Hi! Was wondering if there was any benefit or not to use acetone or anything to clean/conserve silver coins sold as brilliant uncirculated. One roll is pre-65 .900 silver, the other is 2021 .999 silver. Anyone have any opinions/suggestions on the subject? Was wondering if acetone would affect any original luster on them. Or maybe prevent possible marks or fingerprints on the newer coins?
I don't know that acetone will necessarily hurt them. It will disinfect them. Are you worried about them getting COVID?
First, cleaning is different than conserving. Conserving means removing debris from a coin (grease, dirt, glue, tape; things like that). Conserving is acceptable; acetone is VERY helpful for conservation. Acetone is VERY helpful for removing fingerprints provided it is used before the organic acids have a chance to etch a coin's surface. WARNING: Only use pure acetone such as can be gotten at places such as Home Depot. And obey the cautions on the can. Don't use fingernail polish remover as it has other ingredients that are harmful. Cleaning means chemically removing tarnish/toning; in other words removing surface features that are the result of the coining metal combining with something else such as oxygen; it's not an acceptable process. Cleaning also means abrasively removing surface blemishes; it's not an acceptable process. Cleaning is NOT acceptable EXCEPT in cases where a coin's surfaces are so badly corrupted that they can only be marginally improved.
Hi Kanga, thanks for looking in. Ya, as I asked "clean/conserve" was wondering if it might prevent any marks or fingerprints, but I also was thinking, by the time I get them, any oils or acid from handling would already would be done working on the metal. Thank you for your response.
Fingerprints and oils will do permanent damage if not immediately removed If it was there when you obtained it, it will likely remain, despite your efforts
Ya, I guess you guys helped me answer my own question. Just was looking for more input as I'm not knowledgeable enough about cleaning/conserving coins. Just what I've been learning trolling through other threads here on CT. Thanks for helping out a newbie.
Acetone won't affect luster. It doesn't interact with the metal in a coin. All it does is remove organic compounds that might be lurking on the coin's surface. I rinse every incoming raw coin in acetone, even pristine looking BU coins. Why? Because I don't know anything about the environment it came from. Was the previous owner a smoker, perhaps? How was the coin handled and/or stored? Was it exposed to anything that might be invisible now, but could create problems down the road?
I've only tried this with common coins so far, but NGS doesn't complain. I "restored" a nearly black 1960 Franklin Half Dollar and NGC gave it MS65. Aluminum foil is great for protecting coins in long-term storage, too. http://blog.teachersource.com/2014/01/18/chemistry-of-tarnished-silver/