Interesting results on my PVC Mexico Mint set clean up project....

kryptonitecomics · May 23, 2006 9:21AM

Maybe you remember my post from a few weeks ago and maybe you don't.......well let me refresh the story

#1 Bought this mint set off Ebay for $1.50

#2 determined that the coins were covered in PVC due to long term storage in the plastic holder..

#3 removed the set from the packaging and proceeded to soak the coins in pure acetone for 2-weeks including a little help with some q-tips..

#4 the results are in...

Now keep in mind that some of the coins showed obvious signs of some nice toning even through the layers of PVC but I was suprised to see toning on some of the other coins..........has anyone ever heard of Acetone changing the color of a coin??? I can say for a fact that I have not and have used acetone many time in the past which only leads me to the conclusion the the toning was underneath the PVC the whole time...I guess

ajaan · May 23, 2006 9:23AM

I have never heard of acetone changing the color of a coin. The coins looks pretty nice to me.

21Walker · May 23, 2006 9:32AM

Very nice results, I'm with ajaan as far as never seeing coins change color using acetone........Rick

gxseries · May 23, 2006 12:45PM

I disagree. Color changes occur more often on copper and copper alloys, like bronze. I had at least 10+ coins that I thought I could save from PVC damage, except to see them getting awfully colored. Copper and it's counterpart alloys are usually more prone to sulfides.

Depending on the type of residue as well as damage there, what acetone will do is to remove the chloride damage, but if I am not mistaken, it makes it more prone to sulfide damage at the same time. Now if your particular damaged coin has chloride AND sulfide damage, that could spell plenty of trouble as it just plates your coin with a nice layer of sulfide, and hence, bad toning.

But that in theory should also affect silver, but so far, I haven't seen much artificial coloring on any of the silvers that I have rised with acetone.

What would be nice is to find a set of "nice" PVC damaged copper coins that were stored in a smoker's house for years to do several experiments to prove / disprove this theory.

oldshep · May 23, 2006 3:04PM

WOW! The color on the 20 centavos is fantastic!!!
Shep

1jester · May 23, 2006 6:26PM

I also did an acetone rinse of my 1964 mint set, and the PVC had damaged a couple of the pieces, but overall the set turned out nice, and most of the coins had been toned in the holder.

Steve27 · May 23, 2006 8:29PM

Acetone will NOT change the color of a coin.

kryptonitecomics · May 23, 2006 10:23PM

<< <i>WOW! The color on the 20 centavos is fantastic!!!
Shep >>

I could tell that one was a winner ever through the PVC and packaging.......I was not disappointed with the end results

WillieBoyd2 · May 24, 2006 1:43AM

Is this an official Mexico mint set holder or a privately produced holder?

I wonder because the holder legend is in English.

kryptonitecomics · May 24, 2006 3:40AM

Honestly...I don't have a clue but it could be in English due to tourism etc? Maybe these sets were sold at normal tourist destinations as souvenirs as opposed to being an official Mexico Mint product?

AuldFartte · May 24, 2006 5:48AM

That 20 C. is awesome !!!

... and no, acetone does not change the color of copper, silver or gold coins.

Interesting results on my PVC Mexico Mint set clean up project....

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