I've got a REALLY nice large cent on the way. The detail is in the XF range, but it's got a bit of VERDIGRIS here and there on it. I don't plan on selling the coin. Any suggestions? Thanks Bone
Perhaps depending on the degree of verdigris, it may differ. What I do is to remove as much as possible, awfully cautiously with a toothpick and that should do most of the trick. And if that is not good enough, perhaps leaving it in olive oil in some period of time will do the job, however, I only do this to coins that's not worth too much. Do wait and listen to other people's opinions.
you need to remove it since it will continue to eat away at the coin's surface. I recommend a product called Biox. Just google it.
Please disregard the advice below.....Frank Whatever process you use to remove the verdigris, you will still need to stabilize the coin's metal from futher development of verdigris! A good soaking in Olive Oil will stabilize and preserve the coin, will not change or harm the coin's natural finish, whether it is like new, toned or other and will also loosen some dirt that has gotten on the coin over the years. After the soaking, you can just pat dry with a soft paper towel or any other appropriate material, leave it out to get some air for a day or so, then 2x2 it. Frank
Instead of a toothpick, I've had pretty good luck using a new soft-bristled tooth brush. Sometimes just gently touching the verdigris with a couple of bristles will remove it. I've done this to a couple of coins that I have been watching and the verdigris hasn't returned [yet]. I don't know anything about "stablizing" the coin's metal.
What makes you think this ? Olive oil contains an acid, it's a mild acid to be sure, but still an acid. That's why ancient collectors use it to clean up their coins. It works very slowly, but you're right it will eat stuff away. I would no more use olive oil on a coin of any value than I would dip it in battery acid. The product biox is specifically made to remove verdigris. I have not personally used it, but it is a rather inexpensive item and it would be a simple matter to test it on an inexpensive coin to find out the results. From what I have read of the product it does not harm the coins but I cannot say this with certainty. I cna only tell you it will remove the verdigris. Picking at verdigris with a toothpick, a thorn or a brush only removes the top layer of corrosion. It does not remove the underlying layers and the chemical reaction & corrosion will continue in time.
Please disregard the message below.....Frank Doug, Almost all of the Coin Dealers I know, use it and recommend it! I did not make the distinction between valuable and run of the meal coins but should have! I use Virgin Olive Oil on many highly circulated, dirty and corroded Large Cents, Indian Cents and Lincoln Cents and have never had a problem with them! Have you ever purchased any of the above coins from a Coin Dealer and it/they looked as if moisture got between the coin and the clear Mylar? If so, then more than likely, the coin had been soaked in and cleaned with Olive Oil! I don't know if there is a difference between regular Olive Oil and Virgin Olive Oil but the latter is what the Coin Dealers recommended to me! Also with the use of Olive Oil, a green Rose thorn can be used to remove dirt, grime and even some light Virdigris from copper type coins and the Rose thorn will not harm the coin! However...do not use a Rose thorn on Gold and Silver coins no matter how bad they may look! Frank
Well Ladies and Gentlemen, it really doesn't matter. The coin is badly pitted where the Verdigris is located at. The coin appears to gave been in saltwater for a period of time. It's still a neat historical piece and after checking my other Lg Cents is a duplicate as I have another w/o the pitting. Thanks for the input B
Frank - If I wanted to take the time I could probably find over a hundred or more coin dealers who still recommend that you coat your copper coins in lacquer to protect them. That doesn't mean they are right about it. There are literally thousands of them out there who will take a naturally toned coin they buy and the first thing they do is to dip it. That doesn't make them right either. I think you get my point. The only difference between virgin olive oil and regular is that virgin comes from the first pressing. It doesn't really change anything - they both still contain an acid. This is a scientific fact, not a matter of conjecture or opinion - olive oil contains a mild acid. There's another problem with olive oil - it doesn't evaporate. Once it's on the coin it stays there - unless it is removed. But what do you remove it with ? You could use acetone I suppose. And if you don't remove it then that mild acid sits there on the coin continually working on it. Yes, eventually the olive oil will dry. But when it dries it will leave a crusty film on the surface of the coin that will alter and hinder the appearance of the coin. If you are happy using this method or purchasing coins that have been treated this way - OK, I have no objection. But I feel I would be doing others who read this a disservice if I did not express what I know to be true.
Doug, I believe what you are saying! I would never advise to use something on a coin, if it was not an accepted practice among Coin Dealers! You still have the problem of stabilizing the coin's metal after the Virdigris is removed, otherwise it will come back and probably spread out over more of the coin's surface. So what can be used to stabilize the coin's metal? Would 50 weight gear oil or 30 weight motor oil work? Frank
No, I would definitely not place any kind of oil on a coin - ever. Your question assumes that the coin would need to be stabalized. But this would only be true IF all of the verdigris were not removed as would be the case if you picked it off. But if you use the product biox - it removes the verdigris completely and there is nothing to stabalize. There are those who say that acetone will stabalize a coin and keep it from toning further. But we have had many discussions about acetone and its pros and cons. IMO it should only be used when absolutely needed to prevent further damage to a coin. Of course I feel this way about any product.
