I didn't realize it was made by Harco. I'm going to have to do some research on them, the only reason I know their name is because of those green slime inducing coinmaster albums.
Do early copper coin collectors still brush their coins with a camel-hair brush to distribute the oil on the coin's surfaces and to give it that glossy look? I know they did this in the past but I was wondering if this practice is now frowned upon.
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
@PerryHall said:
Do early copper coin collectors still brush their coins with a camel-hair brush to distribute the oil on the coin's surfaces and to give it that glossy look? I know they did this in the past but I was wondering if this practice is now frowned upon.
The dealers selling raw at Coin Shows always have that appearance of being camel hair brushed. But the ones in slabs tend to look “dryer” in older slabs. This, to me, suggests they are still camel hair brushing at regular intervals and the ones in the slabs are overdue for a brushing.
@oih82w8 said:
I have been told that my 1909 VDB appears to have been treated with Blue Ribbon due to its blue-ish appearance.
That would be due to MS70 treatment, not Blue Ribbon.
There are a number of old threads regarding the MS70 “blue frost” seen on high grade ms and Proof Indian cents. I recall that Rick Snow contributed a lot of insight, among others.
I have about 20% in the old style bottle, I use it sparingly on critical copper. I found it in a box of old supplies from a closed down coin shop years ago. I ve tried the new so called equivalent, not even close, waste of money.
@jdimmick said:
I ve tried the new so called equivalent, not even close, waste of money.
What's funny is that when Blue Ribbon first came out replacing the original Care, our group of dealers were all in agreement that Blue Ribbon was a poor replacement for the then venerated Care.
Opinions change - as Joni sang, "you don't know what you've got 'til its gone..."
@jdimmick said:
I ve tried the new so called equivalent, not even close, waste of money.
What's funny is that when Blue Ribbon first came out replacing the original Care, our group of dealers were all in agreement that Blue Ribbon was a poor replacement for the then venerated Care.
I never owned or worked with the original Care myself, but ~30 years ago, our coin club dealer brought in a group of higher grade late date large cents that he’d just bought. Unfortunately they’d been stored in PVC flips for years, and really looked bad. They were offered at bargain prices, but I passed, as they looked too far gone to even try blue ribbon on.
Next month at our club show he was set up, and there were the large cents, looking pristine, and priced 3-4x higher. He said he still had some of the original Care, and it cleaned them up nicely. I asked if he’d sell me some and he just laughed.
Blue Ribbon does leave a residue and the TPGs definitely will certify such coins.
"Kare" or that "other" product that has been used frequently in the past does not get past the services nearly as often. It's purpose in my experience has been to elevate the visual appeal of corroded copper pieces.
@pruebas said:
Could one mix a little heavy mineral oil with acetone and create something close? When the acetone vaporizes, a film of the mineral oil remains.
The key would be getting the proportions correct.
I use this sometimes to soak crud off the coin but it never leaves them looking anything like what's shown here. It does a great job cleaning paint off of steel cents though.
@pruebas said:
Could one mix a little heavy mineral oil with acetone and create something close? When the acetone vaporizes, a film of the mineral oil remains.
The key would be getting the proportions correct.
I use this sometimes to soak crud off the coin but it never leaves them looking anything like what's shown here. It does a great job cleaning paint off of steel cents though.
@logger7 said:
Good information on this product here. So there was an "original" Blue Ribbon product as with "MS70" that was better.
Not sure that I understand the question, but they are two very different materials.
Blue Ribbon is a CFC organic solvent, and MS70 is more like a soapy water-based liquid; the smell is like diluted ammonia.
@oih82w8 said:
I have been told that my 1909 VDB appears to have been treated with Blue Ribbon due to its blue-ish appearance.
That would be due to MS70 treatment, not Blue Ribbon.
There are a number of old threads regarding the MS70 “blue frost” seen on high grade ms and Proof Indian cents. I recall that Rick Snow contributed a lot of insight, among others.
From my experiences with MS70, it will strip the color right off a coin in seconds and leave a copper coin bright orange and ruin that 1909 VDB in question.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
@oih82w8 said:
I have been told that my 1909 VDB appears to have been treated with Blue Ribbon due to its blue-ish appearance.
That would be due to MS70 treatment, not Blue Ribbon.
There are a number of old threads regarding the MS70 “blue frost” seen on high grade ms and Proof Indian cents. I recall that Rick Snow contributed a lot of insight, among others.
