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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,199 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
600 Posts |
I bought this coin from a large cent "junk bowl" at the first coin show I ever attended 20-odd years ago. I guess it was not uncommon years ago to paint/color a cleaned large cent to make it look sort-of new. At the time, I just liked the idea of having a large cent with lots of details for only a few dollars. Looking at it now, I'm wondering if there is a way to remove the paint/color without damaging the coin. Not that I'm old, I'd rather have the original surfaces, even if pitted, than have the coin as an oddity. I don't mind keeping it as an oddity, but if anyone has advice on how to safely remove the color, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3733 Posts |
100% pure acetone, would be your first option, and safest.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Good idea, nothing to lose.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
600 Posts |
Sorry...I should have said that I've tried acetone and it didn't do anything. I haven't tried anything else.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
789 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Agree, a good soak in paint thinner is the next step.
Edited by Coinfrog
07/13/2020 8:24 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8515 Posts |
Are you sure it's painted ?
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
I would give xylene a shot, soak it overnight, And lightly roll over it with a qtip to remove what it has loosened. Have had a lot more success with it on copper than acetone.
Looks more like corrosion/ oxidation than paint to me. I've seen this once it's subject to an acid of some kind and then oxidizes.
Edited by Ty2020b
07/13/2020 9:08 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
From the image it doesn't look like it is painted.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2362 Posts |
I'm not seeing the paint. It looks like corrosion from the picture.  Just a comment about xylene - be very careful as it is more toxic than acetone. Ventilation is very important. Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
600 Posts |
Not sure if this pic captures it better or not, but in hand it certainly looks like it has been recolored. I didn't think it was oxidation because it is almost perfectly uniform and smooth across the coin and the color doesn't look right. Under the digital microscope (better detail but color is off) the surface doesn't seem particularly corroded. Appreciate everyone's advice/thoughts.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
743 Posts |
I've never used it on a coin, but MEK {methyl ethyl ketone) is my go-to when acetone fails (I used it on my airplane)... Just use it in an open space, the fumes are brutal and can be mildly explosive...
(One step up from Xylene)
Edited by mtuma3
07/14/2020 09:41 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3622 Posts |
I agree with the upthread comments that it looks acid washed. That would explain why the acetone didn't do anything.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,199 |
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Posted 07/13/2020 6:21 pm
