New purchase before and after treatment with acetone

IloiloKano

Yesterday I received my latest purchase, which was as advertised having PVC contamination, but which I believed from viewing the pictures was in better condition than the seller's advertised "strong EF". Upon receiving the coin, I immediately photographed it, then placed it in an acetone bath to remove both the obvious visible green PVC contamination as well as what I believed was likely an overall light contamination that gave it a muddy appearance. I then photographed the coin again in as close to original lighting conditions as I could manage. (I have not adjusted the images except to rotate and re-size them.)

I was quite pleased with the results, and I now believe the coin is actually a strong AU, which makes my $12.77 total purchase a very good buy for a coin worth more on the order of $50+. Though I already own this coin graded by PCGS as MS64BN, I simply can't pass up such an opportunity for a semi-key coin.

I sent off an email to the seller asking him why he didn't treat the coin to an acetone bath before he put it up for auction. He replied, "I'm not very good with restoration especially for copper coins (almost always ruin it) and it was from a pile of coins I bought that has pretty much paid for itself already."

Guys, it's not that hard.

Before Acetone Treatment


After Acetone Treatment

TwoKopeiki

Great post, Iloilo

Acetone IS your friend. Especially for PVC spots and other surface contamination.

wybrit

Very nice - the only way to clean!

Hussulo

Wow that is remarkable. It almost looks like a different coin. The dipping has brought out a lot of detail on the coin that must have been covered by gunk.

JCMhouston

Good job, you have definately saved that coin.

grip

The green(PVC) was removed with only using acetone?

olmanjon

I can understand the question of the previous post. I think it stems from a misconception. PVC contamination is soft and slimy and will give a haze over the coin. This is easily removed by acetone. However-the green crud that we see on a lot of copper coins is actually acidic coorosian(sp?) like rust is an oxidation of steel. It actually eats into the surface of the coin. Acetone will not help those coins.
Olmanjon

If you look at the bottom of the reverse you can see the start of the coorosion. After the acetone treatment you can still see a little of it on the "I"

IloiloKano

<< <i>The green(PVC) was removed with only using acetone? >>



Yes, acetone was the only thing used on this coin, other than a couple cotton balls and a bamboo spear to reach into the tighter spaces around the letters.

TheBigB

Wow, great job.

questor54

Nice work.