baking soda + boiling water = silver cleaner?

Sometimes, it isn't going to matter. In fact, I have used a "cooking" method that has had better results than "dipping". But I experimented with it some and won't use it on key or semi keys or coins that hold a "numismatic" value. But it's been said that most older circulated silver coins have been cleaned at some point. And I have a good friend who can be considered an "expert" in the field of Lincoln Cent varieties who has more than 1400 in his collection who routinely "cooks" cents prior to searching. Most of the guys here have very nice collections and would not even think of collecting from circulation, so they would never clean a coin. Which is right, but some coins it just won't matter. IMHO.

gary

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Done properly, it's not. I have had better results de-oxidizing with a solution of Baking soda/salt/water/ aluminum than "dipping". But "cooking" is more difficult and takes longer. The chemical reaction transfers the oxidation from the Silver to the Aluminum and releases sulpheric gas. IMHO But I only do "junk"

gary

 

I would recommend Ezest Coin Cleaner. If you dolute the solution with distilled water and dry your coin with a hair dryer after cleaning it the results are remarkable.

 

How do you remove pvc from a coin? If you even can?

 

That's the easy one. A brief bath in pure (repeat, PURE) acetone available at any home center or paint store. Do not under any circumstances put nail polish remover on a coin - you have no clue as to what impurities/contaminants/other chemicals are mixed in.

Use acetone outdoors, or in a very well ventilated room, as its fumes can be hazardous to your health.

Some folks claim acetone can be harmfjl to copper, but I've never seen such a result.

The thing to be aware of is that if the PVC contamination has reacted significantly with the metal, your newly PVC-free coin may have very noticeable pitting.

 

What was the nature of the damage? Loss of luster? Something else?

 

Baking soda is Sodium + Hydrogen + Carbon + Oxygen (=NaHCO3)
Salt is Sodium + Chlorine (=NaCl)
Water is Hydrogen + Oxygen (=H2O)
Aluminum (=Al)
Silver coin is Silver + Copper (=Ag + Cu)

How does combining all of that produce "Sulphuric gas?"
Maybe you discovered something that the medieval alchemists spent their lives looking for, transforming one element into another.

 

The tarnish or toning is silver sulfide.

 

Ah...That is right, but the amount sulpher in the tarnish (only molecules thick) is so miniscule that it's surprising that it could even be detected as a result of any reaction. it's certianly not a dangerous amount.

 

If Wikipedia is right this time, hydrogen sulfide is "perceptible at concentrations as low as 0.00047 parts per million. "

It could be the result of a minor reaction path and still be detectable. I'd expect most of the sulfur to wind up as aluminum sulfide, though.

 

Where i worked, in the (cleaning department) they used 55 gal. barrels of sulfuric acid in the cleaning line, , you would walk in the building when they did this it smelled like rotten eggs.I do not kow how many drums they used and if they used water with it ? As said I was a inspecter and operator in a differant
department.
Sandy

 

One thing that I have tried that seems to work(though I have no idea what it does to the coin in the long run) is soak it in hand soap. It is a clear soap, and after sitting on a coin for a day it get's a bluish green haze. I stick it under warm water until the soap residue comes off, dab it dry, and put more soap on it. I have cleaned up several coins this way, but it usually takes 1 week + for most coins.

 

Dolute ezest coin cleaner by 30% in one tub. three different rinse distilled water tubs and a hair dryer. Dip all four tubs hair dry for 1 min or until coins to hot to handle. Repeat if needed. Works great for all coins.

 

[makes a note to himself to not buy coins from these two guys]

 

hah, I have only really experimented with some junk silver and other stuff

 

Why?

 

Why? Because I don't trust that method of cleaning.

 

I understand. I don't do it to all my coins. Only badly toned silver dollars from sets. I only do it if its going to save a coin and only if its UNC or Proof. Never circulated coins.


I would use/prefer this method then baking soda and boiling water. But only if its truly needed and will save a coin.

 

Coins cleaned by this method stand out like a sore thumb. At the flea markets around here, you see dealers trying to pass off cleaned coins as original. Almost all have reside in the devices or look "cleaned" when put side by side with original untouched coins.

For your own collection, it's fine...you can do what you want, but when it comes to sell..... well, it's going to be a hard sell.

Nothing more frustrating when buying a coin and then you get it graded to find it's "geniune- cleaned".

 

I can't agree more ikandiggit. Circulated coins that have been dipped with 100% solution or even others litter the markets. It's something that you've got to really know what you're doing and to make sure you dry it completely. I've sent some stuff I've dipped to NGC and PCGS and neither have come back cleaned or look clean compared to others. Definately keep it away from pennies though. It's like putting FrontLine on bunnies.