Just as the header states. I had gotten this lil guy for something like $8 a while ago. But what's this green spot on it? By the "M" in Monticello. Is there any way I can correct this here at home or is this out of my league? Any and all advice is welcome. Thanks, and have a great weekend!
I believe verdigris only forms on copper and/or brass. But since that's a Silver wartime nickel that contains copper it could be.
I'm not a chemist, but I play one on the weekends. Urr, it could maybe possible be because I believe war nickels are 56% copper. Metals react if stored in damp environments. That said, it could be a little pvc; maybe an acetone soak could help it out. Still a sharp looking coin. Regards.
I've read that the alloys used for the war nickels weren't exactly perfected and that there were lots of issues with them. That led me to thinking about the possibility of verdigris here and what I might be able to do (with my limited knowledge on this matter) to try rectifying this. Or, even if it's something completely different, what I can do to see that this blob doesn't spread out.
Correct.. Wartime nickels were made of 56 percent copper, 35 percent silver, and 9 percent manganese.
Looks like there is another spot forming above the NT in CENTS. Acetone may help but probably not. Even if the acetone is able to remove the spot, you never know what is under it. I'm also thinking that a dip would kill the coin.
@No_Ragrets And the very beginning stages under the V in Five and at 9 o'clock to the F. Also slightly at 7 o'clock to the original verdigris in your first post. Those are very early spots that could possibly be corrected and conserved. Nice looking coin though.
No, it commonly forms on silver and gold as well. All it takes are minute traces of copper, whether it was intended to be in the alloy or not. That said, not all things green on a coin are verdigris either. Natural and artificial toning, as well as PVC residue (which can be many different colors) can be green as well.
