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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,666 |
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
I was asked if it was possible to 'unglue' saltwater on these pennies.I was told it was a large amount of pennies - what would be the best way to get the by themself?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9156 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
Im confused are they stuck together with glue?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
I second the Acetone if you tried soaking them in ht water. I assume by "saltwater" you mean a sugar based candy?. Try to remove as much as possible in hot water without hurting the coins. If some remains let it soak in Acetone, until the residue melts.
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Valued Member
 United States
70 Posts |
I was told that it was from Hurricane Sandy - so I believe the pennies were trapped under salt water.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2781 Posts |
copper and salt water dont really like each other.
if they have turned green and are corroded together in a big lump... through them back in the ocean.
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
How about starting out soaking them in distilled water first and then try acetone. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
I say leave as is - the value of the pennies is pretty abysmal, but as a relic of sandy I guess they'd have an added intrigue.
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Valued Member
United States
292 Posts |
Quote:
I say leave as is - the value of the pennies is pretty abysmal, but as a relic of sandy I guess they'd have an added intrigue. Good advice. How many cents are there anyway? After all that work, if you do manage to get them apart, will they even be spendable? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Sounds like what people take to the metal recyclers for Copper.
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
Quote:
Good advice. How many cents are there anyway? After all that work, if you do manage to get them apart, will they even be spendable? It's not my pennies, its a friend who lives far away. But it sounds like that there is a lot as they have been saving for years and years. So I would assume that there is a lot, and probably some copper too. Should I tell them Acetone? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
If they are bonded by corrosion acetone will not have much effect at all. You would probably do better with just plain water and trying to chip them apart. Vinegar might help to break down some of the corrosion. If it does you might try a stronger acid (toilet bowl cleaner or muratic acid. If you use muratic acid you will want to dilute it and if you do remember always add acid to water never water to acid.) The problem is it might attack the zinc even more than the corrosion byproducts. And even if the cents are separated they will probably be pretty damaged.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
I pretty much agree with Conder, if it's salt holding them together acetone would be a waste. Inorganic salts are INSOLUBLE in acetone.
The first step to a conservation project should ALWAYS be water. For a mass quantity, plain old tap water is just fine. If the salt is thick, you'll probably have to change it out a few times.
If water fails, you can get more aggressive, try just adding a dash of muratic (hydrochloric) acid to the water and let 'em soak.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,666 |
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Posted 04/28/2013 08:20 am
