This coin appears to have been coated with varnish or some other substance. Can you identify the chemical ? How can I improve or remove this tarnish without danmaging the coin ? Dave
It looks like the coin is already damaged. I am not sure even if you can figure out how to remove it if you can tell if more damage was done. Just my opinion.
Tom B , If you see corrusion, I won't arque the point. I'm looking at coin in hand and it appears to me that the varnish is so thickly coated it is causing a camafloged of the coins natural strike appearance. If I knew how to remove the substance I think this would be a VG condition coin. Dave
I do have to agree that the coin looks heavily corroded. But if you really think it has a coating on it, and I'm not denying the possibility that it does, then soak it in xylene. That will remove any coating.
Thanks Doug. Will this chemical work on any coating ? I am not sure if it is varnish or laquer or whatever.
It won't work on just anything, but it should work on anything like that. Not knowing exactly what it is is why I suggested xylene. Acetone will remove most lacquers & varnishes, but xylene is a bit stronger, hotter if you will. And it will remove those that acetone can't.
Xylene and acetone work on oil based products as a solvent. So it should eventually work on any organic compound. Distilled water works on products in which a water solvent is useful and drys clean. This is why there is often a two step process involving acetone followed by a distilled water rinse. Nickels were often PAINTED for use in juke boxes by owners as a perk for allowing the juke box in the tavern or dance hall. The owner would use those nickels and the vendor would simply take them out of the till and return them to the owner.
Both acetone and xylene are inexpensive. Both are potentially dangerous. Use in a ventilated area, keep the stuff away from eyes and skin. Read the warning on the container(s). A long soak in acetone might work. Same with xylene. Remember to rinse thoroughly with distilled water after each use. I personally would use a few cents worth of either to try to get to the bottom of whatever crud you're dealing with. In fact, I think it would be fun, regardless of the result. Good luck!
The problem with seeing crud like this on a coin is that it is probably hiding damage from corrosion that makes the coin look even worse (if that is possible). If the crud is organic (carbon containing compounds), most organic solvents (toluene, xylene, acetone, etc) will at the least soften the stuff and float it off. Xylene isn't stronger than acetone, they each attack a different kind of material. By all means try a soak in some xylene and then some acetone if you have both or either, but don't expect to be overly pleased with the cleaning.
