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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,441 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
535 Posts |
I thought that would get some attention  Disclaimer: For anyone who is new to coins let me preface this with a statement that you should not clean coins. In almost all circumstances you will damage the coin more than it already is, thereby decreasing the value of the coin. I am doing this because: A) I have researched and know that my coins have minimal collector value even in perfect condition. B) These coins are going to stay in my personal collection. I own them and always will. I'm not looking to sell them. C) Most importantly, in their current condition these coins are close to worthless, so I've got nothing to lose. Yesterday I picked up two copper nickle Great Britain crowns. The obverse is very attractive. The coins were sitting on a piece of foam in a plastic case. When I picked up the coins out of the holder, the foam that the coin was sitting on came apart, leaving a portion of it stuck to the back of the coin. I tried to peel it off, but it just breaks apart and leaves something a green splotches on the coin. It still feels like there is something rough stuck to the coin after I peel the foam off. Its almost like the foam melted to the coin. Does anyone have any experience with this type of thing? Right now I have them both sitting in distilled water. I don't think this will work. My next step is to soak them in acetone. Does anyone have any other suggestions? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
 All the coins shown here were at one time either polished, waxed, buffed or something. I purposely purchased them for experimenting. Started with soaking in Laquer thinner, then soaked in Acetone, Alcohol, Jewlery cleaners from Walmart and rinsed in tap water after each bath. Also, a slight rub with a Baking Soda/water paste. They all were left in the solutions for days or even weeks if I forgot they were there. Nothing to loose since they all were really cheap due to their appearances. After all that they looked like they were really cleaned so I placed them on a piece of raw wood and then on a kitchen window sill. Still there and for several months now and so far this is the results. |
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Valued Member
India
265 Posts |
please dont use acetone, do you use soap water, allow the coin to soak in the soap water for about 30 minutes. Then remove the coin, take a tooth jerk scarp the greenish tinge left on your coin, slowly the greenish thing would go away. I personally experiment,i dont suggest cleaning of coins anyway, but I do think of restoring a coin by some means.
warm wishes.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Since, with coins of little value, it is possible to go down the track of experimentation.
The foam material is an organic, and so therefore may respond to gentle heat.
Try boiling the coins in the distilled water. Some plastic materials respond favourably to this; others don't. The residual foam material may prove then to be more easily removed.
Verdi Care may be helpful after this treatment to remove the green tinge. As mentioned on other threads, some nickel as well as copper compounds are green.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
please dont use acetone, do you use soap water, allow the coin to soak in the soap water for about 30 minutes. Then remove the coin, take a tooth jerk scarp the greenish tinge left on your coin, slowly the greenish thing would go away. I personally experiment,i dont suggest cleaning of coins anyway, but I do think of restoring a coin by some means.
warm wishes.
As usual not a good idea. There are a fantastic amount of different soaps on Earth. Same with water. The soap you choose may well do more damage than good. For example a brand called Lava is so abrasiive it could well ruin the coin completely. Some dishsoaps may create discolorations. Some waters are from wells and contain just about anything on Earth. In most cities and/or large communities, the tap water is full of Chlorine or Fluorine and both are not good for coins. Actually such water should not be used for watering plants either. Next never attempt to scrape or dig off contaminates with tooth picks or other sharp items since you could well create scratches all over the ooins. The boiling in hot water is OK if it is with distilled water and not really boiled but just heated a little. And Acetone will not effect the metal of the coin at all. Just always make sure you rinse with distilled water after. |
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Valued Member
United States
255 Posts |
I must second just carls words. You should do significant research before applying any foreign materials to any coins. Just b/c a coin is not worth much today doesn't mean in thirty years that will still hold true.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
535 Posts |
True - but as it is right now, its not worth anything at all.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
just carl has made a good point with soaps. Some soaps are pH neutral, but the tendency is for them to be alkaline, say to about pH 9. The reason for this is for the alkalinity to attack grease or oil in normal domestic cleaning, as well as (mainly) to dissolve grease or oil.
Soap molecules are bipolar and are designed to dissolve into oil / grease at one end of the molecule, and water at the other. The alkalinity, provides it is only VERY mildly corrosive, is to actually react chemically with the grease / oil, turning into a soap, rather than just to dissolve it.
Alkaline soaps and detergents would not be recommended for cleaning coins.
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,441 |
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Posted 12/24/2010 6:07 pm
