Dipped Coins with Brilliant Luster

llafoe · March 20, 2011 1:15AM

I've seen a lot of coins from the 19th century that were blast white with brilliant luster... we all assume Blast White coins are synonymous with a dipped coin. How many times can you properly dip a coin and have the brilliant luster remain?

DoubleEagle59 · March 20, 2011 1:24AM

I would say it depends on the brand of dip and of course in one's method of dipping (how much time the coin is actually in the dip, etc.).

But I would say the coin would still maintain its brilliance with up to 5 dips.

roadrunner · March 20, 2011 1:24AM

Depends on how you define "brilliant."

That 19th century silver or gold type coin can probably be dipped multiple times in a row and still look "brilliant." The thing is, each dipping removes some base metal.
At some point, the luster will look impaired. What's the opposite of "brilliant" luster?......"dull" or "flat." So at some point in that journey the coin looks more flat than
a fully original coin. The more coins you have seen, the easier it is to make that dermination. I see what many dealers call "blast white," and to me those coins look
slightly dulled. They may be white, they may be brilliant with a full cartwheel, but they don't like 100% right. Even a 10-15% dulling of the luster is obvious. I'm assuming
a dipping takes 1-3 seconds and is immediately rinsed.

I'd be surprised if a 19th century coin remained fully brilliant for more than one dip. The inference being that it was toned to begin with to require a dipping. And by toning
the luster has already been dulled by a visible amount. If the 19th century coin came out white and roll fresh, it might be able to withstand a second dipping and still look ok.
Take a fresh white MS61 BU Morgan that came out of a roll and give it some dips.

roadrunner

Frankcoins · March 20, 2011 2:10AM

Many assume that coin dip works by using a strong acid to eat away to fresh metal. That is incorrect
Silver metal does not react with sulfuric acid. The thiourea used in E-z-est and similar products
works by grabbing the sulfur in silver sulfide (tarnish) and releasing it as hydrogen sulfide gas (the rotten
egg smell.) The silver stays on the coin! But eventually, cycles of bond/release/bond/release will
change the ARRANGEMENT of the silver microstructure, thus affecting the LUSTER.

llafoe · March 20, 2011 5:26AM

<< <i>Many assume that coin dip works by using a strong acid to eat away to fresh metal. That is incorrect
Silver metal does not react with sulfuric acid. The thiourea used in E-z-est and similar products
works by grabbing the sulfur in silver sulfide (tarnish) and releasing it as hydrogen sulfide gas (the rotten
egg smell.) The silver stays on the coin! But eventually, cycles of bond/release/bond/release will
change the ARRANGEMENT of the silver microstructure, thus affecting the LUSTER. >>

A coin dealer talking in geek lingo... that should pick up the ladies!