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 Replies: 7 / Views: 3,019 |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
Does anyone know if you can use a blacklights to pick up biological residue on coins? I know it is used for cat urine or such, but wondered if it would pick up saliva, sweat, mucus, tears... I am wondering if I could see impurities on a coins surface before the dreaded milk spots or even black spots show up on a coins surface. If the impurity could be cleaned off before the milk forms with a NGC conservation or other method.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
That's an interesting thought, but we'll have to wait until someone who knows more than I (not difficult to find) arrives to discuss it cogently. I don't believe milk spots are the result of any biological contamination, though - more a function of poor planchet washing, and kind of inevitable.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
 Instead of spending money on a black light, just purchase some Acetone. That stuff will get rid of almost everything on a coin not wanted. And how to use it properly could be found on this web site. Simply use the Search tab for Acetone. As to your question. Yes a black light will iliminate some particles but also, not many others. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2120 Posts |
I keep a black light bulb with my photo lights. I;ve read that Black light can make some tooling, and reconstruction very obvious. I haven't confirmed this for myself (haven't had a coin I was suspicious of). But for $3, why not have it.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I keep a black light bulb with my photo lights. I;ve read that Black light can make some tooling, and reconstruction very obvious. I haven't confirmed this for myself (haven't had a coin I was suspicious of). But for $3, why not have it.
They are fun at parties but nothing really special for coins. For $3, I'd rather have a Mercury dime. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
863 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Common misconception, not all biological substances glow under blacklight. Only a few do. And they don't glow at all UV wavelengths. You have to have a source that emits the wavelength range for the substance you are looking for. Also some copper compounds will glow under UV and since most coins have copper in them.....
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Natatak: to the CCF! Black lights are useful for stamp and banknote collectors, for detecting florescent inks. Natatak: The types of skunge you have indicated can be injurious to coins and should be removed, because there is the possibility that they could react with the metal surfaces leaving a blotchy appearance which could be impossible to remove. Some of these types of nasties may well be detected by florescence revealed under a black light. Not much point if you just clean with acetone. Edited by sel_69l
06/11/2012 06:34 am
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Replies: 7 / Views: 3,019 |
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Posted 06/09/2012 10:20 am
