1884 Liberty Nickel Conservation attempt.

I believe you are right.... It becomes a new metal, two elements that bond to form new molecules of metal. I was hoping it might be non reactive like coal sludge or oil. But I am more and more likely to agree with yours and others theory that its going to have to remain on the surface due to its combination with the Nickel alloy.

 

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It is not quite that simple. Since you seem to have some chemistry, I would recommend searching out 'metallic bonding' which is the concern here, rather than covalent bonding (molecule). The bonding portion of the five cent piece to the contaminant is most likely copper rather than nickel ( 25%) as it is more reactive and also the higher component at 75%. I didn't suggest Ferric chloride at the time as you didn't want physical damage, pitting or discoloration which it would produce. FC is know coin wise as the agent in Nic-a-Date and can dissolve enough of the surface to make a worn date visible, but does leave staining and damage. It would probably remove the crud on the coin, but the surface would be ruined, so I suggested leaving as was, and that is what you are doing so that is good. Jim

 

Ok, there are elements, compounds and mixtures. Metals are either elements or alloys. Alloys are mixtures of metals. Metals are composed of atoms, not molecules. The surface of your coin might have the appearance it does because the metal of the coin has formed a compound with other elements in the environment. In order to do anything, you have to remove the compound, and this will remove atoms of the metal element, and the results will be uncertain. Just ask yourself, "Do I feel lucky?"

 

"This definition often breaks down since many substances in ordinary experience, such as rocks, salts, and metals, are composed of large crystalline networks of chemically bonded atoms or ions, but are not made of discrete molecules."

I learn something here every day.

 

Kentucky,
I do not feel lucky.(love the dirty Harry reference; it fits nicely with this thread) But when I do I'll let ya know. For now I'm gonna leave it alone and out of the album.

 

me too... I guess it would be ionic bonding.

 

The metal alloy of NiCu is the cation, and the substance bonded to it (whatever it may be) is the anion.

 

ooh... forgot about this one.... not in my album but it's a better date L. H. Nickel.

I have been told that a grading company will not give it a grade if it has any black on it. I've seen ones on ebay that designate a coin as damaged but that it's details are only graded. For instance 1894 Environmental Damage, VF 20 Details. Does anyone know where the line is drawn? Cause I really like the way this coin looks.

My 1894 Nickel with patina in the fields:


except for the scratches on the Rev.