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 Replies: 23 / Views: 3,390 |
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New Member
 9 Posts |
I see.
So the green ones cant be removed?
How about those dark patches? I see tht it cant be removed.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8715 Posts |
You cannot reverse the effect of pitted surfaces/corrosion unless you alter the surfaces of the coin. Refer to Earle's advice for conserving coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2523 Posts |
Quote:
So acetone will remove the corrosion? No. acetone will safely remove stuff stuck to the coins surface (grease, gum, glue, etc). Corrosion is damage to the coin (chemical change to the metal). There may be ways to stop the spreading of the corrosion, but the damage is already done. Unless a coin is a key date or an early copper (expensive in even low grades) nobody wants a corroded coin and IMO not worth trying to conserve. |
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New Member
9 Posts |
Ok noted.
I'll try to wash with water and dishwashing soap first. Hopefully can remove the dark patches around.
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
24885 Posts |
 To the Forum. |
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New Member
9 Posts |
Quote:
No. acetone will safely remove stuff stuck to the coins surface (grease, gum, glue, etc). Corrosion is damage to the coin (chemical change to the metal). There may be ways to stop the spreading of the corrosion, but the damage is already done. Unless a coin is a key date or an early copper (expensive in even low grades) nobody wants a corroded coin and IMO not worth trying to conserve. Thanks for advice. How about the faded/ decolorise coins? is that irreversible too? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2523 Posts |
Quote:
How about the faded/ decolorise coins? is that irreversible too? A cleaned coin will forever remain a cleaned coin. However, in time, the copper & brass coins should darken & look a little more presentable. Probably take several years without the help of artificial toning or coloring. Not sure about the others as I've never done to them what you have.  I do have some brass tokens that have sentimental value only & used ketchup to halt the corrosion some years ago (probably worse than what you did since it contains acidic tomatoes, vinegar & salt).  They are starting to darken. My 1909S Lincoln I bought over 25 years ago was cleaned. (dealer disclosed but I was less knowledgeable back then) It is no longer red, but I can tell that it was cleaned because color is different from other coins in my set. Looks unnatural is the only way I can describe it. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
With non proof gold coins, in less than MS60, cleaning with clean fingers, using good old soap and water is fine. Finish with a thorough rinse, and pat dry. Best for ancient and hammered gold coins.
Same applies to low value non proof coins of any sort.
Acetone which is a good solvent for organic substances only, is harmless on coins, but I rarely use it.
I am not a fan of a dark patina on a coin, but I will always leave it undisturbed.
In general, I rarely feel inclined to clean any coin. Most coins don't need cleaning anyway.
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New Member
9 Posts |
I still have a few coins dipped in vinegar/salt and then rinse with water yesterday.
At first it was ok, can see the difference. But after rinse and dry, it turns darker. Why is that? Is it non-reversible?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
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I'll try to wash with water and dishwashing soap first. Personally I've avoid the dishwashing liquid. Most of them are detergents and some detergents can react with the coinage metals. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
@ coin123 > You keep putting yourself back into a cleaning mode . Read our lips: DO NOT clean your coins ! Water rinse and pat dry on old dirty coins is the only way to go without being condemned . IF you want to conserve your coins then soak in Acetone and or an application of a product called Verdi-Care .
Edited by T-BOP
05/20/2018 07:09 am
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New Member
9 Posts |
Hi T-BOP,
Thats the intention; to clean the coins previously.
Now the coins are getting faded color. Which is why I ask if there's a reversible way ?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Do not use tap water on coins. Do not use soaps of any kind on coins. You do not know what is in tap water nor do you know what is in any soaps. Dishwater soaps could contain almost anything. Using any tap water or any soap on a coin is really taking a chance since you don't know what your really using. Please get some distilled water from a store and only use that on coins. Also, Acetone is OK. IF you really don't care about the coins values, go to a place like Walmart and get some jewelry cleaner solution. Usually harsh enough and strong enough to get rid of things on coins but just remember, also will possibly remove some of the coins metal. Using this will really make your coins just cleaned coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7969 Posts |
coin123,
In my opinion, most of what I see on your coins looks like uneven oxidation/corrosion on the surfaces.
This is a natural process, and there is usually nothing you can do about it.
If you see what looks like dirt, grime,or a sticky substance on your coins, you can use some of the remedies mentioned by others (detergent or acetone), but it looks to me like you mostly have normal environmental effects to the coin surfaces (as mentioned by another poster).
This is what coins normally look like, and attempts to make them bright and shiny are likely to make them look worse instead of better.
Edited by tdziemia
05/20/2018 10:03 am
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
The coins you've shown are already damaged. That damage is irreversible.
A cleaned copper, brass, or bronze coin will NEVER return to the original color, even if naturally re-toned.
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Replies: 23 / Views: 3,390 |
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First Page
Posted 05/20/2018 12:53 am
