Is It Rust? - Coin Community Forum

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,283
Babar Valued Member Pakistan 207 Posts	Posted 06/25/2012 1:28 pm Hey all! I noticed a common kind of...well...whatever it is in a number of my copper-nickel coins. Is it rust? I dabbed the coin lightly with acetone, then submerged it in acetone for a couple minutes, then poured some (fresh) acetone over it, but there was no change. Here is a picture example: And here is what a (slightly more) normal version of the coin should look like: Does this happen to all copper-nickel (or nickel) coins that are not kept carefully? It doesn't appear to hide any of the details, and in some cases makes them easier to see. Would it reduce the any theoretical grade the coin might have gotten otherwise? There some way to remove it? Do I need to? Should I bother? Report this Post to the Staff

Mechman Valued Member United States 275 Posts	Posted 06/25/2012 5:06 pm Not rust. Some kind of environmental damage. Could it have been in the ground? Report this Post to the Staff
Babar Valued Member Pakistan 207 Posts	Posted 06/26/2012 03:42 am It could be, I suppose. I've had it for about 15 years now,and I got it from circulation, but who knows where it was before that? It'd be a bit weird though, because I have other copper-nickel coins with similar kinds of "damage" (with varying intensity, of course). Report this Post to the Staff
trout1105 Pillar of the Community Australia 7096 Posts	Posted 06/26/2012 03:50 am We call these tarnished coins pub coins here in Aus Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 06/26/2012 10:07 am That could be almost anything on those coins. Without knowing the actual composition of them, it is difficult to attempt to figure out what it could be. You say it's Copper-Nickel but is there any Iron in it? What percent of each is there supposed to be. Acetone doen't really remove everything as some assume. And from your photos, not a lot of anything that may be removed with damaging the coin. Might just be something in the air in your area that combines with either the Copper or the Nickel. If so, removing it may remove some of the metal of the coin too. And note that RUST is normally just a term used for Oxydation. Edited by just carl 06/26/2012 10:08 am Report this Post to the Staff
Babar Valued Member Pakistan 207 Posts	Posted 06/26/2012 12:38 pm According to this website: http://www.chiefacoins.com/Database...a-ul-Haq.htm It is 25% Nickel and 75% Copper, with no iron. I guess I'll just leave it as is, then. Thankfully I've got another rupee coin of that same year. Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 06/26/2012 3:40 pm At 75% Copper that well could explain some of that STUFF on the coin. Copper does have a habit of combining with numerous different elements and some do create that effect. For example when Copper is exposed to moist air it first formes a layer of Cuprous Oxide. From this, if enough CO2 is present, it begins to form Copper Carbonate which is somewhat what your coin appears to have. Regardless, from the amount present, removing any may well remmove to much of the coin's metal. Best leave it alone and attempt to just stop further problems. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,283

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: General Numismatic Forums Forum: Main Coin Forum

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.3 seconds to rattle this change.