When one purchases loose coins from a coin dealer, they are usually placed in a vinyl flip so that they don't get scratched in the commute from the store to one's collection. The problem however, is that many of the coins purchased this way remain in the vinyl flip to protect them. Unfortunately, these vinyl flips do not protect coins, but rather damage them. They have a chemical in them that artificially discolors the surface by slowly corroding the metal over time. These coins have a bland green sheen which doesn't look natural.
In the back of most coin shops, there exists a chemistry lab where coins are doctored up to make them more appealing to an unsuspecting buyer. One chemical, which is a staple in these chemistry labs, is acetone. Acetone will dissolve the green damage off the surface of the coin without readily eliminating the frosty mint luster seen in many silver coins. It does however have solvent properties which will also clean a coin, and remove it's patina. Grading companies are becoming very picky that one must use acetone with great care.
In the video below, one can see how acetone removes the PVC damage from the surface of a coin. I demonstrate how an uncirculated coin will retain its luster, whereas heavily circulated coins will end up being cleaned by the acetone that they will loose their patina. This doesn't mean that it is impossible to use acetone on a heavily circulated coin. One can use a cotton swab and painstakingly roll it over the higher areas of the surface, where the damage is more prevalent. Of course not all cotton swabs can be used since acetone dissolves plastic.
In the back of most coin shops, there exists a chemistry lab where coins are doctored up to make them more appealing to an unsuspecting buyer. One chemical, which is a staple in these chemistry labs, is acetone. Acetone will dissolve the green damage off the surface of the coin without readily eliminating the frosty mint luster seen in many silver coins. It does however have solvent properties which will also clean a coin, and remove it's patina. Grading companies are becoming very picky that one must use acetone with great care.
In the video below, one can see how acetone removes the PVC damage from the surface of a coin. I demonstrate how an uncirculated coin will retain its luster, whereas heavily circulated coins will end up being cleaned by the acetone that they will loose their patina. This doesn't mean that it is impossible to use acetone on a heavily circulated coin. One can use a cotton swab and painstakingly roll it over the higher areas of the surface, where the damage is more prevalent. Of course not all cotton swabs can be used since acetone dissolves plastic.
No comments:
Post a Comment