Before And After Acetone Pictures?

These are probably my best results. Since these were circulated coins of low value, I also used an acetone dipped q-tip to manually remove gunk after the bath.

Sorry, the two left coins are flipped:





The pfennig was unchanged.

Also, some good results with acetone and Verdi-Care:





The 10 pfennig was a loss to corrosion, so no Verdi-Care obviously.

Here's the same cent from above by itself with beginning and end pics. It's a lot more presentable now except for that huge verdigris spot on the reverse:

I got it from the paint section at Wal-mart.

I had to look it up but it is a quart and cost under $5 where I am. I'll have to add that I'm almost out, but I've been soaking many coins. If the container you're bathing coins in is open, it evaporates very quickly so a larger size may not be such a bad idea.

As a side note, denatonium benzoate is a bittering agent added to things like this and rubbing alcohol to prevent improper ingestion. According to the Kleen-Strip MSDS, it is 100% acetone.

Thanks, guys. I'm more concerned about where to store excess than the cost. The 16 oz bottle was ideal until I read the label. I looked up denatonium benzoate, saw it was a bittering agent, and figured it was there to deter alcoholics. I assumed that if it's dissolved in the acetone, it'll leave a residue upon evaporation. Spruett, when I was in Walmart, I only checked for acetone in their makeup department; I'll have to look near paints next time.

I know value is relative to the eye of the buyer, but does acetone hurt the value at all?

Awesome photos @spruett001! Wow, if anyone needed convincing about the value of well-informed acetone use and Verdi-Care, those photos should do it.

I buy Klean-Strip Acetone at Home Depot, 1 qt = $7.48; 1 gal = $12.97

From the Klean-Strip Acetone Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on page 2:


I also buy Xylene at Home Depot - Klean-Strip 1 qt. Xylol Xylene = $6.81

See this post by BadThad for info on removing surface debris from coins in a safe and efficacious manner: http://goccf.com/t/57008#447106

As I understand it--from the coin collector chemists--soaking most coins for a limited amount of time in distilled water, acetone, or xylene does not damage the metallic content of the coin. There is no doubt a better way to say that, which hopefully one of the experts will do.

~ Mark

Here are some posts on CCF on this topic:

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Removing Surface Debris and Conserving Your Coins
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Posts on Community Coin Forum:

*Most Important Post*: BadThad's Polarity Ladder
http://goccf.com/t/57008#447106

Example of acetone + Verdi-Care on 1910-S Lincoln Wheat cent
http://goccf.com/t/274099

How long to soak a coin in acetone?
www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=59797

Specific questions re: Polarity Ladder - STEP 1: Distilled Water
http://goccf.com/t/268083

Specific questions re: Polarity Ladder - STEP 2: ACETONE
http://goccf.com/t/268086#268086

Specific questions re: Polarity Ladder - Step 3: Xylene (also discusses Acetone)
http://goccf.com/t/268087

In general, is there a recommended length of time to acetone soak a coin?
http://goccf.com/t/266549

TEST: DOES ACETONE TURN COPPER PINK? [Short answer: No.]
http://goccf.com/t/129677

It should not, unless acetone removed material that was hiding some uglier surface damage. But in that case, value was probably already suspect.

Thanks everyone. I thought they might come in handy someday. I hope they are of some help ThreeLui.