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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,360 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
Recently I've been beefing up my Canadian large cents collection little by little. What I noticed from my old collection is that even in 2x2 flips the coin is leaving a stain of itself onto the holder's window. I'm beginning to think they are not inert. Even silver coins (especially with higher copper contents) in low grades are doing that. Most of my copper I put into tubes. (I love coin tubes) But, again, with low grades like G or VG if there is even the tiniest hint of verdigris it spreads across the other coins. It's as it the oils from the coin's past are trying to escape the flip?
So here's my dilemma, I want to start getting into EF-AU examples of this series, but I don't want any of my coins to lose lustre just from being held in a flip. That would take away a huge chunk of their collectible value and overall prestige.
Tubes are great for storing, but with AU and higher I want to be able to SEE my coins, and each time I would have to handle them by hand, increasing the chance that I damage them.
What's the best way to store lustrous copper coins? I'm moving up in grades but I don't want any setbacks years down the road because I stored them improperly. I'm even starting to think that slabs are the way to go with copper. Even being a shade off from red, or brown, can devalue the coin. Thanks in advance!
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Moderator
 United States
188888 Posts |
These are circulated coins? I wonder if the "stain" is just transfer of dirt/grime to the 2x2.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
That is my thought. It's most likely the oils from circulation. I think we'd have heard something if standard coin flips were etching away copper from coins.
The next step up would be the plastic round holders, but they are $1-2 each, so depending on the size and value of your collection, it may not be worth it.
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Pillar of the Community
1325 Posts |
If it is dirt/grime, how do you remove it properly with olive oil? I bought some but no idea the techniques to use cause I just end up with oil anywhere the coin touches. (small canadians and lincolns, no large cents yet for me.)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
589 Posts |
Edited by SilverTracker
07/09/2014 12:41 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Copper always seems to attract a layer of oils on its surface and that is probably what is being transfered to the inside of the 2X2's. Trying to clean it off with olive oil would just leave a film of olive oil on the surface of the coin to transfer to the 2X2.
If you really want to strip the oils off use acetone or xylene, but be warned completely clean copper often has a very "dry" look to it. Especially with circulated coins. Try experimenting with some common copper coins first.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
Tube are a worthwhile investment IMO. Also, one thing collectors forget, you need MORE LAYERS of protection. Tubes, slabs and such should be stored in ziplock bags with desiccant and a sacrificial copper coin. Those bags should then be stored in Tupperware-type containers.
MO LAYERS = MO BETTA!
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
Quote:
And also found this on the web for you. NEVER to this to a coin! NEVER!  |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
3692 Posts |
I don't want to clean my coins. What about a piece of round paper in between every coin in the tube - like an accordion?
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Valued Member
United States
337 Posts |
Have you considered having them slabbed? Canadian large cent coins are generally inexpensive in low grades but the AU coins might be worth slabbing.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4692 Posts |
The first thing I would do would be to soak them in acetone. This should not only remove surface dirt/grime but arguably neutralize any chemical reactions that may be occurring. Be sure to rinse with distilled water because dissolved impurities will redeposit on the coin. I would stay away from plastic flips -- even though they may state they are PVC-free, you have no way of verifying this. If you have quantities, then tubes should suffice, but I would NOT put anything between the coins. Good Luck.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
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What about a piece of round paper in between every coin in the tube - like an accordion? Paper will slowly release various chemicals as it ages, keep it AWAY from you coins at all times (unless you want them to tone). Paper is also hydroscopic, it will readily absorb moisture which leads to corrosion. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
What about wax paper? Just wondering.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
Quote:
The first thing I would do would be to soak them in acetone. This should not only remove surface dirt/grime but arguably neutralize any chemical reactions that may be occurring. Be sure to rinse with distilled water because dissolved impurities will redeposit on the coin. Disagree, always follow an acetone soak with an acetone rinse (using fresh, clean acetone). Acetone dehydrates the coin reducing chances of corrosion. Rinsing with water will REHYDRATE the surfaces increasing the odds of corrosion. |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,360 |
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Posted 07/09/2014 11:37 am
