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 Replies: 13 / Views: 928 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6463 Posts |
For Christmas, I have assembled a set of seven matching challenge coins for my dad. Some of the vintage copper rounds have dark staining, discoloration, or the first whispers of verdigris. There is no particular numismatic value to the coins, so how would I bring the stained ones back up to gleaming copper? Are there metal cleaning products to avoid, or specific ones to use? I have tried acetone to no avail.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
C'mon, you know the drill.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6463 Posts |
  Not sure how pictures will change the recommendation of a copper cleaning product, but here ya go. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1143 Posts |
I have used Blue Ribbon on copper with success as it acts like a preservative while removing tarnish. That said they no longer make it and really don't know of a good product out there for coppers.
Edited by cointagous
12/02/2024 9:52 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10484 Posts |
Very good. Love your Father while you can, my Father died 6 years ago -
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24956 Posts |
Brandmeister, I wish you the best in this endeavor. I have the feeling that you'll be disappointed with the results if you clean them.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
Edited by HondoB
12/02/2024 10:59 pm
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Moderator
United States
34396 Posts |
Anyone think VerdiCare might be worth a shot?
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
You have already tried acetone. The ones with verdigris may benefit from Verdi-Care, but otherwise, my gut says leave them alone.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24956 Posts |
I've had old copper coins with dark splotches similar to these. It's from surface corrosion and is part of the coin / medal now. VerdiCare won't help (I've tried). Anything that will remove them will leave the coin / medal an unnatural lusterless orange that is very unattractive. I vote to leave them be.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1866 Posts |
imo--i would leave as is---a nice original keepsake from your dad ---
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
a nice original keepsake from your dad  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6463 Posts |
LOL. Fellas, it's not a keepsake from my dad, it's a Christmas present to my dad. I bought these medals on ebay. My dad was a Civil War Navy reenactor for many years, took several trips to Baltimore and the USS Constellation, and even served on the cannon crew a few times for firing demonstrations. These specific vintage medals—struck from copper nails recovered during the USS Constellation restoration—confer lifetime free admission to the ship and museum. I have assembled a set of seven, which is enough to confer free admission to dad, mom, and all kids and grandkids. We are going to take a trip to Baltimore and the USS Constellation in 2024 or 2025, and dad can give us a tour of the ship. We did that last year on a day trip to Gettysburg, and he was absolutely thrilled. Plus he will have the medals to display or pass down. I was going to saddle stitch an old timey leather wallet as a carrier for the coins, but as it turns out, leather stitching projects can be a bit too ambitious for first timers. As a side note, anyone visiting Baltimore should get one of these medals beforehand. They are less expensive on ebay than admission fees. |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Oh my! I totally read it as to when I quoted it.  The is for you showing love to your dad!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24956 Posts |
Thanks for that info, Brandmeister. If you do eventually make the wallets, be aware that the chemicals used to tan leather do bad things to coins / medals.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Replies: 13 / Views: 928 |
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Posted 12/02/2024 9:42 pm
