| Author |
 Replies: 17 / Views: 2,318 |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1152 Posts |
I have a bit of a predicament- I was recently given a lead pattern coin, which at one time was chrome plated. I guess to preserve the grade as lead is so soft. I am looking to remove this chrome but would like to know how. Keep in mind it will be hard for me to use stuff like hydrochloric acid through reverse electrolysis because I do not own a lab or anything fancy like that.
Andrew
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1152 Posts |
At school we have a lab- with chemicals and such, so if there are any methods which are not extremely expensive I could probably do it there during spare or something.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1152 Posts |
|
|
Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
It might take some time for someone here to give a good scientific response to your problem. Personally I don't see how only one type of metal can be dissolved especially off of lead. But goodluck. I'm looking forward to seeing if there is a solution as well.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I would suggest you leave it alone. The Crome is probably adhered to the Lead fairly strongly and an attempt to remove it will obvously take some of the Lead with it. Any electrolytic process is usually not specific in complete balance of surface area and while the removal is possible, in some areas there will be a lot of Lead damaged and/or removed also. The addition of material through such processes being heavier in some areas is seldom noticed due to once in place it all appears to be the same. If attempted by someone that is not an expert in the electrolytic system, you may loose that coin comopletely.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1152 Posts |
Ill wait and hear some more responses... With the chrome, the coin is virtually worthless- without it, very, very rare and valuble. If nobody has a no-fail plan I'll leave the coin alone.
Andrew
|
|
Moderator
United States
6563 Posts |
Sorry to say but even if it were possible there would be signs that it was cast in something or the appeasrance of cleaned. What is the coin in question? and do you have a pic?
|
|
Forum Dad
 United States
24148 Posts |
Sounds like a great project for chemistry class. Ask the chemistry teacher.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1152 Posts |
Ill upload a pic tomorrow. It is a pattern 1852 Canadian token- even with evidence of a chrome removal, still very rare. I was going to ask my chem teacher ever since the coin arrived. If he has a good idea, mabye he can do it for the class. If not, well see what happens. Thanks bobby!
Andrew
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
Somewhere in your area is a plating company that does chrome plating. Call the local Harley dealer, he will know who they are as they have customers who are constantly having parts plated. If anyone knows how or can reverse the process, it would be them.
Jim
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Belgium
2078 Posts |
Helas Chrome is known to difuse in less noble metals Look at the chromed carbumpers of old cars with steel bumpers and two layers in between ending in chroming The chrome did not wear off it just descended in the material So I fear reverse electrolysis is out of the question My dentist could remove the chrome but then you would have to replate the coin in lead  |
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
3831 Posts |
The reason why chrome is usually used in various metals in particular stainless steel is simply because it's highly corrosive resistant. Note that chrome is a much harder metal and any attempts to "dissolve" chrome will kiss your lead goodbye first beforehand if I am not mistaken.
Like it or not, if it's a rare pattern, whether if it's damaged or not and as long as there are collectors, then it is still worth something. If you try to reduce it to a puddle of metal scrap, well that would be the worst sceanrio wouldn't it.
Best sceanrio: leave it alone.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1152 Posts |
I presume it is rare as I have found references to it but not in catalogues.I think it was more of a lead trial strike than a pattern- my first post was misleading.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
954 Posts |
The only thing I can think of is NCS. Slip on over to NGC and join the forum there. Then ask NCS if there is anything that can be done. If anyone knows about it, they should.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1152 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
For one thing you have asked a Chem teacher already, me. That is if teaching at a Junior College is sufficient. Also, an Electrical Engineer. As I stated, it is just to risky to attempt to remove Chome from Lead. It is bonded and the removal will absolutly take much of the Lead with it. As to Chome plating companies for auto parts, that is sort of like asking an auto mechanic to perform brain surgery. And one of our Chem Classes would surely masacre that coin. Surely anyone mentioning that has never been in one especially when the professor is not around.
Again, I suggest you leave well enough alone. You may get many suggestions from people on what to try but that is because it is not their coin and have nothing to loose.
|
| |
Replies: 17 / Views: 2,318 |
Posted 05/26/2007 8:19 pm
