Haze on SAE's

mhammerman

My silver eagles (in an album) are developing a haze. These coins and album were given to me by my wife years ago for Christmas and she updates it each year. They are MS but just normal quality coins. It actually brought me back to coin collecting after I exited in '92. These coins are more valuable to than the numismatic/bullion value and they are precious but that haze is starting to bother me and it is getting worse. Is there any conservation I can do that will not in any way alter the surface or damage the luster?

wam98

Is this a Dansco album ?

mhammerman

I cant say because I dont know the maker of the album but it is the kind with a hole in the pages with a plastic slip that slides over the front and another on back of the page to hold the coin in.

wam98

Does the album look like brown leather ?

Baley

A quick dip in 50/50 ezest/water, and then stabilize in pure IPA or acetone, dry thoroghly, and you're all set.

F117ASR

And then buy airtites so that nothing else every happens to them

mhammerman

Yes, it looks like brown leather. EZIEST is a total mystery to me where do you find it and what is it? and thanks so very much for y'all's input.

Baley

It's DIP!

A quick search on eBay returned this, there may be other places to get it too

TUMUSS

stev32k

I recommend something called trisodiumphoshpate (TSP). You can buy it at just about any paint store or dept. It is used for cleaning before painting. Use 1 tablespoon of TSP and 8 oz of hot (125-130 degree) water. Let the coin set in the solution for 10 - 15 minutes then rinse with water. Distilled water is best but tap water will also work. Pat the coin dry - don't rub. It will look like it just came from the mint.

The TSP will remove haze, dirt, fingerprints, and even PVC residue. It will not remove natural toning and it will not give the coin an un-natural looking polish or shine. It restores original mint luster, but does not remove any metal. I've used it on badly hazed over proofs and uncirculated silver coins and they come out looking great.

clackamas

If I were you I would leave the haze for now and see if the substances don't produce some nice natural toning over time. If you want to remove it then solutions that work have been stated.

mhammerman

Well, thanks again! I am grateful for y'all's expertise and assistance. Thanks for the advice on toning, not a real fan of the fad, still like my silver to be silver. I have a couple of MS Tx. state qtrs so I will test these recommendations and offer some feed-back after I have completed my experiments.