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What is this green stuff on my pennies?

harbonharbon Posts: 59
in U.S. Coin Forum
I have a large collection of pennies that my grandfather gave me. I've noticed on a lot of them a sort of greenish residue on their surface.

Here is a picture of one such coin:

image

I burned the image in photoshop to make the residue a bit clearer.

So... what is it? Thanks.

Comments

  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    When I first read the title of this thread, I thought it said "What is this green stuff on my pen_s?"

    image
    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • red68red68 Posts: 40
    Looks like copper rust to me same as you see on copper pipes.
  • 100proof1957100proof1957 Posts: 6,231 ✭

    LOL !

    its either vertigris or corrosion,could also be PVC damage
    image
  • harbonharbon Posts: 59
    The pennies have been in a sack for many years in a poorly circulated basement, but not in PVC holders, if that helps any image
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,268 ✭✭✭✭✭
    its verdigris
    theknowitalltroll;
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Sell them to Marty. He collects green Lincolns. image

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • RotatedRainbowsRotatedRainbows Posts: 2,085 ✭✭


    << <i>Sell them to Marty. He collects green Lincolns. image

    Russ, NCNE >>



    Only if he can submit them and they come back AU58!!!
  • harbonharbon Posts: 59
    Okay, is there any way to clean it off? Or is it permanent?
  • ccrdragonccrdragon Posts: 2,697 ✭
    If it's verdigris or copper rust - no. Removal of the green will leave rather large pits in the surface of the coins.

    Sadly, it looks like verdigris to me. image
    Cecil
    Total Copper Nutcase - African, British Ships, Channel Islands!!!
    'Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup'
  • harbonharbon Posts: 59
    Ah, thats a shame.

    Can it spread from one coin to another?
  • LAWMANLAWMAN Posts: 1,274 ✭✭
    snot. use a handkerchief next time.
    DSW
  • MadMonkMadMonk Posts: 3,743 ✭


    << <i>snot. use a handkerchief next time. >>



    geshundheit1
    Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    that cent's hurtin bad.image
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • Catch22Catch22 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭
    Verdigris is caused from improper storage (high humidity). It doesn't spread from one coin to the next like a disease, but if one has it then the high humidity conditions exist to damage all of them.


    When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.

    Thomas Paine
  • kenoshapetekenoshapete Posts: 205
    No fooling, try KoolAid... let them soak in it. That's what we use in the Navy to keep the firestations clean from vertigris while at sea.
    KP

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