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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,725 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
I've heard of people using vinegar to restore dates on Buffalo nickels. I've got several that i'd like to restore just for the sake of possibly filling some holes. I figure that since these are practically worthless in their current, dateless condition, what the heck at least give them their identity back. what's the method for restoring with vinegar? is it a simple straightforward soaking in distilled vinegar? or is there more involved that I'm missing? any tips on how to get these dates to come back would be greatly appreciated. |
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
Glass bowl with white vinegar will work. Just a simple soak should start bringing the dates out. Not as potent as Nic-a-date and more time consuming. I soaked mine for nearly a week before results start showing up. May vary depending on the level of preservation of the coin and date area.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
781 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Vinegar is a form of an acidic solution and can vary in percent greatly. For household usage it could vary from 4 to 8% by volume. The stronger the percent of Acedic Acid, the faster and more pronounced the results. If you can find the 8% version, use that. Remember that most people find the color of the coin changes doing this and leaves a tell tale results of such a date restoration.
But if no date, nothing much to loose.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
i think I may also try reducing the amount of water in vinegar by boiling it lightly. I know acetic acid will boil off at 118* celsius but since water vaporizes at 100, I think it should be possible. especially with a thermal circulator that can control liquid temps to half a degree or greater.
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
Has anyone tried photographic acetic acid, or stopbath solution? I'm assuming that this method works only with coins of nickel composition, right? I'm tempted to try to find the date on a Shield nickel which is barely identifiable as such. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1501 Posts |
I have 8 soaking currently, just in plain white vinegar, it has been 2 weeks so far; 2 full dates, 3 partial dates, 3 nuttin' yet! The last three have more wear, one is liberty-less.
Edited by COINAHOLIC
03/02/2009 12:40 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
what about nitric acid for restoration? what percentage should be used for this method?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
The date is restorable because the date and non-date areas of the shoulder has slightly different densities from striking and the acid works on them at slightly different rates. But that density difference only goes a short distance into the coin. If the coin was worn down past that point before it was put in the acid, the date will not be restored. Quote:
Remember that most people find the color of the coin changes doing this and leaves a tell tale results of such a date restoration. If it is only doe on the date area, and especially if done with a stronger acid, the discoloration is usually very noticeable. But since the entire coin is treated with the vinegar method there is no abrupt change and the coin has a more normal appearance. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
636 Posts |
Ever try oven cleaner? Just kidding, I tried it on a steel cent before..complete disaster.
I also heard that with vinegar (or lemon juice, doesn;t matter), a tea spoon of slt as well.
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Valued Member
United States
164 Posts |
Depending on the concentration of the nitric acid, you may have a disaster. If it is concentrated, it will destroy the coin in just a very few minutes, if not seconds. Also, nitric acid is nothing to play around with. I have seen some very nasty incidents with nitric acid in the chem lab.
If anyone is going to try nitric acid (or for that matter any of the strong acids--hydrochloric, or sulfuric) do it in a well ventilated area and use very dilute solutions.
Edited by rohumpy
03/04/2009 06:20 am
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Valued Member
United States
311 Posts |
So does anyone have pictures of a coin that has been restored in this manner? I've seen the results of Nic-A-Date, but not vinegar...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Depending on the concentration of the nitric acid, you may have a disaster. If it is concentrated, it will destroy the coin in just a very few minutes, if not seconds. Also, nitric acid is nothing to play around with. I have seen some very nasty incidents with nitric acid in the chem lab.
If anyone is going to try nitric acid (or for that matter any of the strong acids--hydrochloric, or sulfuric) do it in a well ventilated area and use very dilute solutions.
Completely true. Be carefull with any acid. Remember that almost any acid in your face can be distructive to your eyes, regardless of the concentration. |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,725 |
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Posted 03/01/2009 1:03 pm
