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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,049 |
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New Member
Canada
49 Posts |
HI, I have a few nice 100 yo copper coins that have black gunk accumulated around the lettering. My mother was helping me triage a bag of coins and "started cleaning" one (ever helpful" and she said the surface just "flaked off" when she put her nail to the rim (I know, I know). Now I can see there's this tiny small bit of surface where, indeed, the cent is new copper shiny, where the rest is the matte brown a copper can become. Are either of these more desirable left alone than having it cleaned? How about verdigris, is it better to leave it always, or to remove it? Would these cleaning baths be more appropriate (see picture)? Would any of these get rid of verdigris?  |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
I'm not familiar with those products but, I wouldn't use them. Other than acetone, I know some use Xylene. I've only used acetone. As far as verdigris, it cannot be removed, only inhibited. There is a product called Verdi-Care that addresses that. It won't remove any sign of verdigris but, it will stop the corrosion process and protect the coin. This is something to be used after removing debris and build-up with acetone or something of the like. If build-up or "gunk" has been on the coin a while, especially on copper, expect the color difference as the gunk has protected the surface to some extent from normal color change due to light and air exposure. If manual means are necessary, I suggest a q-tip w/ acetone first and then a toothpick. If you have a high-value coin, you would probably be better off sending it to a TPG to be graded and use their conservation services. In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
Edited by spru
04/17/2017 12:11 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
869 Posts |
 Copper can be tricky, especially old brown coins. It's very easy to ruin them with harsh chemicals. Like the previous gentleman suggested try the acetone treatment to remove any organic material. Good luck . .  |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
The products you're showing most likely are some form of light acid treatment. Like the silver cleaner is to remove tarnish from silverware or jewelry. It may work well for those but it does remove a slight amount of the surface metal. That is why it's a no-no for coins, reduces vale tremendously.  |
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New Member
 Canada
49 Posts |
Thanks! I'll buy some verdi care and some acetone (am I wrong to think nail polish remover with acetone is the same thing as "acetone"?)
Mariah
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Copper is the most difficult metal to clean on coins IMO, It's best left to the experts only, so try it only on low value coins. Acetone baths are completely safe for the copper, it should only remove organic gunk and some verdigris, not change the color at all, still there is a technique to learn with it, I also "fix" my copper coins with a light coating of Verd-Care as a treatment, like the old "Blue Ribbon" so as to further protect them over time. You can search for Verdi-Care and Acetone cleaning methods here on CCF there have been many threads in the past.
"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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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Never use nail polish remover,only 100% acetone. A rose thorn is better than a toothpick,but a toothpick will do. Be gentle with whatever you use.FYI,Verdi-Care is made by a CCF member. John1 |
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New Member
Canada
49 Posts |
Me again!
I have a 1973 Uncirculated US Coin set (black plastic outer case, red 'fake velvet" and coins "safe inside"... Well, I've been looking at them with the magnifying glass I I notice some dull flakes "growing"?" on them from the edges. What should I do? With the naked eye, the coins just appear as duller on the edge. "Flakes" don't appear thick... Is this a natural process and should I just leave it be?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Wood toothpick please, not plastic.
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New Member
Canada
49 Posts |
RE: "Flakes" pic To bathe or not to bathe? (And BTW, what's going on with that nose?)  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1000 Posts |
That's a proof set, and the "flakes" you are seeing may be haze. You can dip in acetone if you want, but don't touch the surface of the coin with anything - not even a cotton qtip. Proof coins have a mirror finish and get hairlines extremely easily.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,049 |
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Posted 04/16/2017 11:41 pm
