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Sheikh_yer_BuTay
Penny Pincher Member
USA
232 Posts |
 Posted - 08/07/2010 : 11:30:16
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I just pulled out some coins I collected in the 60's. I have not touched them for about 30 years now. Back then, coin shops sold manila paper coin holders. I have many, many coins stored this way.
To my horror, everywhere the coins touched paper is now tarnished black! AAAAAAAAGGHH!!!!
NOW what do I do?? I know I can clean them using hot water, soda, and aluminum foil, but I fear that will clean them too much. The patina will be destroyed and the coins will lose their numismatic value.
HELP!
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stateofmind
Penny Pincher Member
143 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2010 : 12:44:09
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| What kind of coins were tarnished? Are they valuable numismatically or bullion wise? |
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AGCoinHunter
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
685 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2010 : 13:28:17
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| Its the sulpher in the paper I believe that tarnishes the coins. Copper stuff I dont think much can be done for. Silver I think can be dipped in acetone and distilled water after and it might get some of the organic gunk off. Other than that, if its the metal, think its permanantly tarnished. If its bullion grade, you can use something like CLR to try to get it off I believe. |
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wolvesdad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2010 : 16:50:03
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| yeah, more details on the coins, compositions and value category (rare, silver, high grade, etc) |
"May your percentages ever increase!" |
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Sheikh_yer_BuTay
Penny Pincher Member
USA
232 Posts |
 Posted - 08/08/2010 : 09:37:41
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quote:
Originally posted by AGCoinHunter
Its the sulpher in the paper I believe that tarnishes the coins. Copper stuff I dont think much can be done for. Silver I think can be dipped in acetone and distilled water after and it might get some of the organic gunk off. Other than that, if its the metal, think its permanantly tarnished. If its bullion grade, you can use something like CLR to try to get it off I believe.
Thanks AGCoinHunter.
Yeah, I want to remove the black tarnish off the 90%, but still keep the patina to retain the numismatic value.
I guess I will just have to brush up on my old high school chemistry and experiment to see what will work. |
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daviscfad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1664 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2010 : 10:59:25
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| only use acetone. anything else will devalue the coin |
Inquiring minds want to know |
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Sheikh_yer_BuTay
Penny Pincher Member
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2010 : 12:09:52
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quote:
Originally posted by daviscfad
only use acetone. anything else will devalue the coin
It is amazing the great coins you can buy really cheap after they have been cleaned. I have bought EF-40/AU-50 silver dollars at melt value simply because someone didn't know "cleaning" the coins destroyed their value. |
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beauanderos
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2408 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2010 : 12:54:40
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| I think I would still prefer a bright shiny silver half dollar than one that is heavily toned, even by natural processes that cause a variety of colorful effects. If I get ASE's off ebay that have rim toning, I clean them. It's just bullion, and that's the way I like em |
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Edited by - beauanderos on 08/08/2010 12:55:08 |
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rakattack
Penny Pincher Member
105 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2010 : 00:01:47
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| You can dip it... |
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uthminsta
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1872 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2010 : 00:24:03
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| Anyone tried the stuff called MS-70? My local shop cleaned a couple of VERY dark British shillings for me. Didn't remove everything, but made the coin a little more presentable. I've also done this in reverse: some shillings that were harshly cleaned, I put in little manila folders for a while and they retoned a little. Didn't look quite so "bone-white" after a few months. |
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Sheikh_yer_BuTay
Penny Pincher Member
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2010 : 03:05:01
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quote:
Originally posted by uthminsta
Anyone tried the stuff called MS-70? My local shop cleaned a couple of VERY dark British shillings for me. Didn't remove everything, but made the coin a little more presentable. I've also done this in reverse: some shillings that were harshly cleaned, I put in little manila folders for a while and they retoned a little. Didn't look quite so "bone-white" after a few months.
I will try some of that if I can find it. Already bought some acetone, am going to try that, too. |
"The most fiscally irresponsible government in American history."
Mort Zuckerman, liberal columnist and former Obama speech writer |
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Oh, no. Now what do I do???
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