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 Replies: 31 / Views: 3,476 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
The other day, a friend sent me a coin that he thought was corroded. I noticed some detail, so I gave it a DW soak. perhaps you can guess the coin type from the detail?   Here is how the obverse looked after the a soak and toothbrush scrub. There was a lot of hard verdigris on the face.  Here are both sides after soaking and carefully picking off dirt with a rose thorn. For the harder encrustation on the face, I tried something slightly risky: using a sharp x-acto #11 blade, if I carefully scraped the verdigris, it chips off and leaves what looks to be the original coin surface. There were a few pockmarks under the verdigris, and I made a few mistakes...but I'm generally happy with the results so far. Thoughts--what should else should I try?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Good job so far. Better then I can do I think. I have no patience any more.
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Valued Member
United States
309 Posts |
You are a treasure hunter, sir.
I wanted to try this.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
When coming across a coin of this nature is self cleaning the only option, or if you didnt want to ruin it from having no clue what you are doing is there a service or one of the TPGs you can send it to and let someone with far more knowledge than myself do it?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
937 Posts |
Excellent job, DVC!  Your method left all the good patina on it, so I wouldn't change it much at all. The exacto knife scares me a bit, but your rose thorn method was novel. IMO, using an organic yet very hard substance (like the rose thorn) is the best; it's harder than the verdigris and corrosion, so you can clean the coin fairly safely, but it's softer than the metal of the coin itself, so you shouldn't damage the surface. All in all, job well done! |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
Certainly a much better job than I did with my first few cleaners. Nice job!
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
The exacto knife scares me a bit, but your rose thorn method was novel.  It scares me too--I use a really light touch--and a loupe. I don't push the point into the coin...it's more like polishing the surface with the tip. The verdigris is softer than the coin surface, it will slowly rub off. Thanks for the all the comments! JW, thanks--I have patience for this coin, because it had some good potential. After this one, I'm not sure how many I can clean. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
DVC Excellent job, well done!
I need to know something about "DW". You have got me curious!
I understand your comment about patience. I have spent hours on just one coin, mechanically cleaning it with a safety pin. Quite a reasonable job in the end.
Nevertheless, my enthusiasm for the next coin has been severely diminished.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I enjoy working on coins like this, being able to reveal whats under all that dirt. Excellent job.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Very nice job, but perhaps you ain't finished with the reverse just yet? Also, how long did you soak the coin in DW?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
Fantastic dvc!
great before and after pics!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Thanks everyone! This was a lot of fun. I soaked this one overnight in DW, and a lot of dirt scrubbed off. I've soaked/cleaned for a few days to get where I am now. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Its always very satisfying when they come out like this - looks like BD (top of head and maybe neck) may have been starting too so its been well timed, the DW soak will probably have halted it already. Wish they all turned out like this!
Edited by bobbyhelmet
04/27/2012 11:06 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
DV that is great restoration! Congrats! And nice coin! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
510 Posts |
I used to use a #10 or #11 blade but was advised by a much more experienced cleaner to try a dental tool. The most important thing vs. a blade is the fine control you have. With a smaller tool you could get in the tighter spaces.
Others on Forvm recommend a needle in a pin vise, which I haven't tried. Either way you have to keep the tool sharp.
Whatever tool you use the point is to 'pop off' or lift the flakes of dirt, not bear down into the coin. Not all dirts or encrustations react the same way.
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Replies: 31 / Views: 3,476 |
Posted 04/27/2012 8:09 pm
