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 Replies: 11 / Views: 785 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
631 Posts |
My grandson asked me to inventory a coin collection which he was given by his alternate grandfather.
When I started in on the pennies I found that they all seem to have been covered with a shiny substance.
Is this something that other collectors do to pennies?
How does it affect the value of the coins?
Should I give them an Acetone soak to remove the substance (with my grandson's approval)?
Thanks, Team
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18361 Posts |
Applying lacquer to coins as a preservative was once a common practice. It's generally frowned upon now. TPGs will body-bag lacquered coins.
I've encountered them and had good success removing it with acetone. Use several soaks / rinses so that it's entirely removed.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Moderator
United States
33006 Posts |
"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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Pillar of the Community
United States
6103 Posts |
Would love to see some pics.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
58665 Posts |
A couple pure Acetone soaks should remove it.
Errers and Varietys.
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Moderator
United States
70388 Posts |
Good luck with the soaks (if you get the proper permission, that is)
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
631 Posts |
Thanks, Everyone this was some interesting reading.
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Valued Member
Portugal
474 Posts |
Never mind what the sellers of plastic cases say or do. If the lacquer is well preserved, not cracked, let the coins be as it is. It is doing its job preserving it. And will do a much better job than any plastic case. Those plastic cases come with no warranty and an expiry date for the grade they carry because they do not seal the coin.
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Valued Member
United States
181 Posts |
immediately when I read this Topic, my mind went directly to a freezer bag of Indian Head Pennies That I have of which I would say the majority of them have the same substance on them. Would this have been something people did to coins of the Indian Head penny era? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
58665 Posts |
Quote:immediately when I read this Topic, my mind went directly to a freezer bag of Indian Head Pennies That I have of which I would say the majority of them have the same substance on them. Would this have been something people did to coins of the Indian Head penny era? Yep. People did that to protect them. 
Errers and Varietys.
Edited by Errers and Varietys
02/16/2025 10:23 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1465 Posts |
How else does a 125 year plus copper coin retain full red? Someone most certainly laquered or shelaced it back then.
ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon
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Moderator
United States
70388 Posts |
I'm wondering how the soak (if done) is going..
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Replies: 11 / Views: 785 |
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Posted 02/10/2025 12:11 pm
