Electrolysis Outcomes Opinions Needed Please

MJPHELAN

Hi Everyone,

We have tried electrolysis on another coin (we had good success on a Roman coin). We did not get very good results.

Here are the before photos:





Here are the after photos after about 30 minutes of electrolysis (no brushing or other treatments)






We also have another coin with different surface deposits. Do you think electrolysis will be
more successful with this coin?




Any input you may have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Mark

woodardcoin

The roman coin you did was more than likely bronze ?? This is silver and different metals react very different to electrolysis . The 2nd coin you want to try I would not due to the outcome of the first. JMHO

JP

JoesMaName

I'm surprised the electrolysis actually added discoloration to the portrait and second pillar...
Interesting - do you have other before and after shots? Seems like a great thread topic.

7Jaguars

Interesting. I had a poor result with an 1886 GB halfcrown using electrolysis but have had some great results on copper and bronze of 19th and 20th C., the only caveat is that the copper may develop a red with a very slight purplish tint.

I am not sure why silver occasionally does not do well. It may have to do with salts used or current or both. What do you use for your power source? I have used a cell phone charger with the two electrodes stripped and a hoop electrode to go around the perimeter of the coin.

MJPHELAN

We use a 9V power source with attached alligator clips. The salt concentration is probably high as there is some undissolved salt in the water (lower concentrations did not yield good current).

Mark

MJPHELAN

The added discoloration is the reason we stopped. Some of the debris on the reverse is thinner and loose. It looks like it could be wiped off, but we did not want to damage the coin.

Mark

newbiecollector

<< <i>The added discoloration is the reason we stopped. Some of the debris on the reverse is thinner and loose. It looks like it could be wiped off, but we did not want to damage the coin.

Mark >>



Well be careful Mark, electrolysis by its' very nature will damage metal.

7Jaguars

I sometimes will use this in conjunction with lemon juice soak. Mild detergent with finger application and plenty water afterward is OK also...

MrEureka

Is this helpful?

rec78

I have only used electolysis on old Greek and Roman copper coins with limited success. I do not think that it will work well on silver coins. You may need to use different anode metals. Copper coin electrolysis requires (at least in my experience) that one anode be of copper(the one holding the coin), and the other stainless steel for good results. There may be different requirements for good results on silver coins if possible. Is there a chemist in the house? JMO. Bob

MJPHELAN

"Is this helpful?"

That's an interesting link. Has anyone tried electrolysis with Sodium Hydroxide? I wonder what concentration would work best?

My backround is biology. I would love to have some input from any chemists out there.

Mark