| Author |
 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,448 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
I've just discovered that during the night some liquid was spilled into a small box filled with some wheat cents. Now the coins are stained with a dark residue. Can they be saved, what do I do? I've read some things online like soaking them in water with vinegar and using a soft brissel toothbrush. Seriously devastated!!
Edit> was was watered down 7up Edited by Msaintiger
08/24/2022 03:14 am
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Acetone is always the first thing to try, but if the coins are already circulated then some light wiping with a microfiber cloth probably won't hurt the value any more. I am always leary to tell anyone to clean coins, conserve yes but out right clean? Nope. Pictures would help.
"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 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2231 Posts |
I don't know much about cleaning coins but it likely depends what was spilled on them, a water based product, oil based, ink, harsh detergent like toilet cleaner?
Obviously I would not use anything abrasive like a scratch pad.
Soapy water may work then let them dry? The usual solvent a lot of collectors use is acetone. But be careful, wear gloves and it's flammable.
Others will likely comment with more advice.
Edited by livingwater
08/23/2022 9:58 pm
|
|
Valued Member
United States
152 Posts |
Copper coins are almost impossible to clean correctly if ever,even by so called professionals.I almost bought a cleaned 1909-S VDB once at a decent price years ago but just didn't because of the way it looked.That was the only one I was missing.Even had a 1922 plain that was awesome.
|
|
Moderator
 Australia
16826 Posts |
Our answer, and your possible options, depend entirely on what that "liquid" was. If it's caused a darkening overnight, then it must have contained either something noxious (like acid or sulfide) or something darkening (like tea or coffee).
The black gunk from tea or coffee ought to come off in acetone. Acid damage and sulfur damage is likely to be permanent and any attempt at removing it will result in a "cleaned coin" that nobody will want.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2281 Posts |
What kind of liquid are we talking about?
Acetone first, then see how that works out.
You realize when you know how to think, it empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
|
|
Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
It was 7 up soda pop. Use distilled water. If the coins already turned dark, I think you are stuck with them that way. If there are any rarities, then you will need to send in to have them professionally conserved. Never use vinegar or soap or cloth or scrub coins. John1  Edited by John1
08/24/2022 03:19 am
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
All good comments above and I'll shall repeat '' Never Clean Coins ''. Very mild soap and distilled water and or acetone is the farthest I would go . Try to show us some close up photos of the wheat cents in question .  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
The best I can suggest is an acetone soak, (which most probably won't work), then treatment with VerdiCare.
Nevertheless, I don't like your chances, unfortunately.
Soda pop is CO2 dissolved in water, with flavors.
CO2 dissolved in water is otherwise known as carbonic acid.
Insoluble copper carbonates will be formed on the surface of copper and bronze or brass coins, which is what the stains happen to be.
Don't use vinegar, because copper acetates will be formed, and will cause further damage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Never do this at home :-
I bought a totally unidentifiable coin, decades ago, from a dealer's junk box, but he suspected that it could be ancient.
I said that I would like it to be cleaned to be able to identify it, with the possibility that it may be totally destroyed. That was OK, because I couldn't identify it anyway.
He put in hydrochloric acid for about a minute, then thoroughly washed with water and then the acid passivated in a buffering solution.
The coin turned out to be an ancient Egyptian silver tetradrachm of Ptolemy X11 ( 80-51 BC), in EF condition.
I still have it.
It has since developed a nice classic patina after it's ordeal.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
Acetone may do the trick. If it doesn't, then the coins are probably toast. Red copper is sensitive, and proper restoration is nearly impossible with basic tools.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
| |
Replies: 9 / Views: 1,448 |
|
Posted 08/23/2022 9:53 pm
