Is this PVC damage?

WhiteTornado · June 8, 2005 11:12AM

I think I already know the answer, but just to be sure, here it is.

Italy 1874-M 5 Lire KM# 8.4

coinkat · June 8, 2005 11:15AM

I believe so... the green areas

WhiteTornado · June 8, 2005 11:17AM

That's what I figured. I have a Great Britain 1931 Florin XF that has some true greenish toning, but that one is more 'metallic' looking, whereas these spots look more neon. Well, at least I have an example to refer to now!

ccrdragon · June 8, 2005 11:20AM

yeppers - bathe the coin in acetone to stop the damage from getting worse....

satootoko · June 8, 2005 2:30PM

<< <i>yeppers - bathe the coin in acetone to stop the damage from getting worse.... >>

Sylvestius · June 8, 2005 3:52PM

Well i had some pictures of some PVC damaged coins lying around somewhere i'll try and find them.

I should have plenty available as i lost alot of my coins to PVC some years back due to the fact that i'd stored my coins in 2x2s in PVC pages in an album. Although my house is so humid that coins in 2x2s sweat and turn funny anyhow, maybe not with PVC but generally with verdigris.

Which is why i bought my coin cabinet (i've had no problems since) and it's also the reason why i stopped collecting modern coins, my 18th century and before coins were not affected. The 20th century proofs copped it first and any low quality silver (i.e .500 rather than Sterling) such as BU 1937 George VI coins...

Steve27 · June 8, 2005 9:07PM

I would describe that as PVC residue; at this point there may not be any actual damage. However, you should get that coin into an acetone bath ASAP.

WhiteTornado · June 8, 2005 10:53PM

I'll probably just make it available as a filler coin for someone. I don't normally collect Italian coins and this one's looks no higher than a grade G anyway.

I did some searches on old threads for "acetone", and it sounds like (1) you'd want to find pure acetone and avoid the stuff at typical hardware stores, and (2) it can be tricky and dangerous to deal with.

ccrdragon · June 8, 2005 11:14PM

The acetone that you buy at Lowes works (I use it regularly). And yes, acetone is highly volitile and the gases are explosive - use it outdoors away from sparks or flame.

Also - check out this guys auctions if you would like some more examples ->

PVC1???
PVC2???
PVC3???
PVC4???

WhiteTornado · June 8, 2005 11:58PM

Not exactly patina

Steve27 · June 9, 2005 12:10AM

"it can be tricky and dangerous to deal with."

Then find a woman to do it for you; they use it to remove fingernail polish all the time.

WhiteTornado · June 9, 2005 12:12AM

Okay, okay, I may just try it after all.

And, I believe fingenail polish remover doesn't contain acetone anymore. There is some substitute in it that does the same trick.

ccrdragon · June 9, 2005 12:58AM

Fingernail polish remover never had a high enough concentrate to worry about - my mom used to routinely smoke while cleaning the polish off here fingernails and I'm pretty sure that if you tried that around pure acetone you'd blow yourself (if not the house) up!

newbiecollector · June 9, 2005 1:03AM

Fingernail polish remover never had a high enough concentrate to worry about - my mom used to routinely smoke while cleaning the polish off here fingernails and I'm pretty sure that if you tried that around pure acetone you'd blow yourself (if not the house) up!

You would..........be careful with that stuff and DO NOT breath it much

Steve27 · June 9, 2005 1:30AM

I have a one-quart can which I bought from Home Depot for a few bucks. It's safe to use in small quantities, even with poor ventilation (i.e. you won't blow yourself up or die of toxic fumes).

crito · June 9, 2005 2:40AM

I know I've posted the explanation here before... but anyway. PVC off-gases hydrogen sulfide (the "shower curtain" smell) which, when combined with moisture in the air, produces sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is extremely corrosive. Reason it often appears as "slime" is because oil is used in the manufacturing of flips, and even the non-PVC kind often have some oily residue inside. Acetone is excellent at removing oils -- it'll turn your fingers dry and white if you dunk them in it. It doesn't remove the corrosion.

Here's a coin before and after an acetone rinse. Notice all the corrosion didn't come off... I had to soak it in mineral oil for several more weeks (and rinse with acetone again) to get all the crusty green stuff off.

Is this PVC damage?

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