A couple of questions about PVC on copper

clw54

If left untreated for a long time, does it damage the coin?

Is it easily visible?

clw54

Anybody?

mozeppa

yes it will do damage on copper...

acetone and a lightly used q-tip may help if its not gone too far .


sometimes its there but only lightly ...this makes it hard to see ....but it will grow.


using the above cleaning method yields pretty good results ...but if you see a lot of green ...some times it can be hopeless.

clw54

Thanks, Mozeppa.

Oney

Put it in a jar of acetone and let it sak. This will help neutralize the PVC. If it doesn't, then I would suggest using the Q-Tip method mentioned above.

BAJJERFAN

PVC isn't neutralized; it is removed. the acetone dissolves it off of the coin. You need to rinse the coin with fresh acetone after you soak it. PVC will appear as a pale green substance somewhat lighter in color than mint ice cream and not dark like a Christmas tree. This is due to the formation of cuprous chloride from copper coins or from silver coins that cointain copper like Morgans. The sticky tacky substance often associated with PVC contamination is dioctyl or dinonyl phthalate; a plasticizer used to soften PVC [which is normally brittle] and make it pliable and useful. Coins like silver eagles stored in soft PVC flips may get a milky haze to them.