Will verdigris on mint state copper cents recur after conservation?

drfish

If PCGS or NGC conserves small areas of verdigris on a mint state copper cent , is that coin a safe long term hold or can the verdigris recur?

stealer

<< <i>If PCGS or NGC conserves small areas of verdigris on a mint state copper cent , is that coin a safe long term hold or can the verdigris recur? >>


Given the reactivity of copper, I wouldn't bank on conservation being an end-all-be-all solution to verdigris. You also have to take into consideration that the conserved area is "fresh" copper and very willing to give itself up to corrosion.

darktone

At least with the verdigris you still have some original skin on the rest of the coin. Once it is conserved it will never be the same. I think I would just use a toothpick very carefully to try to remove it as best you can.

sniocsu

I believe relying on the knowledge of some of the copper specialists here would be wise. Conservation I would imagine leads to "new copper" being exposed to a reactive environment (which could be essentially anything). I know that many use an oil (Blue Ribbon, etc.) to prevent the surfaces from reacting any further with the environment, which may be a way to go here. Again, I would wait for someone with a little more experience in this arena to chime in.

PerryHall

Wouldn't it depend on how the cent was stored? I think that it would be no more likely to corrode than a freshly struck copper coin if it were stored in a dry environment in a quality inert holder.

crypto79

Copper storage is a constant battle between the owner and the elements. This is why copper gets a little extra leeway in terms of "doctoring" and many EAC guys (gals? Na) prefer their coins out of plastic as to keep on top of them.

TwoSides2aCoin

I believe "reactive" means it is on going and the potential for change is ever present.

ricko

As long as copper is exposed to the atmosphere, it has the potential for verdigris. Safety can be obtained to a major degree, if, a totally clean (not the same as 'cleaned') coin is encapsulated in a truly sealed container with nitrogen. Cheers, RickO