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 Replies: 44 / Views: 9,153 |
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
Okay here is my situation. I purchased a 1928-P Peace dollar for my father and it came with another supposed 1928-P. The one is in au-50 condition but the one I need to clean (see pics below) has caked on burnt Tar on the back of it. Here is what the person that told me stated. He has had them for a while, they were in his parent's house and the house had a fire in the early 1960's. then had an addition put on thereafter. When building the addition he found the 2 1928-P Peace dollars in the rubble. He sold them to me because he "has no use to them any longer" and wants someone else to have happiness with him. All that aside I know everyone says "DO NOT CLEAN COINS"..I get it. However, I can not see the Philadelphia ( no mint mark) on the reverse eagle/tales side of the coin. I just want to know WHAT CAN I USE THAT WILL SLOWLY wear down the tar and not mess up the coin. Additionally, I think he may have tried to use something because the front side does have scratches (looks like initials) and it is pale in color. So HELP! Any advice appreciated.       |
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Valued Member
United States
218 Posts |
Wow... That coin has had a rough go. I get what you are trying to do. You are kind of stuck in a rough spot because as is the coin does not appear to be worth that much, however, "cleaning" has the risk of making things worse... I have seen less damaged coins "cleaned" only to appear worse off because the imperfections / damage "stood out" more.
With that said I would try the following in order:
1) soak the coin in water for some time and let air dry. Water is actually a very good solvent for most things.
If that does not work or if no improvement is made and you want to try something a little more aggressive
2) soak the coin in acetone for some time and let air dry. (This method can carry some risks).
What ever you do, rubbing, abrading, and/or otherwise mechanically "scraping" the surface should be avoided in 99.9% of situations. However, I think with this coin all you go is up; there really is not much more damage you could do. So though I would almost never suggest this; perhaps if options 1 and 2 make no improvement you could try some kind of "coin cleaning" solution... However, be advised the risks of further damage is there.
Good luck!
Edit: I was looking at the pictures more and I almost think that the metal on the back may have been melted in that fire; at minimum deformed. If that is the cases; I really doubt there is much that can be done.
Edited by jolson
01/26/2014 12:25 am
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Valued Member
Canada
470 Posts |
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New Member
 United States
19 Posts |
I know it's killing me!! Although she has had a "rough go" she is only one of the few 360,000+ left (and we all know that # is lower) So, I am really unfamiliar with cleaning and such. What type of solutions do you suggest. I watched a video on your tube about cleaning 90% silver with salt and vinegar and putting it in boiling water on aluminum foil. Then taking it out after letting it sit and rubbing it out with baking soda. Would this be a solution?
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
I gave the other coin to my father already. Otherwise I would have posted a pic of that for you all.
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
It would need to be professionally conserved I'm afraid.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
Canada
470 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
218 Posts |
If you really think that this could be a P mint coin I have attached some links to well-known coin restoration companies. Read their sites as they do have criteria's / "catches": http://www.pcgs.com/restoration/http://www.ncscoin.com/conservation/IMHO, I do not think they will take it... but you never know until you ask. I hope I am wrong. I have a fondness of Peace dollars and I agree that seeing one ending with such a fate is pretty frustrating. |
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
How do I go about doing a "professional conservation" I am new to coins.
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Valued Member
Canada
470 Posts |
is the surface sticky or tacky?
is there any odour present?
could you go to your fathers house and take a photo of the coin; - and is it slabbed / graded?
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
My father is older and is not on the internet and doesn't have a digital camera otherwise I would have him take pics. He lives 600 miles from me. It was slabbed.
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
the consistency of the tar is rough, not sticky no odor
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Pillar of the Community
United States
807 Posts |
Tarry substances in general are a good candidate for organic solvents, which generally have no effect on metals. Hexane, maybe, which is sometimes sold as an adhesive solvent. (I'd rather not use gasoline.) Not sure what "Goo-Gone" would do.
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Valued Member
Canada
470 Posts |
Quote:
It was slabbed. getting some mixed signals here... - so both coins were found/recovered after a fire and one coin is graded(by whom?)and the other(although well rounded) is in very bad shape. If you want to take a chance at DIY-ing then you will need to spend a relatively small amount of money to start an attempt at removing the unknown substance; but first,- are the coins attracted to a magnet?and what are the weights? |
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Valued Member
United States
218 Posts |
@publius: you do know that Hexane is a "significant constituent" of gasoline.... but yes; I agree an organic solvent should work. Let it air dry though. Also, this assumes the metal was not melted in the fire. I hope not, but with the "tar" removed, it may reveal a bigger "train wreck." Please keep us updated. Depending on what source you read the average house fire burns at about 900 degrees Celsius. The melting point of silver (which Peace dollars are 90%) is a mere 961.8... that is not a big margin.  Edited by jolson
01/26/2014 01:40 am
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
Thank you for the suggestion. I suppose I will look for something to remove the tar maybe I will try goo gone Secondly, it was a gentleman I know through a friend. Additionally, who the person is has no relevance here lol. Although both coins were in the fire the one that was in better shape he got graded OFFICIALLY and it was AU-50 via ngc do not know how long ago. The one remaining, not graded that you see in the pics is unofficial if it officially a 1928-P and yes I weighed it and it is spot on 26.8 g and unattacted by a magnet I hoe that answers your questions  |
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Replies: 44 / Views: 9,153 |
Posted 01/26/2014 12:25 am
