What would you remove PVC from copper coins? Or would you?

Ogden · November 15, 2003 7:58AM

I have some nice early Lincolns which have the green glob (under 10X Mag). Is it safe to do anything with these coins or just let them green away? I have used acetone on silver with good success, but I'm not sure what to do with copper. There's got to be something!!!

Thanks
Ogden

darktone · November 15, 2003 8:00AM

as long as it's PVC acetone should work fine but if it's verdigris you got a problem. mike

1jester · November 15, 2003 8:39AM

I agree with Darktone. Acetone will remove PVC from copper with no ill effects. Verdigris, however, is another story.

coinkat · November 15, 2003 10:08AM

give olive oil a shot for a extended period of time.

mozeppa · November 15, 2003 10:20AM

someone tell me......what is verdigris?

whats it look like?

BigE · November 15, 2003 10:31AM

Verdigris is coin leprosy, it eats away at the coin and causes the surface to disintegrate-------------BigE

DragonAzz · November 15, 2003 10:43AM

Can anyone post a pic or discribe in detail the appearance of verdigris?

Spinynorman · November 15, 2003 10:59AM

Here's some verdigris...

BigE · November 15, 2003 11:13AM

Wow Norman!, that coin should be put away in a cave and fed by Mother Theresa

--------------BigE

1jester · November 15, 2003 8:12PM

Many copper coins will show signs of verdigris growth after sitting in a damp environment for 50 years or less. It starts with one (or more)spots, and spreads. Olive oil can be used effectively to remove verdigris, depending on how hard and deep the encrustation is. For Spiny's coin, I think it would need to soak in olive oil for a couple years, or decades even. And even if you do remove the verdigris, there's always the surface erosion to remind you of the cancer.

MacCoin · November 15, 2003 9:14PM

I've tryed everything from tar-x to EZest coin cleaner the thing that works best on PVC for me is finger nail polish remove and a soft tooth brush. A thing you have to remember is what pvc dose to your coin. there is most likely a pit under the green $hit

Ogden · November 16, 2003 8:06AM

Would PCGS be able to detect it if acetone or nail polish was used to removed PVC?

Ogden

Bubblehead · November 16, 2003 9:06AM

On copper, yes!
Big time Body Bag!

1jester · November 16, 2003 9:22AM

I think if PVC hasn't been there very long, they won't be able to tell. The longer PVC is present, however, the higher the chances that it will have eaten into the coin. The it would be easy to tell.

Spinynorman · November 16, 2003 11:50AM

I removed a pretty thick layer of PVC (mint set packaging) from this one not too long ago. It didn't damage the surface, but it did tone darker where the pvc was the thickest.

What would you remove PVC from copper coins? Or would you?

Comments

Leave a Comment