Preparing Coins for Storage

Chip, I've washed lincoln memorials, BU ones, and patted them dry with lots of toilette paper. I saw nothing, no minute scratches or water marks.
I must be missing something but don't know what.

 

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Not to say this is all just bunk, but for sure a lot of erroneous information. For one the so called toning on Copper you state as CuO is in reality [CuCO3-Cu(OH)2]. And AgO? Where did you see that one? Next as you stated MOST Rubbing Alcohols contain 10 - 30 % water. And some much more and some much less and the water is never stated as to what it really is. Not all waters are what you think and if you think they are, look at your tap water in a microscope. An Ultrasound cleaner with Acetone? Please try that and let us know what hospital your in for flowers. Especially if the on/off switch is on the unit.
Hate to burst your bubble but everything GDJMSP said is what should be done. As to any or all of the miscellaneous solutions mentioned for cleaning or removing contaminates might and usually do have some really horrible effects. Especially if you are not doing the project with really great care.
I've already found, much to my amazement, that even Acetone can and did effect coins. GDJMSP warned me and I used to argue that point but now after what happened to coins of mine in Acetone, I too always say leave well enough alone.
Once, not long ago, I acquired a 95 Double Die Lincoln for practically nothing due to a large finger print on the obverse. Acetone did nothing to remove that either. Neither did many other solutions such as Laquer thinners, Alcohols, Mineral spirits and many others. Eventually jewlery cleaner from Walmart did actually remove that finger print. Unfortunately that coin is now a horrible odd discolorated coin. No fingerprint though.
If you do not know what your doing, not familiar with explosive or very flamable substances, don't attempt to experiment. Not worth your eyes.

 

FYI--If interested, you can get pure Acetone from a beauty supply shop.

 

cleaning with acetone

Minor point (maybe not so minor) but someone earlier on a post said about cleaning coins something along the lines of
1) if you don't know what you're doing, don't do it
2) if you THINK you know what you're doing, don't do it.

As far as using acetone in an ultrasonic cleaner, granted that the ones I've used in the past had stainless steel basins. So yes, I am in error (and error of omission) on that. Obviously, using an ultrasonic cleaner with a acetone soluble basin is a truly dumb idea and would either get you nominated for a Darwin Award or the subject of a Mythbusters show.

As far as using CuO for generic copper oxide, mea culpa. I was trying to give a low level introduction to oxidation. However, I doubt that most people on this forum are that knowledgeable (or even care) about copper (or silver) oxidation states. Besides which, my Inorganic Chemistry texts are in boxes. To do the educational job right would require a lot more time and research than I'm prepared to do at this point.

As far as using solvents, like most of life, moderation is the watchword.

The reason I occasionally clean coins is to remove surface crud or recent fingerprints. I like my coins to be attractive. I am not a dealer, but a collector who enjoys the beauty of coins.
A coin that has had a fingerprint on it for many days has started corroding the coin. The purpose (at least for me) of organic solvents is to remove greases, acids, etc. before fresh fingerprints, etc. start doing damage. They are a good way of removing surface crud and an ultrasonic cleaner (again, one with a stainless steel basin) is much more gentle than a cue tip. If you are worried about metal-to-metal contact, put a chemwipe in the basin and just one coin at a time.

So yes, I will continue to, occasionally, use various ketones, alcohols, soaps and water to clean my coins. I've also used dips to brighten up some really oxidized foreign silver coins (worth only a few dollars) as gifts.

And no, I didn't end up in a hospital (remember those two rules mentioned above).

Dr. Bob (for those who remember Rolf in greens on the Muppet Show)
B.S., Chemistry, Ph.D. experimental physics

 

mea culpa

I'll try to be more exacting on my posts and add the Danger, Danger, Will Robinson warnings. I'm not an avid coin cleaner and I'm sure that there are those on CoinTalk who have significant experience with truly exotic methods. I'll let them lead the discussions on cleaning.

Bob
P.S., for those who do want to try the dirty sock method, Costco wool socks work well. You can track the level of toning when you change the socks (my recommendation is at least a couple times a week (sorry, couldn't resist :rolling
Merry Christmas/Happy New Year everyone !

 

"I acquired a 95 Double Die Lincoln for practically nothing due to a large finger print on the obverse. Acetone did nothing to remove that either. Neither did many other solutions such as Laquer thinners, Alcohols, Mineral spirits and many others. Eventually jewlery cleaner from Walmart did actually remove that finger print. Unfortunately that coin is now a horrible odd discolorated coin. No fingerprint though."

To save the coin I had to destroy it! LOL

 

Warning !!! Do not try this !!!

Notice that I use unbleached coffee filters to cut down on the acidic contact with the coins I am planning on cleaning:bigeyes: