I used to use the alphabet solvent-that stuff that started with a "T" followed by about 30 more letters. When they banned it I switched to Acetone and it's worked pretty well for me ever since. But I really can't stand being around it too long even with good ventilation.
I see. So you perfer shiney coins with most of the detail stripped from it because of the same reason you like McDonalds Cheese Burgers? Amanda
No, the reason that they clean the coins is to make them visually appealing. The point that you are trying to make is that they would choose not to clean them if they were "knowledgeable". Museums are motivated to provide appealing displays, they are not necessarily motivated to maintain the collectable value of their pieces. Not basing your actions on the opinions of hobbyists has nothing to do with being knowledgeable. Especially since that supposed knowledge is not something that can be logically deduced. Does restoration of an old car constitute lack knowledge? Does restoration of antique furniture constitute lack of knowledge? The disconnect with coins is based on overriding opinions of coin collectors, not logic. No, i prefer coins that look as original as possible. Removing most of the detail would be counterproductive to the process. In many cases removing tarnish and corrosion makes the details more visible. Not really sure what you are talking about with the coin-cheeseburger analogy, but I do like McDonald's cheeseburgers so maybe you are right! :yes:
Ever turn a twisted Moran Dollar into a Spinner to catch Bluefish? You need to use a wire leader though.
OK - the definitive guild to coin polishing [video=youtube;epuL-q5ZsdQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epuL-q5ZsdQ[/video]
Of course, not all coins qualify for cleaning. I mean there are a few keys I won't clean. Maybe after I upgrade I might try it. But there are a ton of coins that need it. I prefer "cooking". I learned by experimenting that the water, baking soda, salt solution which when heated transfers the suflates of silver to aluminum can do wonders on silver coins. Since it's an electolysis, there's no etching, just the reversal of the oxidation process. I've had some decent luck restoring the luster of some BUs that were improperly stored in paper albums. A good friend who is one of the better known cent variety collectors uses a similiar method to cook copper before he searches through them. He has put together a set of tools he uses specifically for that. Face it, unless you are talking really high grade stuff, there's not a heck of a lot to lose by trying to restore some coins. I figure if there isn't much to lose, why not ? I doubt you gain much of course, but sometimes a cleaning can reveal a detail you couldn;t see before. And when a single "error or variety" can be worth more than the rest of the set combined, and you don't wanna miss that.
Wow that is SOO cool. Can you give me a diagram and step by step instructions on restoring luster. I've been trying to do that for years, and I just can't seem to do it without a big hammer.