Does acetone remove or alter toning?

chipper10

I have a nicely toned coin with some organic material (I think) on the reverse. If I bathe it in acetone will it affect the toning?

Thanks.

123cents

If the toning is legit, I think you will be OK.

PerryHall

<< <i>I have a nicely toned coin with some organic material (I think) on the reverse. If I bathe it in acetone will it affect the toning?

Thanks. >>



I've seen "toned" crusty gold lighten up considerably from a soak in acetone. Most of the toning on many old gold coins is from years of accumulated sweat, body oil, and grime from years of being touched by unwashed hands.

ModernDollarNut

The only toning I've seen easily removed by acetone (and quickly, LOL) is the lovely neon blue and greens on some Ike proofs.

The surface of these coins feels oily (being curious, I experimented with low-grade and not attractive examples) and the slightest physical touch or brush will also wipe away the toning.

This is on the opposite end from "stable" toning which is what finds on classic coins that toned over many months/years/decades.

I should mention the "fogging" one sees on SBA's. I believe PCGS conserves fogged SBA's with an acetone dip and the examples I've sent in over the years for "spot check" all came back with their original toning intact.

Rob

TwoKopeiki

Pure acetone doesn't alter toning. However if there's some chemical residue, dirt, grime, skin oils - it will remove it.

bsshog40

<< <i>Pure acetone doesn't alter toning. However if there's some chemical residue, dirt, grime, skin oils - it will remove it. >>


Agreed. I've never seen acetone remove toning unless the toning is actually some sort of colored film from something.

WingedLiberty1957

acetone can change or alter the toning/color on proof copper

but not on silver

TwoKopeiki

<< <i>acetone can change or alter the toning/color on proof copper

but not on silver >>



Why would acetone change toning on proof copper?

WingedLiberty1957

Here you go ...

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=840644&highlight_key=y

7Jaguars

I still don't see how any of that changes what my experience has been and what we were taught in endless hours of chemistry (inorganic, organic, p-chem, biochemistry) is that PURE acetone will not interact with oxidized metal products. Impurities will change that such as leftovers in the container, other cra- left on the coin surface, reused acetone, etc. will relayer products (or nastier ) on the coin't surface.