I hate it when I think I know something and then I find out I don't - MS70 on copper ....

JeffersonFrog

I'm certain I've read on these Boards MS70 can be used as a gentle cleaner without harm to the coin. I also recall there are some who believe at a microscopic level MS70 does alter a coin's surface. I've used MS70 on nickels many times, and have a feel for what it does to the coin.

Today, I had some uncirculated BN Lincoln cents that I was about to throw in the Coin Club door prize pile. Instead, I decided to try MS70 on them, the first time I've done so. The results were astonishing. The coins are BN, but they are pretty. The orange, purple and blue tones make them look like they were doctored. Were they?

bolivarshagnasty

It's an argument we've had on these boards for years. There are believers on both sides of the fence. My opinion is that you have doctored the coins with a chemical. Others will argue that those colors were on the coin and when you removed any oils or surface contaminants you revealed natural colors. What do you think??

Walkerguy21D

I think in your innocent effort to conserve them, they wound up doctored. But I agree, usually the results are attractive, even if unnatural.

jesbroken

I would not send any copper in with those tones, as I feel sure they would be rejected as QA. We didn't see any before photos, but if they are different then these are doctored.
Jim

coinbuf

MS70 is safe and will not harm silver and to a lesser extent nickel, but with toned or older copper you will almost always end up with blue and purple colors. This does not bother the TPG's and they will a majority of the time slab these no questions no problem. MS70 on a brand new Lincoln will also usually have no effect or color change, unless there is already some surface contaminates on that new coin.

The fact that ms70 usually has no effect on a new full red copper coin leads me to believe that the MS70 only takes the oils and dirt, dust off the surface and shows the true color underneath, color that was created by a reaction between the environmental contaminates and the copper.

Some will consider this doctoring some will not.

ChrisH821

My experience is that it is fine on red copper, but will turn BN copper colors like you have there.
I've used it on red proof Lincolns with no ill-effect.

jmlanzaf

@coinbuf said:
MS70 is safe and will not harm silver and to a lesser extent nickel, but with toned or older copper you will almost always end up with blue and purple colors. This does not bother the TPG's and they will a majority of the time slab these no questions no problem. MS70 on a brand new Lincoln will also usually have no effect or color change, unless there is already some surface contaminates on that new coin.

The fact that ms70 usually has no effect on a new full red copper coin leads me to believe that the MS70 only takes the oils and dirt, dust off the surface and shows the true color underneath, color that was created by a reaction between the environmental contaminates and the copper.

Some will consider this doctoring some will not.

I'd like to hear the chemical explanation for that. The "oils and dirts" so completely coats the surface that not a hint of blue shows through. And acetone and organic solvents which remove oils and dirt almost never results in a blue color.

MasonG

@jmlanzaf said:

And acetone and organic solvents which remove oils and dirt almost never results in a blue color.

Ammonia does.

LanceNewmanOCC

put it in a 2x2, write the date you ms70ed the coin(s), come back in 12 months.

MsMorrisine

It seems every coin ms70 touches has hidden purple and blue toning

jmlanzaf

@MasonG said:

@jmlanzaf said:

And acetone and organic solvents which remove oils and dirt almost never results in a blue color.

Ammonia does.

That's also aqueous and reactive.

ricko

Those colors are common on BN cents when MS70 is applied... The common reaction I have seen at past coin shows, when people are viewing cents... if it has blue, then "There's and MS70 cent.". Cheers, RickO

scotty4449

I did an experiment with MS70 on 8 Lincoln cents a while back. Most either didn't react much or just looked bad. Below was the most attractive looking result. I can't remember if I did acetone then MS70 or the other way around. I should look for this cent to see what it looks like now.

davewesen

@MsMorrisine said:
It seems every coin ms70 touches has hidden purple and blue toning

It will turn RB and BN, but not much to RD on the wheat cents I practiced with.