I'm trying my hand at conserving some coins. I don't have a chemistry degree or background (gave it up when I was 16), but I thought it might be handy for there to be a dictionary of chemicals used to conserve coins. As I said, I have only a very basic understanding of how some of the chemicals work. If someone has a better understanding of why these chemicals work for their intended purpose, feel free to add or correct anything I say. Perhaps once we have gathered enough information, Peter might want to publish it as a document or a sticky? Note: You might want to read instructions on the proper use of these chemicals when applying them to a particular problem, this dictionary is only intended as a list of useful chemicals and their uses as well as their pros/cons. Many of these are potentially dangerous, so make sure you take appropriate precautions before using them. I'll start off: Acetone: a solvent used to remove moisture and PVC damage from coins. Benzotriazole: A corrosion inhibitor, often dissolved as a 5% solution with Ethanol and to seal off a coin or other artifact after verdigris has been removed in order to prevent a recurrence of the problem.
Read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) about chemicals you are working with. Many are readily available online.
Not really familiar with it but any chemical that can do what you describe would by necessity have to leave a residue on the coin. That is not advisable. Especially since the only thing that is needed to prevent an repeat occurence of verdigris is proper storage.
