| Author |
 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,447 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
121 Posts |
I know coin cleaning period is a cardinal no-no, and I can say that on my nearly 50 years of collecting I've never cleaned one. I have one that's bugging me now, though. It's a Shield nickel that I think would grade in the high AUs,but it's got thick green mold all over it like it spent about 20 years in somebody's sauna. Does anyone know a safe method to get rid of the mold |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
717 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
I would kill the mold first with some form of bleach solution, and rinse in tap water, don't know how long without looking at it
|
|
Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Try pure acetone soak. won't hurt coin, gets off organics. Rinse well and soft cloth tap dry.
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
121 Posts |
Thanks, I'll try the bleach and see what happens. As far as you know, no danger of spots or discoloration from the bleach? I saw a recent post where someone had dried syrup or something on a coin, and one of the responses said to soak it in acetone. I'd be kinda gun-shy on that one though.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1005 Posts |
Bleach is much more dangerous for the coin compared to acetone, which has zero chance of hurting the coin. Chance of bleach hurting the coin > 0. Don't do it
|
|
Valued Member
United States
121 Posts |
Ok, I think I'll experiment with both on some worthless coins first and see what kind of results I get. thanks for the tips guys!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1963 Posts |
We need a pic first. DON'T do anything yet!
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Most probably the metabolism products of mold are either acidic or alkaline. In association with atmospheric moisture (which molds need environmentally to survive), there is most probably some slight corrosive attack on the surface of the nickel.
Cleaning it in acetone will not do any more damage, but I suspect that the surface of the metal under the mold has been stained in an unsightly manner.
Bleach is an oxidizing agent. it will corrode to coin just like an acid.
Don't use bleach.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Bleach is an oxidizing agent. it will corrode to coin just like an acid.
Don't use bleach. Best advice. You just don't know how the Bleach will react with the mold. |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Besides Acetone, how about alcohol. It might subdue the mold . Then move in for the kill with the Acetone .  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
Are you sure it's mold and not pvc damage ?
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Acetone dissolves more organic substances. Pure alcohol may dissolve some things acetone won't. Pure alcohol OK to use if you don't have acetone; don't use booze.  |
|
Valued Member
United States
404 Posts |
Alcohol/acetone are Solvents. They do not harm metal. Bleach uses chlorine as oxidizer, meaning that it will react with your coin...
|
| |
Replies: 13 / Views: 1,447 |
|
Posted 02/15/2017 10:25 pm
