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Did I Destroy This Coin's Value?

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BadThad's Avatar
United States
19963 Posts
 Posted 01/29/2014  3:56 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add BadThad to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Welcome to CC!

1) NEVER use nail polish remover on a coin. It can and usually does contain more than just acetone (usually ethyl acetate) and those can damage metals.
2) Buy yourself some pure acetone, hardware stores usually carry it.

You didn't "ruin" the coin. If you can't even tell what it is, it must be cleaned, otherwise it's a useless chunk of metal. However, you could have done a better job at removing the foreign substance. Conservation techniques are best learned by experience, consider this your first lesson.

In general, you want to soak using what I have coined the "polarity ladder". For example, soak in order of decreasing solvent polarity (about 30 minutes each to start):

1) distilled water
2) acetone
3) xylene
Lincoln Cent Lover!
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Pillar of the Community
nalaberong's Avatar
Canada
2805 Posts
 Posted 01/29/2014  3:59 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add nalaberong to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
In these cases... "Did I destroy this coin's value?"... What value?

This used to be an ugly glob and now it's a discoloured penny, that's not a bad trade-off. When it comes to an exceptionally disgusting coin, I admit to going all-out on it with under-the-sink-type stuff. But for smaller defects, discolourations, and deposits... be more cautious and ask us for advice
Bedrock of the Community
BadThad's Avatar
United States
19963 Posts
 Posted 01/30/2014  11:23 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add BadThad to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
I admit to going all-out on it with under-the-sink-type stuff.


I do a good bit of penny brick searching - this is simply a required method with many coins. It works surprisingly well. I use as hot of running water as I can stand and remove gunk with my fingers and sometimes a bit of liquid detergent soap. With these kinds of coins there are two choices - junk pile or a quick sink cleaning. Obviously, I prefer to see what I have before I toss it in the return to bank pile.
Lincoln Cent Lover!
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Conder101's Avatar
United States
17884 Posts
 Posted 01/30/2014  12:34 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Conder101 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
The box also included, among other stuff, a couple of Case pocket knives, some old jewelery, a couple pieces of sterling silver, and a 1950's era Zippo lighter in new condition. I paid 5 bucks for the box, so the coin was just gravy anyhow. With my new intense interest in coin collecting, it was the most special.

I'd say the Zippo was the gravy. Those are highly collectible as well and that lighter is probably worth well more than the Indian Head cent.
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