Anybody ever used canned air to blow off raw proof coins?

lordmarcovan · August 3, 2012 3:40AM

I was recently fortunate enough to find that the 25-lb. sack of bulk Darkside coins I bought was chock full of proofs. Obviously the shop I got them from had been cracking Bahamian, Barbados, and British Virgin Islands FM proof sets for the silver, and the rest of the nonsilver coins got tossed in the bulk sacks. I cringe to think of these lovely proofs rattling around loose in a sack with all that grungy bulk stuff, so I've rescued them. A few have dust and stuff on them, and since wiping proofs is a no-no, I thought I'd blow them off. But one doesn't want to blow them off with one's breath, or they'll get spots.

There are literally hundreds of proofs in this bag, mostly Bahamas. Some got hairlined or hazy but a lot are still pristine and lovely DCAMs. The last person I got Bahamian proof singles from had just cut them from the holders with scissors so they were still in a remnant of the original packaging, but this recent hoard is all loose. (Until I get them all individually put in flips). Not a bad score for less than ten cents apiece!

SO- Is that canned air (i.e. Endust "for Electronics" duster) OK, or are there chemical agents (the propellant and bittering agent) in these compressed air sprays that might also spot up a delicate proof coin?

ModCrewman · August 3, 2012 3:59AM

I know some people do use the canned air, I've never felt safe because of hte propellants you refer to.

This is what I use:

lordmarcovan · August 3, 2012 4:02AM

Ah. Smart thinkin'.

I'm scared that if I found the bulb syringe around here, a plug of petrified baby snot or earwax might fly out!

It's been over a decade since Victoria was small enough for us to need one of those, so I'm not sure we still have one.

MsMorrisine · August 3, 2012 4:03AM

not pure air == no

lordmarcovan · August 3, 2012 4:13AM

Someone else mentioned a hair dryer, but we don't have one (I can't stand the burned hair smell they produce), and I doubt that would have the focused airflow necessary. Well, maybe. But I'm not goin' there.

I guess I'll just look for a (clean) bulb syringe or use the Endust can only when necessary, at arm's length.

mingot · August 3, 2012 4:14AM

Bittering agent is what I would worry about!

kimber45ACP · August 3, 2012 4:30AM

I tried canned air one time to clean a modern proof silver coin for photographing. Big mistake.
I took the piece of lint off, but left a cloudy area in its place, right in the middle of the field of the coin.
I knew as soon as I pulled the trigger on the canned air that I, in fact, am an idiot.

The first thought that came to mind was:
"Well, this coin is now totally worthless. I might as well fling across the street, run over it with the truck,
hit with a hammer and throw it in the trash."

I gave it to my nephew instead as part of his beginning collection.

georgiacop50 · August 3, 2012 4:58AM

I do it all the time with no ill effects. Just make sure can is held upright and DO NOT SHAKE can b4 spraying.

lordmarcovan · August 3, 2012 5:03AM

<< I tried canned air one time to clean a modern proof silver coin for photographing. Big mistake.
I took the piece of lint off, but left a cloudy area in its place, right in the middle of the field of the coin.
I knew as soon as I pulled the trigger on the canned air that I, in fact, am an idiot.

The first thought that came to mind was:
"Well, this coin is now totally worthless. I might as well fling across the street, run over it with the truck,
hit with a hammer and throw it in the trash."

I gave it to my nephew instead as part of his beginning collection. >>

Well, the proofs I'm dealing with here were, in effect, thrown into the trash, so to speak. Popped loose into a heavy bulk sack of grubby circulated stuff. But at the price of (what, maybe seven cents apiece?) I can't complain. I'll be careful with 'em and give 'em the TLC they need now, but we're still not talking about high-dollar stuff. So I might try the canned air, with georgiacop50's advice of not shaking the can first, and keeping it upright. I'll also leave some distance between the nozzle and the coin so maybe what hits it will be more air than propellant.

messydesk · August 3, 2012 5:05AM

Giotto's Rocket. Just keep it clean.

johnrav · August 3, 2012 5:11AM

<< Giotto's Rocket. Just keep it clean. >>

a common camera accessory, to keep lenses and sensors free of dust and lint. thumbsup!

and give more of a blast than the nose cleaner (a little, at least.)

lordmarcovan · August 3, 2012 5:11AM

Ooh, I like those little rockets.

