A few days ago I was invited to an elderly ladies (around 80 yo) home to see, and possible make an offer to buy, her accumulation of coins.
my friend and I were surprised on the number of similarly toned nickel and silver coins. So I asked her where she kept them because of their color. She got a bit uptite and said that most of them were seriously dirty and she used Ammonia-Suds to clean them so they look nice when we come to buy them. This kind of Ammonia is available commercially here in Canada in smaller bottles for home use. then she proceeded to say she used a soft tooth brush and the suds to make sure every coin is clean. then she asked : do you know why this one did not bring up colors on one side? See attached nickel!
I was at a loss.
I did not buy the collection as she did not like my price. However, she gave me this coin and said: let me know after you figure it out.
Does anyone have an explanation??? Ammonia Suds soak, toothbrush ????
We call it sudsy ammonia in the U.S. It is used occasionally for conservation as it works much better than the "pure" stuff. Someone with deep pockets can go to the household aisle of a store and find lots of things to try on coins.
@Insider2 said:
Next time, make sure the surfaces are totally clean. ** A proper ultrasonic dip and neutralization** followed by a soak in acetone should give you a more even surface. The coin is BEAUTIFUL as is; yet right or wrong, I'll bet four out of ten knowledgeable collectors will call it artificial toning due to the pattern of color. All joking aside. Next time, a brown bag w/some greasy Taco Bell residue on the paper may produce even more color...LOL. Thanks for the post! I wish you would have sent it in to be graded. That way, no matter the result, you could tell us how you did it.
What is an ultrasonic dip? I infer that neutralization references acid. What acid, what neutralizing agent? What is a "more even surface"?
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell
Sorry I was so vague. I don't presume to be writing anything you don't already know so here goes...
Q. What is an ultrasonic dip?
A. When a coin is put into one of the usual brighteners using a heated ultrasonic cleaner the chemical gets into all the micro surfaces. I first saw this method being used in a mid-western "Boiler Factory."
Q. I infer that neutralization references acid. What acid, what neutralizing agent?
A. Usual coin dips. Baking soda solution.
Q. What is a "more even surface?
A. Natural toning tends to occur in an even way. The surface is basically one color unless it has the normal color progression. Interruptions to this appearance can happen when there is contamination on the surface. Dirt, grease, fingerprints, chemical residues, etc can "block" the toning pattern causing streaks, blotches, untoned patches, etc. By preparing the coin's surface, any natural or artificial reaction will be more "even."
The typical heated "degreasing units" (used to clean metal) strip dirt and grease from a surface. I no longer have access to one. I cannot be sure if I remember the name of the boiling chemical that produced the cleaning vapor so I will not name it.
It would have been valuable to learn if one of these units would have any effect on a naturally toned silver coin.
LOL, a proper tank has a cooling coil near the top that causes the vapor to condense and fall back into the tank. No vapor or chemical leaves the tank.
@Insider2 said:
LOL, a proper tank has a cooling coil near the top that causes the vapor to condense and fall back into the tank. No vapor or chemical leaves the tank.
You should see what is available now that is quite proper..... this is just a guy tinkering with interesting cheap chinese toys.
Perhaps a movie of a professional unit in use (rather than a toy) would have been a more interesting post. Sounds like you may have something where you work.
That looks like a hairlined VF common date walker....I wouldn't invest any time or effort trying to make it attractive, as there is no upside no matter what is done to it.
Comments
A few days ago I was invited to an elderly ladies (around 80 yo) home to see, and possible make an offer to buy, her accumulation of coins.
my friend and I were surprised on the number of similarly toned nickel and silver coins. So I asked her where she kept them because of their color. She got a bit uptite and said that most of them were seriously dirty and she used Ammonia-Suds to clean them so they look nice when we come to buy them. This kind of Ammonia is available commercially here in Canada in smaller bottles for home use. then she proceeded to say she used a soft tooth brush and the suds to make sure every coin is clean. then she asked : do you know why this one did not bring up colors on one side? See attached nickel!
I was at a loss.
I did not buy the collection as she did not like my price. However, she gave me this coin and said: let me know after you figure it out.
Does anyone have an explanation??? Ammonia Suds soak, toothbrush ????
We call it sudsy ammonia in the U.S. It is used occasionally for conservation as it works much better than the "pure" stuff. Someone with deep pockets can go to the household aisle of a store and find lots of things to try on coins.
Hummm, never thought of auto products. Thanks!
Attributed as the "Egg Salad Variety."
What is an ultrasonic dip? I infer that neutralization references acid. What acid, what neutralizing agent? What is a "more even surface"?
Sorry I was so vague. I don't presume to be writing anything you don't already know so here goes...
Q. What is an ultrasonic dip?
A. When a coin is put into one of the usual brighteners using a heated ultrasonic cleaner the chemical gets into all the micro surfaces. I first saw this method being used in a mid-western "Boiler Factory."
Q. I infer that neutralization references acid. What acid, what neutralizing agent?
A. Usual coin dips. Baking soda solution.
Q. What is a "more even surface?
A. Natural toning tends to occur in an even way. The surface is basically one color unless it has the normal color progression. Interruptions to this appearance can happen when there is contamination on the surface. Dirt, grease, fingerprints, chemical residues, etc can "block" the toning pattern causing streaks, blotches, untoned patches, etc. By preparing the coin's surface, any natural or artificial reaction will be more "even."
The typical heated "degreasing units" (used to clean metal) strip dirt and grease from a surface. I no longer have access to one. I cannot be sure if I remember the name of the boiling chemical that produced the cleaning vapor so I will not name it.
It would have been valuable to learn if one of these units would have any effect on a naturally toned silver coin.
LOL, a proper tank has a cooling coil near the top that causes the vapor to condense and fall back into the tank. No vapor or chemical leaves the tank.
Perhaps a movie of a professional unit in use (rather than a toy) would have been a more interesting post. Sounds like you may have something where you work.
Wow! That's amazing!
rusty screws /metal and coin............
That looks like a hairlined VF common date walker....I wouldn't invest any time or effort trying to make it attractive, as there is no upside no matter what is done to it.