From my experiences with MS70, it will strip the color right off a coin in seconds and leave a copper coin bright orange and ruin that 1909 VDB in question.
Leo
That sounds more like what EZ Zest would do, as it’s acid based.
Here’s some MS70 treated copper:
A few more….it’s interesting how different they can turn out. All of these posted were stored in old paper envelopes and had a gray-brown haze on them when I acquired them 20+ years ago. And they were inexpensive, so I wasn’t risking much.
@logger7 said:
Good information on this product here. So there was an "original" Blue Ribbon product as with "MS70" that was better.
Not sure that I understand the question, but they are two very different materials.
Blue Ribbon is a CFC organic solvent, and MS70 is more like a soapy water-based liquid; the smell is like diluted ammonia.
>
Is the product available, I'm showing "discontinued" or at least the old version:
Key Aspects of Blue Ribbon for Copper Coins:
Purpose: Primarily a conservation tool to remove residue (like verdigris) and protect copper without causing damage or bright polishing.
Application: It was applied sparingly, often with a cotton swab or brush, and was popular for preserving the "chocolate" or glossy look on copper coins.
Composition: Originally, it contained 1,1,1-trichloroethane and mineral oil.
Discontinuation: Due to environmental regulations concerning its ingredients, the original Blue Ribbon is no longer produced, leading collectors to alternatives.
Alternatives: Classic Coin Conditioner is commonly cited as a direct replacement with a similar formula, which is safe on copper and removes contaminants without harsh chemicals.
As noted in the first few posts on the thread, Blue Ribbon is no longer being produced but is still sometimes available on the secondary market for a price. A dear price.
Oddly enough, I was going through some things today and came across a full bottle that was given to me over two decades ago by someone moving across country when I purchased a copy stand from him to do larger format photography. He had it sitting in a box and mentioned he never used it and asked if I would like the bottle since he was going to throw it away. I thought there might be some use for it so it came home with me. Truly, I thought I had thrown it out years ago and found it while looking for something else this afternoon.
It is the original formula with the original sales sticker ($4.95) still on it.
@TomB said:
Oddly enough, I was going through some things today and came across a full bottle that was given to me over two decades ago by someone moving across country when I purchased a copy stand from him to do larger format photography. He had it sitting in a box and mentioned he never used it and asked if I would like the bottle since he was going to throw it away. I thought there might be some use for it so it came home with me. Truly, I thought I had thrown it out years ago and found it while looking for something else this afternoon.
It is the original formula with the original sales sticker ($4.95) still on it.
Well don't throw it away... I'll give ya five times sticker price for that baby!
@oih82w8 said:
I have been told that my 1909 VDB appears to have been treated with Blue Ribbon due to its blue-ish appearance.
That would be due to MS70 treatment, not Blue Ribbon.
There are a number of old threads regarding the MS70 “blue frost” seen on high grade ms and Proof Indian cents. I recall that Rick Snow contributed a lot of insight, among others.
@oih82w8 said:
I have been told that my 1909 VDB appears to have been treated with Blue Ribbon due to its blue-ish appearance.
That would be due to MS70 treatment, not Blue Ribbon.
There are a number of old threads regarding the MS70 “blue frost” seen on high grade ms and Proof Indian cents. I recall that Rick Snow contributed a lot of insight, among others.
From my experiences with MS70, it will strip the color right off a coin in seconds and leave a copper coin bright orange and ruin that 1909 VDB in question.
Leo
Yep it will but that color is not toning it is a film so I would never use it on a toned war Jeff, it works great on nickels getting that old roll dirt off and won't touch toning on nickel. It works good for removing haze from mint sets as well, including copper.
Comments
Probably just a small amount percent wise so can’t see it but probably hydrophobizes the surface a bit to lessen moisture puckup
Mr_Spud
Is there an equivalent to blue ribbon out there now?
🥲
I tried Coin Care(?), marketed as an “equivalent” that came out some years ago, and it was garbage. Smelled and performed like light machine oil.
Which is probably why the original stuff commands big bucks.
I didn't realize it was made by Harco. I'm going to have to do some research on them, the only reason I know their name is because of those green slime inducing coinmaster albums.
Could one mix a little heavy mineral oil with acetone and create something close? When the acetone vaporizes, a film of the mineral oil remains.
The key would be getting the proportions correct.
Do early copper coin collectors still brush their coins with a camel-hair brush to distribute the oil on the coin's surfaces and to give it that glossy look? I know they did this in the past but I was wondering if this practice is now frowned upon.
