Can this be salvaged???

ozzysdad47

This 1953 G.B. Proof Set has been stored for many year's, It's the Red Box set. While the coin's don't appear to have this "Green Sleaze" on them, When you look directly at them they look pretty good. However when i scanned the coin..... YIKE'S..... Do i leave it as is, or is there something i can do to stop any further damage to the coin's that won't affect value worse than it has already?

Thank's, ozzysdad47

ajaan

You can try pure acetone, not nail polish remover which is usually pure. I don't believe it will harm a coin in anyway, but you may want to get other opinions. Just make sure it air dries.

7Jaguars

Watch out on the cleaning of these copper-nickel proof pieces - anything besides acetone and mild soap & water could be disastrous, even lemon juice or vinegar which are mildly acidic and can sometimes strip cra- off but may leave the ubiqitous brown with streaks. I generally advise people to run from the 1950-53 sets if they have been exposed to water or have surface issues.

Good luck with these.

One last thing: DO NOT DIP!!!!!!This will be disastrous in the long run for such coins.

lordmarcovan

What 7jaguars said.

Acetone is worth a try, but proof coins have very delicate surfaces and can make conservation a rather nightmarish proposition.

NO rubbing or scrubbing!

ozzysdad47

Thank's to all that replied, I have pure acetone, But i am leary of using it, But if LordM say's it's cool, I'll give it a try...

IloiloKano

Everything that I've read regarding acetone indicates that it will not react with metal, not even tarnished silver, so for cleaning what appears to be PVC from your coin, it should be okay. However, use it in a well ventilated area, since it evaporate very quickly, and it is very hazardous to living breathing things.

Typically, I use it for removing such things, but I do so in conjunction with a cotton swab to absorb the acetone and dissolved gunk. But I wouldn't think of using a cotton swab on a proof coin, so you might require several applications to get it all off without using a swab.

I've heard that NCS uses acetone to remove PVC damage.

If you still cannot get it off, and if you are willing to invest about $60, buy an ultrasonic cleaner.

Rio Grande Dig. Ultrasonic Cleaner #336-338, catalog list $59.95, 800-545-6566

ozzysdad47

Thank's IloilKano,
I certainly don't want to touch the surface with anything i don'r have too. It's a beautiful coin. I hadn't even thought about it in sometime, Til i saw a post on here about a toner they had for about 3 grand............ I fussed about the price when i got it, But , Now i have found out from Farthing , That the Wren Farthing was worth what i paid, And the box is in excellent condition. I can't afford a ultrasonic cleaner at this point.


Thank you for your post,
Brad....

7Jaguars

I do not think coins should SOAK in acetone as after it dries some of the dissolved residue may redeposit on the surface of the coin, not to mention possible dissolved compounds from the surface of the container this solution was in.

I tend to tamp mine with a CLEAN white cotton hi nap towel...