SNemecek

I have several 1943 cents that are showing some rust (light to severe). I know the rust will continue to eat away the coins. Is there anything I can do to remove the rust and preserve the coins?

I love '43s and I would like to preserve them for future generations.

Thanks,
Sean

borgovan

Oooh...great question.

You know, I've never thought about this. I've got a bag of about 500 of these things that I won in a lot a couple of years ago. They could all use some kind of preservation.

I don't know of anything to remove the rust, short of some kind of acid, but I wouldn't recommend that.

As far as preventing further damage, I would think that some kind of oil compound would help, but I have never done this.

I'm really looking forward to a good answer on this one. Unfortunately, though, I would have thought that I'd have heard of something already if it existed.

kanga

Once the zinc coating is breached and the steel underneath has started to rust, that all for that coin (unless you just want a space filler).
When the rust is removed (and I don't know how to do that) you'll have a pitted coin.

The only thing I've ever seen done with them is to "reprocess" them.
Reprocessing is basically cleaning them of the rust and putting a new zinc coating on them.
If done correctly they come out looking proof-like.
Really nice looking, but obviously not original surfaces.

__________________
ANA Member
APS Member
ARA Member

There are 10 types of people: those that understand binary, and those that don't.

CoinKeeper

Put them in vinegar, and scrub. Do this only if you want the rust off, it'll be worthless afterwords.

__________________
All silver and gold is kept in a bank safe

SNemecek

Is there a way to remove the rust without devaluing the coin?

TheNoost

It's already devalued, whats done is done. Olive oil or mineral oil soak followed by acetone rinse may remove some of the looser particles, but I have never tried it. You can keep it from getting worse by storing in a proper environment w/dicatessant.

Harryj

I've heard WD-40 may help, but can't confirm it.

__________________

SNemecek

I did read that some have soaked steel cents in motor oil to remove rust. I guess WD-40 would be similar. I'm not sure if it would work or what it would do to the coin.

desertgem

Oxalic acid is a reducing agent ( found in Bar Keep Friend, naval jelly, blood cleanup kits) that will remove the rust ( but the damage will be there!!!) I think I saw it at Home depot or Lowes or similar place. It is dangerous so follow directions. Read Wikipedia or something similar for effects. Use very weak until you get the action you want. Never tried it on 43's.

Jim

SNemecek

Maybe I should conduct some experiments to see what works best with the least amount of additional damage. Hmm. . . I'm going to need more really rusty 43's.

TheNoost

Do I hear an educational post with before and after pics coming?

SNemecek

Perhaps. If I can find the time for the research and experimentation and if I can get enough rusty cents to get reliable results.

spock1k

biox works well too.

__________________
http://kidromeoisathief.webs.com/

CoinKeeper

electrolysis is another way...and it's completely safe, do a YouTube or google search.

__________________
All silver and gold is kept in a bank safe

mrbrklyn

pan frying them in olive oil and garlic would be better.

__________________
"The tremendous problem we face is that we are becoming sharecroppers to our own cultural heritage -- we need the ability to participate in our own society."
Coin Talk Museum Exhibits
http://www.mrbrklyn.com/coins.html