Anybody Know Anything About "Blue Ribbon" Coin Conditioner?

Pushkin

I looked at some Indian Head cents yesterday that the owner told me they had been "conditioned" with Blue Ribbon. The coins looked great, but they appeared to have a shine to them that screamed "oil". Anybody know anothing about the stuff - is it considered an OK cleaner/conditioner for copper or a form of AT? I didn't buy the coins because I'm concerned about the nature of the stuff and what it does to the patina (coins did look nice - but a litle "strange").

littlewicher

I haven't ever used it before.Link

ModMan

Just dip them in motor oil.

BigD5

It's good to use on copper, as it won't harm the surface, and will soak into the "crud" that can be left in the tiny devices or denticles, and allow them to be removed safely. I've never had a copper bagged that had been "treated" with Blue Ribbon. I do wash the coins with liquid soap and water afterwards to remove the oily residue. No miracles with the stuff, but it is safe for copper coins. I use it on nickel and silver coins also, but mostly copper. You should be able to pick the stuff up locally for under $5.

lathmach

It's good. Use a Q-Tip and "roll" on a light film. Protects the coins from corrosion.
It's no longer made, but is still available on Ebay and at a lot of coin dealers. Runs about $7 a bottle.

Ray

mnmcoin

There is actually two formulas for this stuff. The first one is not made any more due to the EPA banning the HCFC in it. The second batch was concocted I guess about a year or so ago, with a different HCFC in it. I bought a case back in March for $99 I think...it has 24 bottles in it, and works wonders on older copper, circ stuff mostly. I doesn't really disturb the color, unless you use it on a MS coin, then it does leave a oily kinda weird look to it.

morris <><

lordmarcovan

I like Blue Ribbon and see nothing wrong with it at all, but have found that Vaseline, applied and then removed, is a cheaper way of removing loose grime from a copper coin's surface without affecting its color. Better Blue Ribbon or Vaseline than something more permanent, like the lacquer that some of the Old School collectors used.

(Edit: I am also referring to old circulated copper, not red Mint State stuff. I'd be scared to put anything on a red MS copper for fear of "turning" it.)