Conservation question

Stork

I have several medals with various verdigris, spotting or other crud and I'm wondering if anyone has tried removal with the pros. One is in a slab so I can't touch it and the others look a bit much for the olive oil at home thing, or in the case of the aluminum one, I don't dare try anything.



Do any of these look like they would benefit?



This one is the nicest of them all, and in a slab so I can't do anything with it. I was a bit surprised it was in a straight slab from our hosts given the gunk. Makes me think it turned in the slab...and I don't remember it looking that way when I bought it. It's nice and I want to save it.





Aluminum with general crud. All I ever mess with is acetone and olive oil, but am too chicken to try something on a volatile beast such as aluminum. Any ideas would be welcomed though if someone has some experience







The general staines and cruds:









edited to add this one too..the white spots on the iron

ShadyDave

I just tried restoration at PCGS (picked my coin up at the post office this morning). I sent it in 6/6 and it went through restoration and grading in 21 business days...I was not expecting that. So 25 business days in total and it was a normal "regular" submission..with restoration too.





Once the secure picture is up on PCGS, I'll show you the before and after. I had to call PCGS customer service to make sure that it went through the restoration process and that it wasn't rejected....it wasn't rejected (head scratcher). So.....

ajaan

Do they restore medals? I know it's not cheap to do coins.

Stork

Hmm, good question. I'm sure it's pricey, wouldn't send in the aluminum token for example, but I've got about 8 that are nice enough to preserve.



NCS bases the cost (if I remember right) on the underlying value with some amount being the minimum. Medals are harder than coins, they aren't necessarily found in better shape so I don't just buy problem free ones. It's not wear and tear that bothers me, just a potential ongoing chemical or physical process that could or should be halted.

Zohar

NCS did a great job yet tacks on the valuation based fee.

1960NYGiants

The 1st one you may be able to send back to PCGS under their guarantee program if you believe it turned in the slab. Contact customer service.



The bronze and brass pieces are good candidates for a long term EVOO soak. Unless they have been "antiqued".



Aluminum is a b****! Just like zinc and other white metals. Once it starts it cannot be stopped. However, I would still try the acetone method. Could also try MS70 and or Coin Care.



I have no experience with iron medals and coins but we use preservative oils on machined parts that do a good job of preventing further degradation. The Coin Care product mentioned above has a preservative in it that may work. Some folks use Miracle Oil or WD-40 or other some such.

Stork

What is EVOO?



I really don't know if that medal turned in the slab...I just don't remember seeing the spots before. I wonder if the seller still has archived photos, I'll have to check with them (it's an excellent company). I'm not interested in a return or anything, but getting it stopped would be nice, if not fixed entirely.



Thanks for the other ideas .

1960NYGiants

EVOO = Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It is very light in color. In use, as it turns green or brownish it means it's working.

Stork

Of course! Thanks

coinnerd

Do not use MS70 on aluminum. You won't like what happens.

TwoKopeiki

I've had PCGS conserve a coin already holdered to remove some green crud on the obverse. They did a pretty good job, but about a year later a stain developed. It's with PCGS right now for guaranteed resubmission. I'll post the results.