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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,161 |
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
My dad recently showed me his Mercury dime set that has been sitting in one of the old blue Whitman albums. A number of the dimes in the set have black marks on them. It appears the black marks came from the text inside the album. This also happened to his Roosevelt dime set. I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to remove the black stuff off the coins without damaging the coins? Thanks |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
860 Posts |
I would try putting one in pure acetone, which by itself will not harm the coin,
but if the ink has truly adhered to the surface of the coin for any length of time, when it is removed there may a difference in the silver patina beneath the ink than the area that wasn't covered. Try it on a common date ( least expensive) to see if it does the job. You can get pure acetone in most hardware stores. Don't use solutions that may contain acetone but also other chemicals. You probably know not to rub or scrub the coin.
Jim
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Quote:
one of the old blue Whitman albums Just to be specific, are you referring to a folder where you can only see one side or an album that has acetate slides that show both sides of the coins? Acetone may or may not work, it depends on whether the black is ink or toning. If it is toning, the acetone will not remove it. BTW, always check the purity of your acetone by letting a small bit evaporate in a glass dish. If no residue, it is pure. Also, use in an area with excellent ventilation and no open flames. Acetone is an organic solvent and is flammable but can be used safely if you take those precautions. Can you post some pics? |
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Valued Member
 United States
56 Posts |
The album I was refering to was the ones where only one side of the coin can be seen. I got him a dansco album to transfer the coins to so it won't be a problem in the future. Thanks for the advice, I will try out the acetone, and will post before and after pictures later tonight.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
What biokemist6 was referring to was just that. Not an album, but a folder. What you now have is not from ink, it is possibly from the glue used to make that folder. Usually many people find that when they take those coins out, the back is streaked with discolorations of dark and light. Again, all from the glue used to make that folder. As noted you may try Acetone and/or distilled water but more than likely, that dark area will remain. Leave it alone if still there after the Acetone and/or distilled water.
I always suggest to everyone that if you intend to keep any coins as a hobby, do not put them in those folders. Another suggestion is to place the new albums in zip lock plastic bags, press out as much air as possible and zip it closed.
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
Whatever you do, have the 1916D, 1921, and 1921D cleaned by a professional.
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
Sorry, I didn't realize the different names meant different things. Here are a few pictures of the black marks I was talking about. The marks are on the front of the coins not the back. Note that not all of the coins in the sets show these marks only a few. The first picture is the worst coin from the mercury set. Image:  1937dime.jpg78.43 KB The second pictures is the worst coin from the Roosevelt set. Image: 1957dime.jpg69.01 KB ShadowCreator- Unfortunately these are not full sets, just all of the coins he found when he was a kid. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
My dad had a blue whitman folder filled with some mercs and rosies that he collected from when he was a kid. They also have that same kind of black toning, but much darker and heavier than yours. I don't think acetone would be able to get it off. It's toning from the album and the environment that it was from. You might be able to dip it to get rid of it.
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
Sadness. But then again, it makes the other coins, in the minting, that much more rare in well preserved condition.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,161 |
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Posted 06/20/2008 08:54 am
1937dime.jpg
1957dime.jpg
