Is acetone ok for $20 Liberty gold coin dip?
Herb_T
Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭✭✭
Before I send off some $20 gold coins for grading I would like to get off anything on them. Acetone ok?
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Acetone doesn't react with metal or toning. It will only remove adhered organics (many, but not all organics). The risk is that the organics may be hiding something underneath, such as uneven toning (not a huge risk on gold), or corrosion.
However, if you just want to give them a quick rinse to remove any potential PVC plasticizer residue, it shouldn't be a problem. Make sure you use clean acetone.
I see no problem with Acetone!
And careful with the tongs and what you lay the coins on after the dip. Good luck. Peace Roy
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Acetone doesn’t affect the metal but it will strip the layers of age (grease, dirt, oils) off of the surface. That patina will be affected and one dimensional after that which may be preferred to the original surfaces if contaminated. That said most dealers can tell when a coin has been treated with paint thinner.
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Acetone will not harm the coin.... What the surface may look like under the removed organics may be ok or may not be. Proper acetone soak and rinse will leave no signs, other than what may have been caused by the contamination. Cheers, RickO
I would leave the coins as they are unless there are obvious signs of PVC... Enhanced gold is just not a good look.
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Acetone on gold should be fine. Gold isn't very reactive, but the 10% copper it's mixed with is. The only downside I see is if there's corrosion underneath toning or dirt... acetone is very good at dissolving organic material on the surface only to reveal problems underneath. If there are no obvious patches of dirt or minimal toning... I see little downside to acetone... just don't scrub!!
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Can we see some before pics of your coins? Many collectors like the look of and appreciate the originality of crusty old gold.
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