How hard is it to distinguish a dip on silver?

Ogden

I recently dipped my first coins. Got them back from a grading service and they said PVC. Can a reputable grading company detect a dipping in acetone, which is what I used. I was careful and only let the coin sit for awhile.

Ogden

STEWARTBLAYNUMIS

Ogden

Why did you dip the coin in acetone and for how long?

stewart

Russ

Ogden,

If they BB'd them for PVC, that has nothing to do with the dipping. Properly dipped will never result in a body bag.

Russ, NCNE

Blackhawk

I have yet to have a problem when using acetone on silver coins. It will remove any PVC, tar, and oil (including fingerprint oil) if it has not started to tone or eat it's way into the coins surface. I have not had any original toning effected by it either, however I have heard of AT coins that were stripped of toning when given a acetone bath.

I think that dipping generally refers to removing undesireable or unattractive toning with jewelustre or like products. Although it is supposed to be more gentle, some will also add MS-70 to the list of "dips".

coppercoins

<< <i>Properly dipped will never result in a body bag. >>



I agree a thousand percent, save one caveat....

Properly dipped will never result in a body bag UNLESS there was already a problem with the coin.

sinin1

Don't have any green spots on the PVC coins do you?

Another possibility is the flip you sent the coin in for submission may be the soft PVC type - if coin still a little moist may have started new reaction -> economy submissions up towards 50+ days, this could possibly have occurred.

Ogden

No green spots. I dipped both coins for about twenty minutes, then looked agains and saw that not all the PVC came off, so I dipped them again. I think the longest they stayed in the acetone was about three hours. I'm still not convinced that all the PVC is off the coins but I am afriad to keep them in the solution too long.

Thanks for all the replies

Ogden

redhott

Ogden
I'm not aware that only submerging a coin in acetone will remove PVC, I was under the impression that since PVC is binding itself to the metal, some minimal physical activity is usually needed, as well. Your coin sits in acetone for three hours?????? How are you doing that? In a closed container of some sort, I hope!! Otherwise we'll soon be reading your obituary. By the way, submerging in acetone is not generally accepted to be dipping.

nwcs

Acetone does not react with metal. It is a non-polar organic solvent. Very effective. I bet the reason your coin was bagged was because the PVC left scars on the coin's surface that became visible after the contaminants were removed.

Ogden

I actually did not submit the coins after using the acetone. I put the coins in an old jelly jar (with the top on). Didn't take me too long to realize the fumes weren't cologne. So what you all are saying is that you also have to do some scrubbing. I did a little of that with que tips. Not harshly! I also swirled the acetone by rotating the jar.

Would there be any problems leaving the coins in the acetone overnight? I did not see any evidence of burrow type marks after dipping the coin so I don't think that the PVC damaged the coin. I really want to make sure the coins are PVC free before submitting them again. Any further suggestions?

Thanks all

Ogden

sinin1

soaking overnight should not be a problem

PVC bodybag could have been caused by pits in the coin or the smell (like a new shower curtain)

I would be reluctant to do much q-tipping but depends on extent of problem - possibly pressure flow (can you get a small syringe and needle)? - diabetics usually have them - can possibly blast off problem

The fumes haven't killed me, keep on a fan and don't smoke

Make sure you are using pure acetone (can get at paint area in hardware store) and not nail polish remover which has contaminants that will give your coin an artificial color/residue

oreville

For PVC problem attempt a little mineral oil and let it soak. It might take weeks, even months. You may have to dab a oil soaked q-swab aggressively at the pvc spots several times to attempt to get underneath it without harming the surface of the coin any more.

Acetone will rinse the mineral oil off nicely or just simply sqeeze dry numerous times with a very soft cotton based tissue. Do NOT rub.

I have gotten PVC laden coins slabbed by PCGS as the mineral oil managed to dilute the PVC into a soupy green oil then after multiple rinses weakened the PVC down so much that I was successful in avoiding the damage to the underlying surface.