I got this half and it has gunk on it. black and turquoise gunk. should i clean it? if so would ezest work withouy harming it.
Yeah, that's a rough one. I wouldn't touch it. If it is some sort of verdigris, maybe a little verdi-care? Outside of that, I wouldn't even consider acetone dipping because I don't think it will remove that gunk.
It's circulated and has "stuff" all over it, which typically means that if you remove the "stuff" you have one mighty funky looking coin. I don't know if it was a gift or you obtained it in some larger deal, but I would just get rid of it if it weren't a gift.
It's verdigris. The black is toning. But if it were me I'd follow Tom's suggestion and just get one that you are happy with as it is.
That coin's been around the block a few times. I love circulated commem's and I don't recommend cleaning them. Keep it as it is.
Or you can also donate it to the "I love cleaned coins and you should to" thread. They are still filling the dishwasher.
As crazy as it sounds... The green and yellow makes it look like it has been in contact with some sort of acid. I've never seen 90% silver turn green like that. The yellow and the green looks like it had nitric acid on it before. I've seen similar results on tested silver. I highly doubt verdicare would do much help, it may take off some of the green, but the yellow is a whole 'nother story. Any kind of acidic jewelry cleaner may react with the "green and yellow" and cause further damage. I would not trust that stuff. Polishing it will make it looked "whizzed". Your best bet would be a rock tumbler. The tumbling process will strip most of the tarnishing off, but it won't make it look bright like it will if you polish it. Call me a fool, but this is the best way. Your either going to be stuck with a ugly half dollar, or a cleaned half dollar. As ugly as that is, I would go for the latter. That green stuff is gonna mix with the oxygen in the air, and will most likely get worse. A cleaned coin can re-tone over time and look much better than the current situation.