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
The dealers selling raw at Coin Shows always have that appearance of being camel hair brushed. But the ones in slabs tend to look “dryer” in older slabs. This, to me, suggests they are still camel hair brushing at regular intervals and the ones in the slabs are overdue for a brushing.
Just my observation, I don’t try to verify.
Mr_Spud
I have been told that my 1909 VDB appears to have been treated with Blue Ribbon due to its blue-ish appearance.
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That would be due to MS70 treatment, not Blue Ribbon.
There are a number of old threads regarding the MS70 “blue frost” seen on high grade ms and Proof Indian cents. I recall that Rick Snow contributed a lot of insight, among others.
I have about 20% in the old style bottle, I use it sparingly on critical copper. I found it in a box of old supplies from a closed down coin shop years ago. I ve tried the new so called equivalent, not even close, waste of money.
What's funny is that when Blue Ribbon first came out replacing the original Care, our group of dealers were all in agreement that Blue Ribbon was a poor replacement for the then venerated Care.
Opinions change - as Joni sang, "you don't know what you've got 'til its gone..."
I never owned or worked with the original Care myself, but ~30 years ago, our coin club dealer brought in a group of higher grade late date large cents that he’d just bought. Unfortunately they’d been stored in PVC flips for years, and really looked bad. They were offered at bargain prices, but I passed, as they looked too far gone to even try blue ribbon on.
Next month at our club show he was set up, and there were the large cents, looking pristine, and priced 3-4x higher. He said he still had some of the original Care, and it cleaned them up nicely. I asked if he’d sell me some and he just laughed.
Blue Ribbon does leave a residue and the TPGs definitely will certify such coins.
"Kare" or that "other" product that has been used frequently in the past does not get past the services nearly as often. It's purpose in my experience has been to elevate the visual appeal of corroded copper pieces.
Official PCGS account of:
www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com
I use this sometimes to soak crud off the coin but it never leaves them looking anything like what's shown here. It does a great job cleaning paint off of steel cents though.
Mineral spirits ≠ [heavy] mineral oil!
Good information on this product here. So there was an "original" Blue Ribbon product as with "MS70" that was better.
Not sure that I understand the question, but they are two very different materials.
Blue Ribbon is a CFC organic solvent, and MS70 is more like a soapy water-based liquid; the smell is like diluted ammonia.
From my experiences with MS70, it will strip the color right off a coin in seconds and leave a copper coin bright orange and ruin that 1909 VDB in question.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
That sounds more like what EZ Zest would do, as it’s acid based.
Here’s some MS70 treated copper:
A few more….it’s interesting how different they can turn out. All of these posted were stored in old paper envelopes and had a gray-brown haze on them when I acquired them 20+ years ago. And they were inexpensive, so I wasn’t risking much.
I thought MS70 didn't effect the toning on silver?
>
Is the product available, I'm showing "discontinued" or at least the old version:
Key Aspects of Blue Ribbon for Copper Coins:
Purpose: Primarily a conservation tool to remove residue (like verdigris) and protect copper without causing damage or bright polishing.
Application: It was applied sparingly, often with a cotton swab or brush, and was popular for preserving the "chocolate" or glossy look on copper coins.
Composition: Originally, it contained 1,1,1-trichloroethane and mineral oil.
Discontinuation: Due to environmental regulations concerning its ingredients, the original Blue Ribbon is no longer produced, leading collectors to alternatives.
Alternatives: Classic Coin Conditioner is commonly cited as a direct replacement with a similar formula, which is safe on copper and removes contaminants without harsh chemicals.
As noted in the first few posts on the thread, Blue Ribbon is no longer being produced but is still sometimes available on the secondary market for a price. A dear price.
Oddly enough, I was going through some things today and came across a full bottle that was given to me over two decades ago by someone moving across country when I purchased a copy stand from him to do larger format photography. He had it sitting in a box and mentioned he never used it and asked if I would like the bottle since he was going to throw it away. I thought there might be some use for it so it came home with me. Truly, I thought I had thrown it out years ago and found it while looking for something else this afternoon.
It is the original formula with the original sales sticker ($4.95) still on it.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Well don't throw it away... I'll give ya five times sticker price for that baby!
I see that on other cents as well...
Yep it will but that color is not toning it is a film so I would never use it on a toned war Jeff, it works great on nickels getting that old roll dirt off and won't touch toning on nickel. It works good for removing haze from mint sets as well, including copper.