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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,710 |
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Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
I was holding a small stack of unc (silver) Washington quarters by the rims and mishandled them and they tumbled down to the palm of my hand. Most of them had a portion of the face touch my skin. I'm wondering if they should be dipped in alcohol to break up and rinse away my skin oils before it causes spotting on the coins? I know acetone is a preferred solvent for some but it seems like overkill in light of the fact that it just happened about 10 minutes ago and they coins did not get a long exposure to my skin. Edited by samboyellowsub
02/16/2015 1:08 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1476 Posts |
I would go with the acetone myself.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
Acetone sounds like the way to go to me too, but if alcohol is your only option, use the Jack Daniels Sinatra special blend  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
Go with acetone whether it has been 10 minutes or 10 weeks.
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Assuming that you meant isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol... well, I recall a discussion about that on another thread and since it isn't pure the water and whatever else is in it, will harm the coins. So stick with the pure acetone.
If you've already rinsed them in alcohol, then be sure to dry them with a hair dryer to make sure that anything left behind is at least dried up and not searching for a pin hole.
Never had the Sinatra blend. Must go shopping soon.
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Valued Member
 United States
113 Posts |
I've never been a fan of anything Jack. More of a scotch drinker. Thanks for the input, folks.
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
As to the hair dryer thing:what setting,hot cold? There is a rubbing alcohol that is 99% but I would use "pure" acetone myself. John1  Edited by John1
02/16/2015 1:41 pm
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Moderator
United States
188739 Posts |
Stick with acetone.  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
Drugstore isopropyl alcohol is only 70% and tend to leave a film behind.
You'd need the 95% stuff for coins AND that stuff melts plastic.
Go with pure acetone.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19957 Posts |
Acetone overkill? Not at all, it's a weak solvent really and will do the job.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
NO organic solvent will work to remove fingerprints that have been left there for a long time. The acidic oils in skin will slowly react with the surface of the coin to form complex INoragaic compounds.
If acetone is not immediately available, use methylated sprits (+98% ethyl alcohol) to immediately remove the skin oils.
Methylated sprits has a tiny amount of water and poisonous puradine to stop people from drinking the stuff.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5394 Posts |
My vote for acetone as well but if you have no access to acetone resort to a fine liquor cabinet containing 17 year old or better scotch. Do not swallow the coins or you will have other difficulties.  ! |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
If you have 90% alcohol on hand and no acetone, don't waste a store trip. If you're going, get acetone. Just do whatever it is within the next day.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Acetone is best, but if it is not available the alcohol will do. The key is to do it quickly. The longer the skin oils and acids are left on the coin the more chance they have of doing damage. For the alcohol the higher the alcohol content the better (Most rubbing alcohol comes in around 70% and 91%. Higher than 91% is unlikely to be found because of the alcohols affinity for water. Trying to get the last of the water out is very difficult. Acetone has a similar problem and most "pure" or 100% acetone is usually more like 95% with balance being water.) You are also not to likely to encounter a problem with the water in the alcohol as it is typically distilled water or the equivalent.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,710 |
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Posted 02/16/2015 1:14 pm
