Acetone, Xylene, and glass cups vs plastic

Boss · Mar 2, 2009

rlm's cents said: ↑

First off, I was saying glass does NOT react.

As for the gloves, test them. Stick them in and see what happens. As a guess, xylene and MEK will be a problem. Remember, all you need is for the gloves to resist long enough to protect your hands. Also, most hardware stores sell acid gloves. They are not exactly convenient and comfortable, but they should work.
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Sorry RLM, I forgot what you had said. Thanks for info on gloves

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Boss · Mar 2, 2009

GDJMSP said: ↑

You will find countless methods for cleaning coins on-line, in books, literally all over the place. And some of them will be made by names you recognize as being "somebody" in the field of numismatics. But that doesn't necessarily mean you should follow their advice.

Up until the 1940's or so cleaning your coins was considered to be the thing to do. It was commonplace and every method imaginable was used. Now not everybody agreed that coins should be cleaned, even back then. But as time wore on more and more collectors began to realize that most methods of cleaning coins was harmful to them. And they began to appreciate those coins with original surfaces.

In today's numismatic world coins with original surfaces are highly prized and bring premiums at sale. While cleaned coins, even those cleaned properly do not. Those cleaned improperly bring fractions of actual retail value.

Something that many do not think of when they buy coins and consider cleaning them is this - yes, they are your coins, you paid for them. And you can do whatever want to them. But think for a minute, that coin that is 100 or 150 years old, how many other collectors owned that coin before you did ? They treated the coin with respect, why shouldn't do the same ? How many more will likely own it in the years to come ? And if the coin is cleaned, how many of them will be wishing that the previous owner had not cleaned it ?

We, as collectors, owe something to the coins we own. And we owe something to those who owned it before us and those who will own it in the centuries to come. We must never lose sight of that.

Imagine if you will, this coin which is 645 years old, what would it look like today if it had not been properly cared for over the last 6 centuries ? What would look like tomorrow ?
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Nice response Doug as to the "why" of why not to thrash coins. That is an important point- the overall availability of coins for yourself and others in the future. New people coming into the hobby in droves is not good. Everybody wants to harshly clean coins and this is bad stuff.

raider34 · Mar 2, 2009

ubermint said: ↑

Use a toothbrush and you can make your coin look like this... crap!!!
Use vinegar and lemon juice and make your copper coins look like .....crap too!!!

Just don't bother, unless you want to just play around with junk. Are you sure it's not an error, or rare first though??
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Ubermint what's going on with that rev. It looks alot like the VAM 1-Q
VAMworld » 1921-D VAM-1Q Though it seems to be missing the die cracks through UNITED. Does it have the cracks on the Obv like in the pic from VamWorld? Maybe it's an early stage one.

GDJMSP · Mar 3, 2009

Moonshadow said: ↑

I'm new to coin collecting, but I've already sunk a few hundred into silver dollars in February. I understand that cleaning coins is a no-no and it's something I won't do, but I have to comment that most of the graded Morgans and Peaces I've seen look as though they've been cleaned. Many of them bear scratch marks right across the face, and I have to wonder how could silver look that incredibly shiny when it's a over a hundred years old, (without some type of cleaning?) I'd love to get some clarification on this because something seems inconsistent.
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raider34 said: ↑

Many of the Morgans were minted put into 1,000 coin canvas bags and stored at the mints, and other facilities, and forgotten about. Many of those coins didn't see the light of day till the late 50's and early 60's when people begain to redeem them at face value. Also the final GSA sale in the 70's sold off the last of the coins. So it's easy to see how the coins could still look brand new after 100 years.
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Now wait a minute, you're missing something here. Just how long is that you think it takes a coin to tone ? I assure it is not 40 or 50 years. The '60s after all were 50 years ago. It's not even 30 years. Coins begin to tone the very instant after they are struck.

So it's not because the Morgans were stored in bank vaults for decades. Every single one of those coins from those bags has toned. No, the bright rainbow colors that everybody first thinks of, but rather a duller, darker white - a grey if you will. It is all a matter of degree. And that is only for those that are still in the original GSA holders. For all of those others from those bank vault bags that are not in the original holders, fully 80% or more of them have been dipped in recent years to make them all bright and shiny and new looking. Had they been left alone, they would not look that way.

raider34 · Mar 3, 2009

Your correct GD, I was addressing mainly the condition of the coins (Details-wise) rather then the toning (which I should have done). I know that many of the Morgans were sold at the discount auctions because they had toned so badly in the bags. And who ever said a little quick dip counted as cleaning LOL no no I'm just joking I don't want to start that argument.

Moonshadow · Mar 3, 2009

raider34 said: ↑

And who ever said a little quick dip counted as cleaning LOL no no I'm just joking I don't want to start that argument.
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Oh now we're getting to the real nitty gritty...I'm always telling my 9 year old the same thing, every time he takes a "quick dip".

quartertapper · Mar 3, 2009

I usually use a wire brush to clean my coins unless they are copper. Copper coins require sandblasting. After that is complete, soak them in gasoline for a couple of days. You probably should drill a hole in them and tie a string through it, as you do not want fingerprints on it. Make sure the string does not contain chemicals that will ruin the coin though, or you will have to repeat this procedure (and you can't use the same hole twice).Oh yeah, this works best on key date MS65 or better coins. Good luck!!!

Moonshadow · Mar 3, 2009

Oh quartertapper you're so clever...why not just put the pennies through one of those penny pressing machines? That usually shines 'em up pretty nicely too!

kidkayt · Mar 3, 2009

Apart from the humor - be very careful of these chemicals - they are carcinogenic and fumes are toxic.

rlm's cents · Mar 3, 2009

kidkayt said: ↑

Apart from the humor - be very careful of these chemicals - they are carcinogenic and fumes are toxic.
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Just curious, but which are you referring to? Acetone, xylene, nor MEK is carcenigenic to the best of my knowledge and none of the fumes are toxic shy of oxygendeprivation.

quartertapper · Mar 3, 2009

Moonshadow said: ↑

Oh quartertapper you're so clever...why not just put the pennies through one of those penny pressing machines? That usually shines 'em up pretty nicely too!
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Sorry for the explosion. I guess I just have a bit of a problem with cleaning coins and couldn't resist!

ubermint · Mar 3, 2009

raider34 said: ↑

Ubermint what's going on with that rev. It looks alot like the VAM 1-Q
VAMworld » 1921-D VAM-1Q Though it seems to be missing the die cracks through UNITED. Does it have the cracks on the Obv like in the pic from VamWorld? Maybe it's an early stage one.
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Yea there is definitley something up with this coin. I really just don't know or haven't taken the time rather to study up on it. Is it something that will make it more collectable even though this coin was cleaned...harshly? Is it like an error? I'm pretty much a noob in the collector business. :crying:

It's more or less a keep sake even though it has been cleaned. It would be neat to know more about it. I would appreciate a quick lesson in "Vam" coins if your up to explaining it. Shoot me a PM if would like. I am going to check out the link you sent and see what I can learn tonight. hya:

Thanks for your interest in it.

raider34 · Mar 3, 2009

PM sent.

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Acetone, Xylene, and glass cups vs plastic

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Acetone, Xylene, and glass cups vs plastic

Boss Coin Hoarder

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