how to cure polished coins

If that is the case, I guess not cleaning them is not enough for me: I should replace the ones I cleaned in the past. All those coins put together... could easily reach 200 dollars. Oh well, I've had more expensive lessons

 

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A point well clarified, and a word from the wise! Great analagy by the way!

 

I've noticed that no one has mentioned the numerous different situations dealing with this system. For one a pocket in very tight jeans would not move much at all. Next if the coin was by itself or with other coins, that too could make a difference. The material of the pocket too could create different results. An active person with loose fitting pants with harsh material pockets would have one type of result and someone with jeans that appear painted on with only one coin in the pocket would have completely different results.

 

Of course we all cleaned coins way back in the old days. If you showed someone a collection and it was just out of change they would usually say why don't you clean those things, they sure are dirty looking. So we did.
Way, way back when I was a kid there was a coin store in the neighborhood. One day in the window there was a tray of 1916D Mercury Dimes for $1.50 each. All in about G to F. So I purchased them all. Don't remember where I ever got that much money. And naturally when I got them home, I did what all us kids did, cleaned them with a baking soda and water solution. Sure looked nice. OH, the $1.50. This was somewhere in the late 40's I think.

 

You're probably right Carl. I wear very loose fitting pants and rove around with my hands constantly in my pockets fingering the change. I imagine a specimen in my care would deteriorate at a rather accelerated rate.

 

Make sure you update this post with results - good or bad.

 

I have nine young kids I've been giving my collection to, little by little, since they were, well, very little. Now, don't go there with this one, Doug...they're not all mine D)! But, invariably, whenever I "caution" them, I can "see" it on some of their faces, some of them just aren't "getting it," and just can't wait to get out of there and "pull the trigger." That's why I now always conclude such "lectures" with, if you have to do it, just make sure you do it small. I'm a firm believer, some people just need to make the mistakes, themselves, in order to learn. Better they take their lumps, now, while the damage is small, rather that later, when it could be very big, because they never learned. Just my philosophical approach on these hard, stubborn types. I feel you get a lot further along when you give your "permission" to experiment, experience and "learn" for themselves, rather than by reprimanding them.

 

if such a thing is possible we must find a way to get there

 

its your third millennium GD and i see you still havent succeeded tsk tsk

 

Let me say one thing more. In my original post I did not say that I had not read the entire thread. I said that I was not going to go back through and find the one post I wanted to respond to.

 

Good response Spock. No offense to anyone, but I hate when you ask advice and someone tells you to not buy that kind of coin. No duH?? You weren't asking if you should have bought that type of coin. You alreay know you shouldn't have presumably, but what to do now. If you asked the question, the buying part is a previously done deal, all be it a numismatic mistake. Question is what do you do now. I have many coins like this. They are not worthless at all, just not perfect, like life. They still have their place, are collectable and can be enjoyed. As far I am too tired to read this whole post now, but I would circulate it. This seems the strongest arguement. I bet you sell on eBay as unc, but that would put you in the bad guy category.

 

thanks Boss never bought a polished coin in ym life ( knock on wood) :hammer: i was given some as a gift and it was polished long long ago. so nothing they could have done since they didnt polish it. what doesnt help is the fact that they are rarities and since they have stayed in the family for more than 50 years they are not going to be sold on ebay or anywhere else

 

OK so here is what has transpired with those two coins on the window sill. First let me correct my previous information. A friend of mine saw me photographing those two and said "Hey, aren't those the coins you had in the Laquer Thinner in your garage?" I forgot about that. So unless my memory is completely shot I placed the Mercury Dime and the SLH in Acetone for a few weeks, then in Laquer Thinner for several days, Then in distilled water for a few days. The jar of distilled water was on a stove, over the pilot light so the water was a little on the luke warm side.
After this they both went on a window sill in the kitchen leaning against the wood of the window. It's Winter here so the windows have all been closed for months. Those coins have been there now for several weeks. Naturally at my age I keep forgetting to write down specific times or days.




Note the high gloss of the polished coins is now gone. Also, note the starting to tone around the edges of the SLH on both sides. The excessively glossy finish, whatever it was, is apparently now gone. Both these coins actually looked like proofs they were so shinny. The Merc is not doing as well as the SLH though. Not sure why. I'll leave them there for a few more weeks or even months. Nothing to loose now.

 

WHAT? So just who said it isn't flat? Your obviously being mislead by those that actually think we now have space travel.:smile
This planet is flat and if it wasn't, we would all fall off you know.

 

And here is another OOopps. I forgot that when I put those coins on the window sill they were still wet. And I have occationally breathed on them.
Next attempt will be the 1917S Mercuy Dime just purchsed last coin show. Now looks like a mirror. Should photograph that one now. I just normally don't photo coins so forget usually.
I've noticed most would not buy a polished coin. I on the other hand have for the fun of experimenting. As long as they are really cheap, not a key or expensive type, it's just fun. Better than using for target practice you know.
I've also purchsed many of those replated 1943 Steel Cents for about $0.25 each. Really don't see why anyone would go through the trouble of doing that to a Steel Cent to make a few cents.

 

"Fun" is the whole point of experimenting with altered/damaged coins to see if the appearance can be improved to the point where it is fit to go back into someone's collection. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm not sure why it is frowned upon.

 

I don't see any harm in messing aroung with an already altered coin. It's inexpensive, and it doesn't hurt anyone. If that's what keeps you out of trouble, more power to you!

 

Just one thing Carl.....keep those containers away from the seasonings in the kitchen.....

 

interesting although it looks better it still looks polished lets see what happens with passage of time