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 Replies: 19 / Views: 3,921 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
849 Posts |
First I hear "never dip or clean a coin". Then I read that it is not a bad idea to give most old coins an acetone bath. I searched acetone on the forum and saw lots of examples and such and I think I know now HOW to use it, but I am just looking for an explanation of WHEN and WHEN NOT, the pros and the cons.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
In a small nutshell... Acetone removes organic buildups like gunk or tape residue or pvc film etc. It is quite safe to use on coins however if the gunk or whatever has been on there for a while, the metal underneath can age at a different rate meaning that if acetone removes it the metal underneath can still be a different color and show signs of a cleaning. Feel free to post pics of a coin you're thinking of soaking beforehand to get a consensus of if it should be done or not  Edited by Cascade
09/24/2015 10:23 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
Here is a link to an example when I think it is good to use acetone. When I get BU silver coins I prefer to give them an acetone rinse before I put them in a 2x2 or air-titie to remove any possible oils from when it was being handled. As far as when not to use acetone, well that's a judgment call. I choose not to use it when I think the end result will give the coin a "cleaned" look. To learn about the effects of acetone on a coin I would recommend experimenting with junk coins first. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Typically, the phrase "never dip or clean a coin" applies to the use of a commercial coin cleaner containing thiourea and sulfuric acid(Jeweluster, E-Z-Est, etc). Acetone itself is inert for coinage metals so there is no concern over pure acetone damaging a coin in any way. The problem is as Cascade mentioned, removing surface crud can unveil an unpleasant surprise hiding under said crud. It may be a minor difference in toning or the crud may have been purposely applied to conceal a harsh cleaning or other type of damage.
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Moderator
 Canada
10463 Posts |
"Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert OppenheimerContent of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_USMy eBay store
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
849 Posts |
Thanks for the responses and links. Here is a coin I'd like to open and put in my album. Do I treat it with anything when I break it free?  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If you look you should see a thing called Search somewhere near the top of page. Try it and type in words like Acetone, coin cleaning, cleaning coins, etc.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19969 Posts |
I agree with Biokemist. Dipping generally refers to use of an acid-thiourea type solution (NEVER use such dips on copper!). Otherwise, we usually call it conservation when coin-safe chemicals are used. Water, acetone and xylene are examples of coin-safe conservation solvents.
Why do you feel compelled to dip a slabbed coin? The pictures aren't very good but from what I can see I wouldn't remove it from that old slab. It looks like a pretty nice coin.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
849 Posts |
This is a close up through the plastic. All my large cents are non graded in an album and this coin would fill the last hole. That would be the reason to take it out. Should I do so, any treatment suggested that would improve things without damaging the coin?  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19969 Posts |
OH, now I see, garden variety verdigris. It doesn't look very old, you should have some luck with VC. Trying the regular array of coin solvents will be futile IMO. In fact, they may hurt/change the patina, this is a rich, dark copper coin. Hopefully the heavy spots have not eaten too far down into the metal. What does the other side look like?
Edited by BadThad
09/25/2015 12:10 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
849 Posts |
Other Side  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
717 Posts |
Looks like that will clean up nicely with some VC
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19969 Posts |
Looks like a nice AU-MS coin, worth the conservation effort with VC IMO. I think you'd be happy with the end results even if not all the verdigris is removed.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
849 Posts |
Can I buy that in Calgary, Canada or is there anyone in Calgary who has bought this and can sell me half a bottle?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Why not just try Acetone first. Should be able to buy that anywhere.
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Moderator
United States
189654 Posts |
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Replies: 19 / Views: 3,921 |
Posted 09/24/2015 10:25 am
