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Need To Pre Treat New Uncirculated Coins?

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Bettaguy2's Avatar
United States
44 Posts
 Posted 11/10/2009  5:08 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Bettaguy2 to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I have read suggestions of emersing new uncirculated business strikes in alcohol, then rinsing with distilled water and air drying prior to storage (holders, etc). All the while not touching the coin with fingers. The idea being to remove any contaminant such as oil residue from the mint for thorough conservation.

And of coarse, I'll say it for you, I've read "never clean coins".

Opinions? Is the described "bathing" method effective? Advisable or unnecessary?
If advisable, on all or just some coins/cases. Is it harmful in any fashion?
Would circulated business strikes benefit from this for conservation prior to inclusion in a collection?

Sorry, I didn't intend to run on with questions. This subject has been driving me nuts. Sorry if this topic is redundant, also.

New in the game,

David
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RFB's Avatar
United States
532 Posts
 Posted 11/10/2009  5:26 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add RFB to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Gunk or grim from circulation that gets stuck in crevices and in lettering is all but impossible to remove without a quick swish. The point is not intended to clean the coin in the classical sense, just to remove the junk and let the coin put it's best foot forward in your collection.

Most common is Acetone as it is a more aggressive solvent, yet it does not react with most coin's metal content. It evaporates so quickly that the rinse immediately afterwards is to prevent any residue from drying onto the coin that can sometimes form a haze.

You are not using the bathing method to disturb the natural patina or anything beyond reasons such as- breaking up tape, or sticky tape residues. Spot removal. Removing crud and build up in the legends.
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Kabiye_Lady's Avatar
United States
581 Posts
 Posted 11/10/2009  8:09 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Kabiye_Lady to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Acetone and distilled water do not damage modern coins. If you have a "gem" quality coins you would like to save, I think what you're suggesting is a very good idea. It does take time and you have to be careful - avoid accidentally damaging the coin, etc.

Before I knew better, I would move coins directly to air-tites without the acetone treatment and it's amazing how many develop spots and other problems a year or two later.
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts
 Posted 11/11/2009  09:36 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
Acetone and distilled water do not damage modern coins. If you have a "gem" quality coins you would like to save, I think what you're suggesting is a very good idea. It does take time and you have to be careful - avoid accidentally damaging the coin, etc.

Before I knew better, I would move coins directly to air-tites without the acetone treatment and it's amazing how many develop spots and other problems a year or two later.


First of all to the Forum
Glad your here.
As to playing around with Uncirculated coins it is not the greatest idea. For one thing to many chances of dropping them, scratching them, fingerprints or who knows what. leave well enough alone.
A coin in an air tight container should not change at all. If they developed spots or other problems, I would suspect the so called ari tights were not air tight. Just what kind of reaction would be from a piece of metal just sitting without any other substance in contact with them?
Also, if you do not presently have Acetone or other flamable substances in or around your home, don't start now. A coin or two is not worth the cost of a new home, your eyesight, etc. And remember those that do recommend this will not pay for your new home, you medical bills and will not even visit you in the hospital.
However, if your determined to try that, use the search tab at the top for Acetone and find the many explanations on that subject.
I still say leave well enough alone. I've put all types of coins in my Albums including proofs and never have a problem with anything. All my albums are in Zip Lock Plastic Bags.
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BadThad's Avatar
United States
19942 Posts
 Posted 11/11/2009  9:34 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add BadThad to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
If you want to protect them before storage in an air tight container, rinse with a high purity acetone and then store. Never rinse with water before storage! Water is the enemy to a coins surface. Acetone will remove any traces of water.
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Valued Member
stephen's Avatar
United States
206 Posts
 Posted 11/11/2009  10:24 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add stephen to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I am confused about a water rinse after acetone yes or no. I could easily believe Thad about water. but will the acetone leave a film even if dried ?
Edited by stephen
11/11/2009 10:45 pm
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biokemist6's Avatar
United States
12437 Posts
 Posted 11/11/2009  10:53 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add biokemist6 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Acetone(>99.5% purity) will never leave a trace as long as you rinse a coin in fresh acetone after a soak. Everything that was on the coin will be dissolved in the soak acetone- that would leave a film if left to dry. Clean acetone will flash off a coin in a few seconds at room temperature.
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts
 Posted 11/12/2009  5:34 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:

I am confused about a water rinse after acetone yes or no. I could easily believe Thad about water. but will the acetone leave a film even if dried ?


for one thing it should be cleared that we are talking about distilled water. The massive variances in tap water could do excessive damage to coins. Actually some tap water kills plants if the water is run through a water softener.
Acetone will disolve lots of STUFF. One of the problems is when it evaporates, some of the disolved substances are left on the object that was to be cleaned with the Acetone. If the Acetone was also used for other purposes or has been laying around for some time, when it evaporates it could leave more STUFF on a coin than was there previously.
As I said you really should do a search of coin cleaning, Acetone, etc., on this forum.
New Member
Bettaguy2's Avatar
United States
44 Posts
 Posted 11/12/2009  10:59 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Bettaguy2 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Hi All,

Sorry if this is a duplicate. I so new I'm still trying to learn how to navigate the site! Thanks for your responses and the welcome. I will do as just Carl recommends and search the topic and read up here.

David
Valued Member
CoyoteMoss's Avatar
United States
116 Posts
 Posted 11/14/2009  07:19 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add CoyoteMoss to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Every coin I add to my collection gets an acetone rinse before it joins the collection family. I don't rinse with water, but I do think- it is not a bad idea. The acetone rinse is to just clean off any possible oils or anything that may harm or tarnish the coin. Do take precaution with acetone, especially if you have children.
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Morgans Dad's Avatar
United States
5608 Posts
 Posted 11/14/2009  3:21 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Morgans Dad to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
As stated above by "just carl, I still say leave well enough alone. I've put all types of coins in my Albums including proofs and never have a problem with anything. All my albums are in Zip Lock Plastic Bags " Great idea using the storage bags, great tip!

I agree with this statement, except for the fact that if some coins are in "need" of a good rinse, "and the person is familiar with chemical usage in and around the home" and this does not mean unforeseen things could still not happen, I feel you are at a cross-road to decide what you want to do, to prevent any further damage to your coins. Also there is always the chance that the more a coin is handled, the more a chance of something, not planned on, just happening. I also believe some people should not be using chemicals at all, again, just my opinion...

Where are my manners, "Bettaguy2", Welcome to this forum, this is a great place to learn from some very bright, kind, always willing to assist people, in this hobby!Good Luck.
Edited by Morgans Dad
11/14/2009 3:27 pm
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