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 Replies: 24 / Views: 4,120 |
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New Member
Australia
17 Posts |
Howdy folks, first post here so be gentle please! ;) I have 50+ various p's and hp's ranging from 1908 to 1962. No idea if there is anything valuable in there and not too concerned about that anyway. These coins have historical significance due to where they were found and the story behind how they got there. The coins have all been underground for the past god knows how many years so as you can imagine, some of them are in pretty poor shape. This one is extreme, and the worst of the lot but a few of them have varying degrees of the raised dots on them. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...916penny.jpgAny suggestions for saving these coins? I've been looking around on the web but the information is so conflicting! Thanks :) The park rat. Edited by parkrat
10/14/2007 11:57 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day, when a coin's that bad, it might usefully be put to one side as a potential "guinea pig" for cleaning methods.
That said, the near universal advice about cleaning coins is "Don't !".
If you decide to press on, start modestly:
water;
water/soap;
water/detergent;
then you might try metho, and get bolder after that.
Avoid abrasives.
Note: some would declare me fit to be Drawn, Hanged, Beheaded, & Quartered [please note correct sequence], for replying to your query.
Welcome anyway,
Peter in Darwin
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New Member
 Australia
17 Posts |
Hi Peter and thanks for your reply.
If I don't clean them, what will happen? Will the damage get worse or will it stay the same?
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Valued Member
Australia
112 Posts |
Dont know how you would save them but its funny you had a 1916 penny as your example because I just came across a worse one! It's hilariously out of shape, looks like a train ran over it:  |
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New Member
Australia
17 Posts |
Nice :)
I found in the same location a 1943 that looks like its been hit by a lawnmower, almost folded in half.
I just wanted to add that I don't want to "clean" the coins as such, i.e. make them all pretty and shiny. But from what I have read on the net, it seems that if I leave the verdigris on them, they will just keep deteriorating?
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day, I think you're correct about the verdigris. Once the reaction has begun, it tends to continue.
Somewhere, I read of a collector dipping a green penny in olive oil as "first aid" to prevent further deterioration. The unexpected result was that some of the verdigris separated from the coin.
AND, a bamboo tootpick is a less risky implement than anything made of metal.
With a coin as bad as the one you've shown, you don't have much to lose.
Peter
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New Member
Australia
17 Posts |
Hi Peter,
I think I'll try the olive oil and see how that goes. Luckily my parents don't live too far away and they make their own olive oil so I can go and pinch some of theirs! :)
Some of the lumps on the coins look like they are copper but I am assuming that if they broke off, they would reveal verdigris underneath?
Thanks for the reply.
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Valued Member
Australia
161 Posts |
Whatever you do dont use detergent. Most detergents will do alot of harm to the coins and you wont realise until its too late. Why do you think they recommend you wash the dishes with gloves on. Use a natural unscented and uncoloured mild soap/luke warm water mix.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
914 Posts |
What's that coin made of?
If it's copper, I recommend soak that in Xylene for a few minutes. Use a stiff yet soft brush and make small circles to get it in all of the grooves. Then a quick soak in acetone to remove the Xylene.
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Valued Member
United States
160 Posts |
I have had one soaking in acetone for three days, didn't seem to hurt the coin, but didn't loosen the gunk from the coin either. It has what appears to be pvc damage, I'll next try the olive oil. It's low acidity seems to work pretty well with out damage to US cents, thought I'd give it a try on one of my Australian pennies I am trying to save.
Later,
Edited by daveyn
10/15/2007 6:29 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
914 Posts |
Also, I've had success with soaking the coin in distilled water, then freezing it, thawing it, repeat.
The water molecules expand when frozen and can sometime break off large chunks of gunk.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day Vaslin, never heard of that one.
An interesting application of the laws of physics.
Full marls for lateral thinking.
I once saw a reference to this book: I don't have a copy, but perhaps a forum member is familiar with it -
"Coin Chemistry
Including Preservation and Cleaning
by Weimar W White
The detailed text is highly educational and informational, and combined with the detailed photos make a great reference.
6 " x 9", 72 pages, 2004, hardcover."
I've ordered an "ultrasonic" cleamer. I expect to receive it this week. I'll let you know how I get on. I'm only hoping to clean off decades of crud: not many of my coins have altered metallurgy, such as verdigris.
Peter in Oz
Peter in Oz
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New Member
Australia
9 Posts |
This subject has recently been discussed on the Oz ebay Coin & Stamp forum. Rather than repeat professional advise please visit thread and leave comment. Here is the link: http://forums.ebay.com.au/thread.js...192282451711My ID currently there is brunswickwa I've been treating the coin cancer [i.e. verdigris] with an easily forgotten 2 week soak. Works well on decent grade items. The old crusty one in OP... is sadly best stitched into the bottom corner of a curtain to help em hang better now. You will get a better one for less than $5. Verdigris will chip off an affected coin and spread to others if is not carefully isolated. It corrodes badly. From my experience and research in environmental activism, I wouldn't even think of handling any VOC [volatile organic compound] or any associated compounds. This stuff is regarded as a possible carcinogen. Xylene is simply an unacceptable health hazard. Please consider your health first. Best be gentle and give the old fellows time to soak. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1106 Posts |
Am I the only one curious about the story of where they came from and how they got buried there.?
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Valued Member
Australia
432 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
Australia
661 Posts |
SueS.
G'day and welcome.
Is that signature line of yours original or does it belong to someone else?
rtegards,
Edited by muckeye
12/20/2007 07:12 am
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Replies: 24 / Views: 4,120 |
Posted 10/14/2007 11:54 pm
