Does anyone know if shield nickels can be dipped?

TheLiberator

I was wondering this because it seems the grading companies go nuts for luster on this series and that they don't care so much about the strike or other details. Can these be dipped to shine right up or is the copper-nickel alloy not the dippin' kind?

Thanks!

cointagious

Do not acid dip nickel. MS70 is an alternative. Pros use cyanide to clean nickel.

291fifth

<< <i>Do not acid dip nickel. MS70 is an alternative. Pros use cyanide to clean nickel. >>



Let hope "pros" take more precautions than J. Sanford Saltus.

paigowjohnny

Can you dip...sure
Should you dip...H&LL NO !!

TheLiberator

<< <i>

<< <i>Do not acid dip nickel. MS70 is an alternative. Pros use cyanide to clean nickel. >>



Let hope "pros" take more precautions than J. Sanford Saltus. >>



Who? Sorry...

nwcs

You can dip nickel coins with thiourea but it doesn't come out like you'd expect.

Shamika

J. Sanford Saltus

291fifth

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Do not acid dip nickel. MS70 is an alternative. Pros use cyanide to clean nickel. >>



Let hope "pros" take more precautions than J. Sanford Saltus. >>



Who? Sorry... >>



J. Sanford Saltus was a very prominent early 20th century numismatist. I believe the ANS has an award named for him. In any case, Mr. Saltus, as was apparently common practice at the time, was using cyanide to clean some coins and/or medals. He also had a glass of water nearby. He apparently picked up the wrong glass and drank cyanide instead of the intended water. He died as a result of the mistake.

Shamika

291fifth is correct.

Cyanide was (and sometimes still is) used to clean metal surfaces and to prepare metal for plating.

In case anyone is interested, cyanide is so leathal that just putting a large sip into your mouth (no swallowing necessary) will kill you in minutes. It can even be absorbed through the skin.

BAAAAAD STUFF. MESS YOU UP!

Conder101

The fumes it gives off while reacting with the metal of the coin are also deadly. People here on the forum often warn about acetone fumes, well on a hazardous scale of 1 to 10 water is a 1, acetone is a 2, cyanide is a 9 or 10.

nankraut

GULP!