Remember that "does acetone affect copper" thread back in April of 2012?

AUandAG

I took a couple of bright shiny cents and soaked in acetone overnight. Put them in flips and no spots or other problems ever showed. No issues whatsoever and no change in color...still the same. If you see a difference it is due to my lighting from the left.
bob

bolivarshagnasty

2012? I can't remember what I had for dinner last night. Good info though!

davewesen

I had a 1936 RB proof cent that I forgot about in a glass jar closed with acetone. I 'rediscovered' it 3 months later and it seemed the same, PCGS graded it anyway.

SamByrd

There also not copper cents. The copper plated zincs are not the same.

AUandAG

Sambyrd: I suggest you pick up the baton and try it on older cents. Let us know in four years please.
bob

TommyType

Rather doubt anyone is going to claim that "acetone eats metals". That's obviously not the case.

So it shouldn't be a shock that an absolutely uncirculated, recent date, hot off the presses cent placed in acetone was not affected.

However, an older circulated cent, (or even uncirculated?), with a protective film of dirt and oils? Is that coin going to be changed over time after being stripped in acetone? I wouldn't be too quick to say it won't.....

Barndog

try it on real copper cents and let us know

Pokermandude

In my experience, acetone on circulated/brown copper surfaces can do some very funky things.

MsMorrisine

Real copper cents are bronze or brass

The plating on a Zincoln is almost pure copper.

I think the thread also mentioned bright light. Try in a sealed container with a incandescent close to it.

MsMorrisine

@Pokermandude said:
In my experience, acetone on circulated/brown copper surfaces can do some very funky things.

It may be reacting with what is on the coin, or it could be the reacted bronze/brass. I don't know but that's a couple more things to test.

ricko

Acetone will not react with copper... It may, however, react with what is on the surface of the coin..Acetone removes organics. Cheers, RickO

ADG

@ricko said:
Acetone will not react with copper... It may, however, react with what is on the surface of the coin..Acetone removes organics. Cheers, RickO

Yes. It is an organic solvent which can dissolve / remove organic materials on a coin's surface. This can obviously alter the appearance. It does not react with copper itself, or any other metal for that matter.

7Jaguars

Although itself relatively stable, acetone can break down and yield oxidative products. This seems to be somewhat dependent on temperature and light exposure, amongst other factors.

I use it carefully and limit exposure, not using mechanical abrade EVER!