How / Should I Clean This. - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,449
uouo77 Valued Member United States 125 Posts	Posted 10/28/2009 1:31 pm I would like to get rid of this finger print Report this Post to the Staff

biokemist6 Bedrock of the Community United States 12437 Posts	Posted 10/28/2009 1:36 pm If it is fresh, a soak in an organic solvent(acetone, xylene) would remove it without harm to the coin. If it is old, you probably won't be able to remove it as it has already etched into the surface of the coin. Edit: Skin oils contain organic acids that will etch a fingerprint into metal over time. Etched fingerprints can be removed from silver and nickel with a "dipping" aka E-Z-est or Jeweluster. Of course, dipping introduces another set of problems- the dip is a solution of thiourea and sulfuric acid that in unskilled hands will strip the luster from a coin and eventually leave ugly toning in its wake. This is also the most common reason for a coin being rejected as "cleaned". In a few select cases in skilled hands, a dip can dramatically improve the appearance of a coin and without any traces left at all but most people just end up ruining perfectly good coins In regards to copper, it should never be dipped as copper is much too reactive for that treatment. That lovely chocolate copper of yours would turn into a pink abomination Edited by biokemist6 10/28/2009 3:11 pm Report this Post to the Staff
SeatedNut Pillar of the Community United States 2797 Posts	Posted 10/28/2009 2:58 pm With a Screen name "biokemist6" ... I'd listen to his advice on these matters. I hope it's "fresh". Report this Post to the Staff
uouo77 Valued Member United States 125 Posts	Posted 10/28/2009 3:56 pm Thanks a bunch biokemist6 - It worked like a charm :) Edited by uouo77 10/28/2009 4:03 pm Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 10/28/2009 4:41 pm Usually does if done in a reasonable amount of time. Now hopefully you rinsed that coin with distilled water afterwards. Usually people dip a coin in something like Acetone, then remove it and allow to dry. In many instances the STUFF that was removed is now in the Acetone and allowing it to dry, allows the disolved STUFF to just relay on the coin. Such items as fingerprints are as already noted and the substances may not appear as a fingerprint on the coin again, but may well start a corrosion or sharply toning process if not rinsed with something like distilled water. Report this Post to the Staff
uouo77 Valued Member United States 125 Posts	Posted 10/28/2009 6:59 pm Well.... I just used Tap water. You think that will be ok? Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 10/28/2009 9:33 pm Quote: Well.... I just used Tap water. You think that will be ok? Possibly OK. Pending if you allowed it to dry or blew off excess water. The problem with tap water is it varies from house to house, city to city and state to state. In some areas it is well water. In some housholds it runs through a water softener. Those are the bad ones for coins. Well water could contain anything. Water from a water softener contains Salt, NaCl. This is abrasive and also can react with metals of coins. Such water should never be used for house plants since the salt will eventually kill them. In some areas tap water is run through a filtration system and then Chlorinated. That too is not good for household plants. Such water should be left standing for one day prior to use on plants. In other words for your question, tap water is not recomemended for coins. Yes you can drink it, just don't use it on plants, coins, delicate clothing, etc. I guess this means our stomachs are not important. Report this Post to the Staff
Archraz Pillar of the Community United States 3499 Posts	Posted 10/29/2009 12:44 am uouo77- Very nice! Is that a half penny or a full penny? I'm glad that the finger print came off. Report this Post to the Staff
uouo77 Valued Member United States 125 Posts	Posted 10/29/2009 12:50 am I took your advice and cleaned it with distilled water. Thanks for all the help and education :) Report this Post to the Staff
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