is an open dialog Forum so it is important we treat one another with respect regardless of our personal egos. Edited by Chase007
02/19/2026 2:16 pm
|
|
Moderator
United States
94586 Posts |
Thank you Boba Debt for the additional image. I'll relocate it to your other post up above for a better comparison for the OP.
|
| |
Replies: 29 / Views: 1,119 |
First Page
Posted 02/17/2026 12:58 pm
