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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,260 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
756 Posts |
I can't even type this out. Was over having a BBQ and bonfire w/ a long time friend. His soon to be mother in law is over until Sunday. I come into the house to see A LOT, I mean A LOT of shiny coins. OLD OLD coins. Morgans, Barbers, etc.... SHINY! She had picked them up from her safety deposit box down in S. Florida due to having moved to Georgia. Well, while I was outside, she had soaked 98% of the coins into ammonia. Why you ask? Because "they were blue"....naturally toned coins now shiny silver.  I didn't even have the heart to tell her she ruined every coin she had collected. I couldn't even look at them (this is coming from somebody who doesn't like toned coins) However, I now know why those passionate about not cleaning coins get so angry. I am apparently one of them. If there is ANY positive to add to this; there are a lot more coins to be picked up and I asked that she do noting to them but give them to me.  Not going to happen.  ***Edited by Forum Dad to move to main coin forum*** |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
Without getting into a long drawn-out vitriolic and vindictive diatribe about mothers-in-law (I've had two; whether they're future, past, present, or someone else's is irrelevant), I am not at all certain I would have been able to stand aside and say nothing about the coins. Tactful and diplomatic, I would have gone the extra step as you did to explain that cleaning coins is verboten and that people have been shot for less following an extended period of torture. I can only hope there was nothing really valuable in the hoard. BTW, excessive and obsessive cleaning of ANYTHING (clothes, carpets, candlesticks, kitchens, and especially coins) is an early indication of Alzheimer's.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1247 Posts |
It must've been like witnessing a book burning.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Czech Republic
803 Posts |
Erm ... ammonia turns silver black... I'm 100% sure of this. Perhaps another cleaner was used?
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1360 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Czech Republic
803 Posts |
Guys, again I must disagree...
The best way to resolve this is to soak a silver coin in ammonia. I have done this before, when I studied the tell-tale signs of different artificial toning techniques. It turns the coin a very specifically-looking black.
~Roman
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
756 Posts |
Nope, it was ammonia. 100% undiluted ammonia. As they used it to kill the ticks they pull off the dogs shortly there after.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1247 Posts |
Isn't it bleach that turns silver black?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
What a shame, but many here remember when we cleaned out coins as kids. I used lemon juice and salt. I still have a penny book with bright ORANGE VG-8/F-12 wheatback pennies, LOL...
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Valued Member
United States
394 Posts |
Nope, it was ammonia. 100% undiluted ammonia. As they used it to kill the ticks they pull off the dogs shortly there after.
Maybe biokemist can jump in here, but I think that 100% anhydrous ammonia is just as toxic and deadly as chlorine!!! I would imagine the strength of the different ammonia products used by the various forum members could have a bearing on the statements made and everyone could be correct.
Berry
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
Chuckle, "Ticks on a dog, why waste the amonia. We'd just pull them off and then pop em' with a hammer or something." LOL Ben |
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Pillar of the Community
Czech Republic
803 Posts |
Ahhhhh!
I'm sorry, I was wrong. I use ammonia working with copper, bleach is what turns silver black.
I hate being the source of mis-information :( Forgive me, please.
~Roman
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1091 Posts |
Of Course, you must remember... they are Her coins... and if she likes them "shiny" then "shiny" they should be.  Just a shame about the resale value.   |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,260 |
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Posted 02/22/2007 6:39 pm
