PVC DAMAGED MORGANS

MJH

Can anyone explain to me how to remove PVC off of Morgan Dollars,
With out being considered CLEANED.
I just looked at my 1888-0 Hot LIps in XF 40 And the 1878 8TF VAM 19
XF 40 With the Double Eagle Beak. They have been in those poly slips
When I purchased them. I just looked at them a month ago and I did not
notice any light green on them.

nepbrs44

Acetone

K6AZ

If the PVC has not eaten into the surface, pure acetone will remove it safely with no harm to the coins. If the PVC has got into the surface, the acetone will stop it but the damage will be done. Soak the coins overnight in the acetone in a well ventilated are away from any flames or heat sources. The pure industrial grade that you can buy in pints or gallons in any hardware store will work fine.

K6AZ

I had forgotten about a large group of Washington quarters I had for years, still in the flips. I lost about half of them. Here is a scan of a 48-S Washington that was a MS66, reduced to melt value. The discoloration you see are thousands of tiny pits on the surface caused by the PVC. This image was taken after I removed the active PVC with acetone.

MJH

Thanks I will try that tonight.

K6AZ

OK, let us know how it goes. By the way, if you have a lady around, do not use finger nail polish remover. It has a lot more than just acetone in it, and has been known to discolor coins.

K6AZ

I guess I should add one more thing: Do not rub the coins in any way, with a Q tip or anything else. The acetone will dissolve the PVC without any agitation. If you try to use even the softest Q tip, you could leave hairlines on the surface of your coin.

MJH

After they soak overnight ,Do I rinse them off with water or something.

K6AZ

If you are concerned about rinsing, you can use distilled water. However, since acetone is a neutral solvent, it will completely evaporate in seconds. I don't rinse mine, I just let the acetone evaporate. Some people are bothered by this and rinse.

MJH

Pulled the two Morgans out at 6:00 am before work. And put on a paper towel.
Got home at 8:00 pm put them in Eagle holders and looked at them
with a 10 X and they look OK . Being they were both XF 40 they Had
some surface scratches , They look as good as I remembered.
But without any green scum.
Thanks K 6 A Z, I appreciate the help.

K6AZ

Great! I'm glad to hear this. You caught the PVC before it started etching into the surface. One thing I neglected to mention is that the lighter shade of green on the PVC film, the easier it will come off without damage to the coin. Once it turns to a very dark green, your coin is toast.