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 Replies: 44 / Views: 4,881 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
523 Posts |
Hello Folks, I recently purchased an 1889s Morgan dollar that I thought was in decent shape (~XF-45?). However there is a slight problem with the coin (I knew about it). The reason at least the obverse is in such good shape is that someone coated it with a material of some sort. I think it is acrylic or varnish of some sort. When I finally received the coin I was hoping to peel the stuff off. That is not going to happen as it is hard as a rock. I can chip it off but I will damage the coin doing that. It was a rare date so I wanted one and still I am glad to have it but I would like to remove its protective layer if I can without damaging the coin. Anyone have any ideas? Also even through the 'stuff' I think the obverse is ~EF45 and the reverse VF-35+. Take a shot and if you know how I can get it cleaned off, let me know. Thanks!    |
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
729 Posts |
I'd put that baby in the acetone corner and see what happens...
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
523 Posts |
Acetone corner? Can you elaborate? I was talking with the wife and we were throwing around the idea of an oven. Varnish should melt off around ~350 degrees while silver melts at much higher temps (I think). I do not want to harm the coin in any way as its a rare date and in great shape. If I can not get it off, I will just keep it as is. I don't think it hurts the value too much, at least I hope so.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
Yep, put it in acetone and that stuff will come right off. I don't think I would bake it.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I agree with epikur. 100% acetone may dissolve the coating. Just try soaking it for a while, see how the coating reacts. It may take many days and many changes of acetone but there's a good chance it will work. Put it in a nonreactive container, like a glass, and cover with some other nonreactive material, like another glass or a plate (to slow down the evaporation since acetone is very volatile).
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Valued Member
United States
362 Posts |
Worse case scenario if the acetone doesn't work, try Methylene chloride. Warning it's bad stuff so be careful.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Worse case scenario if the acetone doesn't work, try Methylene chloride. Warning it's bad stuff so be careful. Idle note: That stuff has killed 13 people since 2000 who were using it for commercial (paint stripping) purposes.... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
523 Posts |
Well the only acetone I have is the daughters finger nail polish.
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
729 Posts |
Quote:
I'd put that baby in the acetone corner and see what happens... Quote:
Acetone corner? Can you elaborate? Sorry, got carried away with a Dirty Dancing reference right after I wrote the word "baby"... that whole thing in the movie about not putting baby in a corner. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36744 Posts |
You can get it at any hardware store in the paint section.
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
729 Posts |
Quote:
Well the only acetone I have is the daughters finger nail polish. You would need pure acetone. Nail polish remover contains other chemicals such as perfumes and stuff that could be potentially harmful to the coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
523 Posts |
I think I will wait, the finger nail polish is out. There is a really nice coin underneath that stuff....it yearns to be free. Anyone want to comment on the grade/s?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36744 Posts |
You'll have to get the junk off before it can be graded. Can't tell what is hiding under the goop.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
523 Posts |
So with the stuff on it, it can not be graded (at least a good guess)? I paid $65 for it. Good/Bad?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
523 Posts |
I have been doing some reading and here is what I have come up with.
Get 100% Acetone and soak the coin in a glass jar with a glass lid for a while. That should get the stuff off of it (maybe). If not move onto some other chemical that does not sound so good to use.
In looking at this further, the material could be a Lexan type thing. I remember when I was a kid (early 70's) my dad had a friend do a paperweight in which a quarter and half for each of us kids birth year were put into a hard clear plastic type of material. I do not know if it was poured or not but to this day it is clear and the coins/pictures are good as the day they went in. It seems very similar material to what is on this dollar except the color. This stuff has a yellow brownish color but very light in nature.
It seems that I could chip it off but that would not be the brightest of moves. Would the intent with the acetone be to dissolve the material or to loosen it from the surface?
As can be seen from the pictures, it is something like glass chips.
Thank all of you for your suggestions and such. I think I will have some fun figuring this one out.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
523 Posts |
I just noticed that I think I have this is the wrong forum.
MODERATORS could you please move it to a proper location? Thank You.
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Replies: 44 / Views: 4,881 |
Posted 02/25/2013 6:32 pm
