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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,085 |
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Valued Member
United States
71 Posts |
I was incredibly lucky to find this gem in circulation. However it is covered in filth and I don't know if I should try to remove it or leave it as is? It feels like the substance could be fingernail polish or lacquer. What should I do?   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Sure. A good acetone bath should get most of that crud off easily if it's just sticky crap and lint
Edited by Cascade
01/10/2016 12:53 pm
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Valued Member
 United States
71 Posts |
That's good to know! I've heard of using acetone before but I've always been concerned what that would do to the coin once the crud is gone.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
After a good long bath in acetone, then post photos again of the coin. at that time we should be able to tell you what to do next.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
And if you buy some Acetone, just get a quart can from any place that sells paints.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5828 Posts |
 Thats got to be the best find ive seen in quite a while! Coingrats on your awesome find! I concur that acetone will do the trick! |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
 Just in case you don't know this: do not use nail polish remover which may contain acetone but also contains a bunch of stuff that will ruin the coin. Get pure acetone from the hardware store. Use it outdoors or at least near an open window. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Quote:
I've heard of using acetone before but I've always been concerned what that would do to the coin once the crud is gone. Essentially nothing happens except the foreign matter is dissolved, the color should not change at all, nor will acetone cause damage, it can dry out the coin as it evaporates, and why I always now use Verdi-Care after acetone baths on copper, bronze coins myself. Discoloration can occur from now being able to see what was under the contaminant once it has been removed, lacquer and glues will often keep a coin's patina from being evenly distributed, but the acetone itself won't discolor or change the coin itself nor change any toning it has acquired in my experience. "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
Pleas share a photo of your results. I think some people would like to see how much better the coin looks without lacquer. Some Veri-care might help with the green.
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Valued Member
United States
71 Posts |
Thanks for the great advice everyone. I picked up some pure acetone and will soak the coin soon. I'll post the results as soon as I can.
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Valued Member
United States
71 Posts |
Well, here she is. Got all of the glue type stuff off which was the thing I was most concerned about. Didn't seem to touch the green stuff to much but I don't think it would have. A slight bit of decolorization between the exposed parts and the dirty parts, but we planned for that. Overall I'm pleased with the results and will leave it as is. Some of you mentioned Verdi-Care, which seems like a good idea, but I think acetone did what I needed it to. I threw it right back in a 2X2 after the acetone dried and am excited to get in back in my collection. Thanks again for the help everyone!   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
This coin is a great candidate for Verdi-Care treatment, do a search on it to see some threads, it can and has worked wonders on coins like this one. No guarantees but the inventor/creator of Verdi-Care is "BadThad" and he is a regular member here at CCF, you could always check with him on his thoughts to whether or not it would help this coin out more. 1931-S is a nice tough date, so anything you can do to preserve it is a good thing.
The application of acetone sure helped out, looking much better now.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Valued Member
United States
71 Posts |
Good info! I'll look into it. The fact that it is a 1931-S makes me nervous to do much of anything to it.  but I also I don't want to see such a beautiful coin left in ruin. It's a good coin I wouldn't grade it much lower than a XF45, its just dirty, but again I don't want to make it any worse. I'll look into trying Verdi-care on another coin and go from there.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19963 Posts |
Good to hear the glue came off easily.
While you can certainly leave the coin as is, personally, I wouldn't leave it with all that verdigris. This coin is a prime example of why I invented VC. Professional conservation would likely cost you at least $50 with shipping and insurance (If they would even accept it, I don't think they would.) but coin is worth around $100 without the mess it's in. That makes pro conservation monetarily prohibitive.
The coin is still in such bad condition, you'd have nothing to lose by trying VC on it. It's always going to be "problem coin" no matter what happens. I think you'd see a good bit of improvement but the corrosion on the obverse looks pretty heavy, it appears to have already eaten into the coin. The light to moderate verdigris should be easily removed - and I see quite a few patches.
GOOD LUCK, that's a heck of a find!
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,085 |
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Posted 01/10/2016 12:56 pm
