How to conserve/clean/dip copper Lincoln cents, proof/UNC
slimbert
Posts: 29 ✭✭
I'm looking for ways to properly conserve some Lincoln cents before sending them off for grading (nothing major, just some 1981 Type 2 from proof sets, 1970-S small date from mint sets, etc).
I ask because last time I used a diluted EZ-est mix on a proof cent (1999 Close AM), it turned quite pink. It still straight graded, but it looked a little unnatural.
Any tips would be appreciated.
And yes, I'll of course do some trials on common coins first 
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Comments
What effect does acetone have on copper coins?
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"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
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Don't
You were lucky with the EZest not getting cleaned from the pumpkin orange resulting
I have heard ammonia is what you want to use on proof cents, but no experience so not sure.
I wouldn’t try anything with copper unless perhaps experimenting with something considered benign, and then on inexpensive coins. Of course if an inexpensive coin needs to be conserved, why bother?
Acetone dissolves surface contaminants on copper and doesn't alter the color of copper, in my experience.
I have been having good results using Verdi-Care with ReAct2. Doesn't alter the color of copper or bronze. Does loosen surface dirt which will lift onto a rolling qtip. Peace Roy
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Copper can be tricky. I've had generally pretty good luck on proofs with MS70 "coin brightener". There is a risk of it turning funky colors though, if anything has started oxidizing on the surface it will likely turn blue.
Collector, occasional seller
An additional note: A dark red copper color will become a brighter copper color. I'll see if I have something around here that I can do a before/after comparison with or even a half and half split surface.
Collector, occasional seller
Prolonged acetone exposure may oxidize surface of copper and discolor it. I would be a bit hesitant to use Verdi-Care on proof surfaces but admit to lack of experience with it. PLEASE do not use MS70 as it gives that tell-tale purple/un-natural red color....
Well, just Love coins, period.
why is conservation necessary and is it really worth the risk?
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I feel like I've heard this too. I'll have to give it a shot.
Collector, occasional seller
I’ve seen people recommend xylene for copper. Don’t have any personal experience with it though.
Your one word says it all.
Acetone only - make sure it's pure, with no perfume, etc. I use it on just about every coin submitted including proofs.
WS
@coinkat , conservation is not necessary, but I'd rather have the coin not be hazy rather than hazy. I asked here on the forum to see if there is a low to no risk solution that collectors have had success with.
I collect red copper. Apparently, NCS or some major dealer using them has figured it out because red Lincoln's from 1950's to the present all look the same. There was a period in the 80's when this happened with Indian's and Lincolns but that was not done chemically.
Are you referring to the blue toned Indian cents that everyone found amazing? There was a forum member who kept finding/displaying these cents.... then it was found out that they were being done intentionally by dipping into a certain available product. So while the coins were/are beautiful... some consider these to be tampered with - artificial toning. If my memory is correct anyways.
No, I'm referring to the coins that had some king of micro-buffing that were being graded by the major TPGS before they caught on to that type of alteration. I was fooled too. After I bought one and cracked it out for my set, I could tell the luster was "off"compared to my original red coins as soon as I was able to tip and rotate it out of the plastic. I realized these altered coins were all over the place! It was sort of like a micro-whizzing job for a better sense of what it looked like.
With MS coins, if they have mint set packaging haze MS70 will take it off but you better rinse it in acetone a couple of times or it will turn on you. I generally would suggest don't. Old Lincolns can have a peach fuzz that is really attractive and it will get ruined if you use anything on it.