*Dipping*Dipping*Dipping*Dipping*Dipping*Dipping*

XpipedreamR

With all this talk about dipping, I'm wondering what is a good dipping solution, and where does one obtain it. My coin store doesn't sell any of this stuff. They mentioned Jewel Luster as being something I could try, but they didn't really know where I could get any. Is this an acidic solution, and are silver dips generally acidic? Does anyone know what acid these contain, and in what concentration?


I guess that one uses a separate type of solution for copper coins? What about nickels? Silver nickels? Clad coins? Gold coins?


What is MS70? Isn't it more of a detergent? Can you use that on all coins? Where do you get it? What does it do?


Acetone can be used on anything, right? What exactly does acetone clean off of coins?


Any good sites on the internet about this stuff? I guess I'm kind of looking for a comprehensive resource to dipping coins.



PS: This is all just for educational purposes, I'm not planning on ruining any good coins. Thank you very, very much!

BillJones

Dipping solution removes oxidized metal. That's how it works. It DOES NOT "restore" the oxidized medal to it previous condition. It removes the "offending" medal.

Also if a coin is deeply toned, dipping it will leave a dull coin. There is just too much "bad stuff" to remove. This is way it's hard to impossible to "fix" AT coins by dipping. Their original surfaces have been damaged by the AT junk, and there is almost always no path of return.

If dipping is done too many times or for too long, you lose metal and mint luster. Dealers describe such coins as "fried."

I've never used MS-70, but from the coins that I have seen that had been "MS-70'd" I'd avoid it. They had a very bright, very fake looking luster.

Shamika

Amen Bill.

MSD61

Again, I am in awe.... I was talking to a coin dealer who has been in the business for over 40 years. This guy is fair and very honest. He was telling my wife and I that during the 60's and 70's everyone wanted their coins to be bright and clean. Old toned or dirty looking coins were not accepted. He was joking that now the rage is for old, oxidized, and corroded coins. It confuses me that to dip or use MS70 is destroying the coin. Yet, it is okay for corrosion to eat this piece of artwork to nothing but that is acceptable???? I find no logic in this. And to think of all the art restoration that has been done to the works of the great artistic master's of the world to preserve it for the future so all could see it. In the coin world these people would be outcasts! Their loupes taken and broken and their slabs confiscated all for the sin of wanting to preserve history. My we are a confusing race are we not?

1jester

If I'm not mistaken, a layer of toning/patina on a coin will actually protect it from other contamination. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

coinbuf

You can purchase many cleaners HERE I've tried MS70 on many kinds of coins with good and bad results. I've found that it does'nt work on copper very well but does work on other types of metals well.

BillJones

<< <i>If I'm not mistaken, a layer of toning/patina on a coin will actually protect it from other contamination. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

>>



Given proper storage toning does help to preserve an old coin. Contrary to comments that I have read elsewhere, toned coins, don't continue to get worse if they properly stored.

I prefer NOT to dip coins if it can be avoided. Unfortuntely there are a lot of collectors who ONLY want "white" silver coins. If they collect the older pieces quite often ALL they can buy are dipped coins. I almost never dip coins. I prefer them in thier natual state, but you can't always get what you want.

There are other collectors who want only toned coins. Since many pieces have been dipped that's why we see AT coins sometimes. We also have foolish collectors IMO who want new coins that are beautifully toned. This is another reason to produce AT coins.

I wish people would leave coins alone, but when you are business you have find what they want within limits. Therefore I'll sell dipped coins, but I will not handle an AT piece unless it is marked as such. Beyond that there is not much I can do about the situation. I can try to advise collectors, but sadly most of them ignore my advice.

Newmismatist

<< <i>Again, I am in awe.... I was talking to a coin dealer who has been in the business for over 40 years. This guy is fair and very honest. He was telling my wife and I that during the 60's and 70's everyone wanted their coins to be bright and clean. Old toned or dirty looking coins were not accepted. He was joking that now the rage is for old, oxidized, and corroded coins. It confuses me that to dip or use MS70 is destroying the coin. Yet, it is okay for corrosion to eat this piece of artwork to nothing but that is acceptable???? I find no logic in this. And to think of all the art restoration that has been done to the works of the great artistic master's of the world to preserve it for the future so all could see it. In the coin world these people would be outcasts! Their loupes taken and broken and their slabs confiscated all for the sin of wanting to preserve history. My we are a confusing race are we not? >>



MSD61 - it's a matter of degree - 2 Aspirins will cure a headache, 10 will make you quite sick and more will kill you. That's kinda what toning is - a little "tarnish" in the right place, right thickness, may make a coin absolutely drop dead gorgeous, a little more makes it dark but still nice, a lot makes it black and ugly. Same is true with restoration of art - a little judicious restoration done by an expert can make something that's not so pretty look quite nice, improper restoration doen by someone who doesn't know what they're doing can irretrievably ruin a masterpiece - one need only read about the past "restorations" of Leonardo's "The Last Supper" to fully understand what a botched job can do to a masterpiece.

1jester

I'm with you 100% Bill. Of the dozens of thousands of coins I've owned, I've never dipped even one. I have used MS70 on a few dozen, however, in an attempt either to stabilize them or remove some damaging crud. It rarely helps the looks of them, though. I have had to use acetone on many many coins in order to remove residue from PVC. All too often, it's too late though.

I cringe at the thought of how many coins are being harmed--forever taking away from the future reserves of coins for collectors.

wjd283

TTT.I have ms 70 ,jewelluster, and ezest coin cleaner.I've used jewelluster and it does'nt do much.The ms 70 directions say to rub the coin w/a q-tip so I hav'ent used it yet.The ezest coin cleaner is pretty wicked
in the fact that it smells like liquid drano,but you don't have to "rub" the coin and it's for gold silver and copper.Works decent if you follow instructions.I would'nt use any of them on a high dollar coin though.

Newmismatist

<< <i>jewelluster and ezest coin cleaner . . .The ezest coin cleaner is pretty wicked in the fact that it smells like liquid drano,but you don't have to "rub" the coin and it's for gold silver and copper.Works decent if you follow instructions. I would'nt use any of them on a high dollar coin though. >>



Don't use any of them on copper - you'll end up with some pretty Fugly - dipped out coins for sure - best not to dip any copper with anything acidic - unless you're planning on soldering it to something

Skipper53

I have never and will never dip a coin. However-
I will use acetone to clean organic dirt such as oil,
tar, bubblegum, etc.
Acetone won't affect the metal or even the toning
on a coin.
It's a very volatile solvent and very flammable. Use caution
and ventilation.


Skipper
.

Compa

A bit of info on cleaning various types of coins ... link