Coin Community Family of Web Sites Join Thousands of Coin, Bullion, & Money Collectors
Coin, Banknote and Medal Collectors's Online Mall 300,000 items to help build your collection! Join Thousands of Coin, Bullion, & Money Collectors Specializing in Modern Numismatics Shop for APMEX Bullion on eBay!Vancouvers #1 Coin and Paper Money Dealer Royal Canadian Mint products, Canadian, Polish, American, and world coins and banknotes.








Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?


This page may contain links that result in small commissions to keep this free site up and running.

Welcome Guest! Registering and/or logging in will remove the anchor (bottom) ads. It's Free!

Visual Reference Of Steps Taken To Restore Metal Detecting Coins - Polarity Ladder

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.
Author Previous TopicReplies: 10 / Views: 999Next Topic  
Pillar of the Community
Learn More...
DOCC's Avatar
United States
1502 Posts
 Posted 03/04/2025  10:36 am Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add DOCC to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
This video highlights the primary steps I take when restoring a metal detecting find. In this example, a 1921 Morgan dollar.

But more specifically, I employ @BadThad's Polarity Ladder as the first 3 steps and you can see how effective it really is. I think all detectorists should consider the Polarity Ladder as a mandatory starting point.

ME-RKU8Y6UE

I swing a metal detector and have a knack for finding dirty old coins.
Dirt coin restoration projects - https://www.prodetecting.com/restorations
Dirt coin restoration blog - https://www.prodetecting.com/blog/ccaw
Dirt coin dig videos - https://www.youtube.com/@prodetecting
Bedrock of the Community
Learn More...
HondoB's Avatar
United States
24926 Posts
 Posted 03/04/2025  11:42 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add HondoB to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Excellent video, DOCC! You did a fantastic job documenting the effectiveness of each of the steps. And your coin came out looking great!
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
Pillar of the Community
MisterT's Avatar
United States
2002 Posts
 Posted 03/04/2025  1:27 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add MisterT to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

I have never heard of the sodium sesquicarbonate before. Can you tell us more about that? Is it the same thing as TSP found in box stores?
Moderator
Learn More...
jbuck's Avatar
United States
187702 Posts
Pillar of the Community
Learn More...
DOCC's Avatar
United States
1502 Posts
 Posted 03/04/2025  5:33 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add DOCC to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
MisterT - it has a long track record for processing ancients. I stumbled on it a few years back reading an article published by a museum conservator. It is my go to for step four 99% of the time. Solution ratio and soak times are key to success.
I swing a metal detector and have a knack for finding dirty old coins.
Dirt coin restoration projects - https://www.prodetecting.com/restorations
Dirt coin restoration blog - https://www.prodetecting.com/blog/ccaw
Dirt coin dig videos - https://www.youtube.com/@prodetecting
Pillar of the Community
Greasy Fingers's Avatar
United States
6994 Posts
 Posted 03/04/2025  10:20 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Greasy Fingers to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Wow great results...thank you making and sharing this video....
Pillar of the Community
United States
2213 Posts
 Posted 03/05/2025  9:20 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add livingwater to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Good work, thanks for taking the time to make the video and sharing.
Valued Member
jerrytheplater's Avatar
United States
73 Posts
 Posted 04/08/2026  5:58 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add jerrytheplater to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Any suggestions for a glass jar that seals well enough to contain Acetone vapors? I purchased Weighing bottles with ground glass lids and they did not really work. Maybe its because I didn't buy actual Kimax or Pyrex brand? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JM38CF...d_asin_title
Pillar of the Community
Learn More...
DOCC's Avatar
United States
1502 Posts
 Posted 04/08/2026  8:22 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add DOCC to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I use mini mason jars - 4oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YRC9SX...title_4&th=1

And I use this brand for the lids. Never had an issue with disintegration of the seal part. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9D2YK...title_1&th=1
I swing a metal detector and have a knack for finding dirty old coins.
Dirt coin restoration projects - https://www.prodetecting.com/restorations
Dirt coin restoration blog - https://www.prodetecting.com/blog/ccaw
Dirt coin dig videos - https://www.youtube.com/@prodetecting
Valued Member
jerrytheplater's Avatar
United States
73 Posts
 Posted 04/09/2026  08:34 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add jerrytheplater to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thank you very much DOCC!! The silicone lid is exactly what is needed!! I have so many other uses for them.

45 years ago when I sold honey from my hives (no longer a beekeeper) in glass qt mayonnaise jars I bought a bag of 500 plastic lids that had a "leak proof" seal. Well, the seals don't work to keep silica gel desiccant dry after 45 years. Silicone will.
Moderator
Learn More...
nickelsearcher's Avatar
United States
15389 Posts
 Posted 04/09/2026  09:25 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add nickelsearcher to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I somehow missed this outstanding video when you first published it.

Thank you very much DOCC for sharing your knowledge.
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art
  Previous TopicReplies: 10 / Views: 999Next Topic  

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.



    




Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us  |  Advertise Here  |  Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum © 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Forums
It took 0.43 seconds to rattle this change. Forums