I'm too cheap and lazy to order one, though, most likely.

keets · August 3, 2012 5:12AM

i have used "canned air" for a while now with no adverse effects. as in most things, a little common sense will carry you a long way-----just don't agitate the contents and keep the can sitting on a flat surface when you spray the coins from a distance of 2-3 inches and all will be safe.

PerryHall · August 3, 2012 5:12AM

Be careful using compressed air with small coins. If you don't hold the coin tightly, the coin can go flying across the room. Don't ask me how I know.

WTCG · August 3, 2012 5:20AM

I use those and I recall so do both grading companies. As long as you don't hold the coins too close to the nozzle that any liquids may contact the coin surfaces it should be okay.

lordmarcovan · August 3, 2012 5:20AM

@ PerryHall.

I can see that little mind movie quite clearly.

And with all the grit and sand on our rural Georgia wood floors, 'twould be the kiss of death should a proof coin land on them.

ModCrewman · August 3, 2012 5:21AM

<< ... I recall so do both grading companies. >>

Why do I sense not every collector would be happy to hear this tidbit.

WTCG · August 3, 2012 5:23AM

<< 

<< ... I recall so do both grading companies. >>

Why do I sense not every collector would be happy to hear this tidbit. >>

Better that than have the sealer wipe the coin off on their shirt or blow on it with air from his mouth.

LochNESS · August 3, 2012 5:25AM

<< Ooh, I like those little rockets.

I'm too cheap and lazy to order one, though, most likely. >>

Friend, you sure do set stringent parameters for yourself

Hair dryer? too smelly. Rocket pump? too lazy.

I'm out of ideas, I think the little Rocket is the best I've seen so far. I'm going to order one. Test on cheap Bahama penny proofs and if it works, maybe use it on more high-dollar stuff.

Good on ya!

messydesk · August 3, 2012 5:31AM

<< I use those and I recall so do both grading companies. >>

WTCG, please disambiguate. Are you talking snot suckers, Giotto's Rockets, or canned air?

agentjim007 · August 3, 2012 6:52AM

Text I do it all the time with no ill effects. Just make sure can is held upright and DO NOT SHAKE can b4 spraying.
Same here.

lordmarcovan · August 3, 2012 9:44AM

<< 

<< Ooh, I like those little rockets.

I'm too cheap and lazy to order one, though, most likely. >>

Friend, you sure do set stringent parameters for yourself

Hair dryer? too smelly. Rocket pump? too lazy.

I'm out of ideas, I think the little Rocket is the best I've seen so far. I'm going to order one. Test on cheap Bahama penny proofs and if it works, maybe use it on more high-dollar stuff.

Good on ya! >>

Eh, I'll probably buy one of those rockets eventually. The page messydesk linked to didn't have any prices, though.

WestySteve · August 3, 2012 10:23AM

AIR HORN! (Preferably at a coin show)

Cougar1978 · August 3, 2012 10:32AM

I just mass dip them and then rinse them good.

lasvegasteddy · August 3, 2012 10:39AM

<< 

<< 

<< Ooh, I like those little rockets.

I'm too cheap and lazy to order one, though, most likely. >>

Friend, you sure do set stringent parameters for yourself

Hair dryer? too smelly. Rocket pump? too lazy.

I'm out of ideas, I think the little Rocket is the best I've seen so far. I'm going to order one. Test on cheap Bahama penny proofs and if it works, maybe use it on more high-dollar stuff.

Good on ya! >>

Eh, I'll probably buy one of those rockets eventually. The page messydesk linked to didn't have any prices, though. >>

ebay link for giotto rocket large on ebay from usa seller (lowest usa price)
giotto rocket

lordmarcovan · August 3, 2012 10:45AM

LVT- thanks.

lasvegasteddy · August 3, 2012 10:47AM

<< LVT- thanks. >>

now we'll see whose rocket flys fastest to us lordmarcovan...

i got prolly a 15 minute lead...lol

Anybody ever used canned air to blow off raw proof coins?

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