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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,655 |
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New Member
Canada
34 Posts |
I recently received a bunch a coins from a family friend...however they have been sitting around for quite some time and have been tarnished. So I'm wondering if anyone would be able to help me in order to restore the coins into a more presentable state.  |
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New Member
 Canada
34 Posts |
I forgot to mention what coins you are looking at.
From top to bottom:
1)Don't know what it is...but its from the Netherlands 1858
2)1964 US Half Dollar
3)1937 Canadian Quarter
4)1964 Canadian Dollar (Quebec/Charlottetown)
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
What a shame... some nice coins, I would say drop the Netherland coin in some Olive Oil, and the others try a soaking in Acetone, it may help, but they look like there pretty well gone.  |
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Valued Member
Canada
207 Posts |
The 1858 should be 2.5 gulden 25g mintage 8.300.000 XF value at $90.00 They all silver coins.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1082 Posts |
In my experience, if it's just tarnish, it should rub off with just your finger. I have a bunch of silver quarters, and yes, they do start to turn black over time. When I notice it happening, I usually rub it off with my thumb, and this usually takes care of it.
The kind of tarnish I am talking about tones the coin evenly; I don't know exactly what is afoot on your coins, which appear to have toned in a spotty way. The quarter and the half actually look almost rusty.
The way they are right now, an acetone bath couldn't hurt.
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New Member
Canada
34 Posts |
Thanks guys,
As I've never done this before, where do I go about getting acetone?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
I found acetone at Kent's Building Supply. I couldn't find it in either Rona or Home Depot (the latter told me they don't carry it). It seems it's not as readily available here in Canada compared to the US. Hmm, or was it Rona I found it at and not Kent?  Either way, it wasn't Home Depot lol |
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Valued Member
Canada
386 Posts |
You could try nail polish remover. It contains quite a bit of acetone.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
Nail Polish Remover also contains other softeners and chemicals that we wouldn't want on the coins. Try to find the pure stuff, if possible.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
Nope, definitely not nail polish remover. I tried that once thinking, "Well, it can't be too bad, it's acetone based," but it left nasty gunk on the coins. Luckily they were just common wheat cents and weren't ruined, but a big waste of time. Pure acetone only. |
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New Member
Canada
34 Posts |
I went to one of my local coin dealers, he suggested a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol.
Any thoughts on that?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
I'll let someone with experience comment on the rubbing alcohol, but I'd suggest that whatever you decide, do the Netherlands coin last, since it's really the only one with any value above melt ... at least with that damage.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
598 Posts |
I've used isopropyl alcohol(99%) many times to remove tape residue and melted/old rubber band grime, etc... works great but my stuff was just junk grade silver. Looking at your pictures I really doubt alcohol would help much. Home Depot carries 1 litre cans of acetone where I live... maybe certain stores only carry it if enough demand/turnover. I remember a thread I couldn't be bothered to look for about someone saying acetone was like illegal or something in Canada ... don't make me upload a picture of the shelving at my local Home Depot!  Anyway, I'd try the acetone on one coin, olive oil on another, both on another. Then use the best results on the Netherlands. If there are no best results then perhaps just leave the Dutch piece be until someone with a difinitive "cure" comes along.  |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,655 |
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Posted 05/20/2009 3:48 pm
