Tried electrolysis for the first time
madscientist
Posts: 7
I dug up a wheatie and a 1907 indian head last night, both of which were pretty corroded. The wheatie came out of the solution looking pretty good, but the indian head didn't fair too well. You can still just barely make out what it is. Sorry, no pics. Gotta join the 21st century and get me a digital camera soon. Anyway, I tried the method on several more wheaties I've found recently, as well as the two modern dimes I found the other day. All the wheaties came out looking pretty good, but the dimes have a pinkish hue to them. I changed the solution between coin types, but it could be because the copper wire on the electrode was slightly submerged in the solution. Anyhoo, I can see from my limited experience with electrolysis that it's a great way to clean coins, but you do have to be REALLY careful not to overdo it. By the way, here's an idea you may want to try. I didn't have any alligator clips handy, and I was too lazy and cheap to go out and buy any, so here's the McGyver Method: I just coiled the positive wire around the spoon several times to ensure a good connection on that end. On the coin end, I used a small paper clip. The paper clip ensures that the coin is held firmly but gently in place. You just have to be careful to not get the copper wire wet. I think that is where the pink color on my dimes came from. I'm a novice at this, so if anything I just said is a bad idea, somebody feel free to scold me.
It's a shame that a family can be torn apart by something like a pack of wild dogs.
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Anyway, I tried the method on several more wheaties I've found recently, as well as the two modern dimes I found the other day. All the wheaties came out looking pretty good, but the dimes have a pinkish hue to them. I changed the solution between coin types, but it could be because the copper wire on the electrode was slightly submerged in the solution.
Anyhoo, I can see from my limited experience with electrolysis that it's a great way to clean coins, but you do have to be REALLY careful not to overdo it. By the way, here's an idea you may want to try. I didn't have any alligator clips handy, and I was too lazy and cheap to go out and buy any, so here's the McGyver Method: I just coiled the positive wire around the spoon several times to ensure a good connection on that end.
On the coin end, I used a small paper clip. The paper clip ensures that the coin is held firmly but gently in place. You just have to be careful to not get the copper wire wet. I think that is where the pink color on my dimes came from. I'm a novice at this, so if anything I just said is a bad idea, somebody feel free to scold me.
Never thought of the paper clip.May give it a try.
Al
<< <i>as well as the two modern dimes I found the other day. All the wheaties came out looking pretty good, but the dimes have a pinkish hue to them. I changed the solution between coin types, but it could be because the copper wire on the electrode was slightly submerged in the solution. >>
Madscientist, the reason they turned pink is because of the composition of modern clad coinage.
Clad dimes, quarters, half-dollars, and dollars are produced from three layers of metal fused together. The outer layers are the same alloy used for nickels(75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel), and the core is copper. Most folks don't normally zap clad coins. I spin them in my rock tumbler for a while and they clean up pretty decently.
"Madscientist, the reason they turned pink is because of the composition of modern clad coinage.
Clad dimes, quarters, half-dollars, and dollars are produced from three layers of metal fused together. The outer layers are the same alloy used for nickels(75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel), and the core is copper. "
Thanks for the info. Actually, that possibility hit me after my original post, but I wasn't sure of the composition of the modern dime. Thanks for clarifying that for me.
"Most folks don't normally zap clad coins. I spin them in my rock tumbler for a while and they clean up pretty decently."
I guess I got carried away. I started zapping everything in site just to see what would happen.
A tinkerer with electrolysis is certainly worthy of the "madscientist" title.
Say, you aren't phut in disguise, are you? That's his old trademark "Space Bunny" critter icon.
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A tinkerer with electrolysis is certainly worthy of the "madscientist" title.
Say, you aren't phut in disguise, are you? That's his old trademark "Space Bunny" critter icon. >>
No, afraid I don't know phut. I just discovered this site a few days ago when I noticed the link on the PCGS site I was checking out.
I think he's been offline lately- traveling. In fact, he's due for a visit down here, soon. I look forward to meeting him.
Glad you're here- a mad scientist is always good to have around, and the more folks who visit here, the merrier it is!