Lacquer on large cents
coinnut
Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
What in the world did the old timers use to lacquer large cents with? I have 2 that I would like to remove it from but everything I've tried has failed. Even a 2 day soak in Strypeeze failed to touch it.
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Acetone should dissolve it.
Tried a three day soak in acetone but it didn't work either.
Are you sure it's lacquer and not some plastic resin someone painted on?
Try putting it in the freezer for a day or two. Then dump it into boiling water.
I've HEARD this works. Make sure you dry it an put a protectant on it. No rubbing.
Really don't know what is. But I'm willing to try anything.
I'll try the freezer trick and the boiling water. Never heard of that one.
If acetone doesn't work it's not lacquer. I watched an idiot dealer scrub lacquer off an original Henry Hines large cent with an abrasive cloth.
Must not be lacquer then. Some kind of varnish maybe?
If acetone doesn't work it's not lacquer. I watched an idiot dealer scrub lacquer off an original Henry Hines large cent with an abrasive cloth.
It may be best to just leave them as is until you can get true information on just what coating is on them.
If the coin is very valuable, suggest that you send it to one of the grading services for conservation and grading.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I assume that lacquer and varnish might both come off with acetone, but not sure...
If it is a more recent "treatment" it might be some sort of plastic or acrylic coating. Paint thinner might attack that. Not sure what the potential downside is, though.
Could it be wax?
Try the freezing/boiling water method....If that does not work, there are stronger strippers out there, but nasty stuff for sure.... try to avoid going that route. Cheers, RickO
I remember one time at the coin shop getting in a 19th century proof with a translucent red blob on it. Tried acetone, alcohol and paint thinner without luck. Gave up and rinsed it in hot water to remove the residue of the solvents. It washed right off.
Water, the "universal solvent," should always be the first choice.
When my son was in Boy Scouts doing the coin collecting thing, we bought 100 Roman coins for $100. They were pretty nasty looking, dirty (OK, they were dug coins) and lots of scale and stuff on them.
We put them in a toaster oven broiler for a while and then ice water. Did this several times, and you would not believe the crud that came off of them. Many of the coins "cracked" out of their shell, down to shiney copper, etc. Most were "clean" enough to see the details, ID the emperor or timeframe. Some were virtually unworn, some were VERY worn, but all were good.
The freezing/boiling method did not work. Neither did acetone or strypeeze. If properly conserved the value of the 2 coins might be $2000. Probably worth sending to a TPG for conservation. Unless anybody else has method I could try.
Thanks everyone.
I've only had one coin in my life that I could not completely remove whatever was on it. Before sending it in, go to Home Depot and buy some Turpentine, Lacquer Thinner, Mineral Spirits, and even try gasoline. That's all I'll say. Be careful and good luck.
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You are getting warmer...
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If the coins are worth $2000, you are risking $2000 in playing with these yourself. Improper removal of the resin can permanently damage the surface.
Hey, Ricko, no porn references!
sheesh: strippers!
sorry my mind is in the gutter
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