Coin Community Family of Web Sites Join Thousands of Coin, Bullion, & Money Collectors
Royal Canadian Mint products, Canadian, Polish, American, and world coins and banknotes. 300,000 items to help build your collection! Coin, Banknote and Medal Collectors's Online Mall Specializing in Modern Numismatics Vancouvers #1 Coin and Paper Money Dealer Join Thousands of Coin, Bullion, & Money Collectors Shop for APMEX Bullion on eBay!








Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?


This page may contain links that result in small commissions to keep this free site up and running.

Welcome Guest! Registering and/or logging in will remove the anchor (bottom) ads. It's Free!

Bronze Disease/Verdegris Treatment Help

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.
Author Previous TopicReplies: 5 / Views: 1,861Next Topic  
Pillar of the Community
wheatchaser140's Avatar
United States
2368 Posts
 Posted 11/28/2013  08:24 am Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add wheatchaser140 to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
Some of the copper coins in my collection have bronze disease/verdegris. Most of this is mild, so I want to hear the best way to remove this without harming the coins' patina. I have heard about several things:

Distilled water
Acetone
Xylene
Verdichem

I have a basic understanding of all of these chemicals, but which ones are best to conserve my coins? And are there any other chemicals I should know about?
Edited by wheatchaser140
11/28/2013 08:36 am
Pillar of the Community
Ben's Avatar
United Kingdom
4208 Posts
 Posted 11/28/2013  08:33 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Ben to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Verdigris is not synonmyous with BD. BD is caused by propagating chloride ions eating into the copper whereas verdigris is oxides forming on the surface.

For BD, whichi s light green and powdery and can be removed easily with a nail, you need to remove the ions. The easiest and safest way is to soak it in distille dwater - the ions will go from the coin to the water. You'll reach an equilibrium pretty quickly so you have to change the water daily. Remove any green powder that develops without remorse - blitzkrieg is the only method that will save severely riddled coins. It could take a while until you get to a good stage, no less than 2 weeks.

For Verdigris, definitely wash in acetone, but also try using BadThad's Verdicare. The stuff might work for BD too, who knows.
Pillar of the Community
wheatchaser140's Avatar
United States
2368 Posts
 Posted 11/28/2013  09:34 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add wheatchaser140 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Is there a way to conserve coins with this non-chemically?
Edited by wheatchaser140
11/28/2013 10:27 am
Moderator
Learn More...
SsuperDdave's Avatar
United States
23522 Posts
 Posted 11/28/2013  10:00 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SsuperDdave to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
Is there a way to conserve coons with this non-chemically?


Refer back to Ben Byfield's answer regarding BD. Verdigris should really have that chemical intervention of Verdicare. Acetone likely won't do much for it.
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts
 Posted 11/28/2013  11:00 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
From what you say it sounds like your not sure what it is on your coins. To be safe just try the Acetone and distilled water systems. Many posts on the subject in the past right here. Other than those, the main thing is to find what is creating the problem. Where are your coins stored? Is there something in the air that may also be dangerous to you as well as the coins. Many people have found that where they live Copper tubing turns green. They then find there is Sulfur in the air from coal burning places like power stations or steel mills. Make sure your coins are protected with things like 2x2's or other air stopping items.
Bedrock of the Community
sel_69l's Avatar
Australia
21786 Posts
 Posted 11/28/2013  8:55 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add sel_69l to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Verdigris and bronze disease can be a major problem for ancient coins, retrieved from ground burial.
Ancient coins are often found in hoards and attract the attention of museums. One of the benefits for the coin is that they can then be cleaned by professionals, who also take action to preserve them as part of the cleaning process.

In order to to kill off the threat of bronze disease, take some time to find out how it is done. Have a good search on this subject on the internet.
  Previous TopicReplies: 5 / Views: 1,861Next Topic  

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



    




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 © 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Forums
It took 0.27 seconds to rattle this change. Forums