Coin Conservation 1940 Proof Walker

As I have posted a few times before, I am very honest about the fact that I do practice proper coin conservation. I would like to start documenting some of the coins I conserve and the methods I use to do so.

This is the coin I'm focusing on this thread. This proof 1940 walker has pretty significant PVC impairment. Luckily I can see that the surfaces below the PVC have not been harmed.... yet.



The process begins with an acetone soak for approximately 5 minutes. Then put in a warm running water bath. The coin is then dipped quickly and returned to a running warm water bath and pat dried with a soft cloth towel. Final result:



Now she's off to the grading company.

 

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A real Beauty. What's your guess on the grade?

 

Id guess PF65-66.

 

Nice , & almost a no AW variety .

 

Good job

 

The results are pretty good. Do you ever worry about touching the surface of a proof coin with a cloth towel?

 

Job well done.

I would imagine the drying job you give the coin has to be pretty well done to ensure all the liquid is off the coin. I'd be interested in seeing your technique.

 

I have found that press drying on a cloth towel is the safest way to do it. No rubbing of course... just laying it out, making sure it's flat and then using the other side and pressing down hard till the desired effect is reached. Sometimes it takes a few times. I have always used this method and have never had a coin rejected from certification.

 

Great job Matt . What strength dip do you use , or do you use it straight ?

 

I use it full strengthen... I just do it quickly and make sure to neutralize well.

 

the only thing I might do differently would be to bathe in an alkaline solution (baking soda in distilled water) after the post dip rinse (to neutralize any dip residue), then another tap water rinse and final distilled water rinse before blotting dry on a flour sack towel or old cotton T shirt. That's just me and I'm sure your method has stood the test of time!

 

I like it! I have done this to some of my halves and seen no ill effect. I actually do it a little different though. I dip, then real fast rinse with hot soapy water, then rinse with HOT tap water (will change to distilled now that I have some), and from there into the acetone soak and shuffle. Here is a thread of one I did..

http://www.cointalk.com/threads/acc...wild-cameo-even-thoughts.244935/#post-1894699

The pictures are not great but the cameo is there and the 'restoration' worked great. It is now clean and in a slab (non TPG). It is my avatar, as it is the best I have found in the wild.

 

I've gotten in the habit of giving a soak in acetone for a few minutes to any raw silver coin that I buy. PVC is almost ubiquitous. Check your slabs, too, a surprising number of their inhabitants are contaminated.

 

Great coin, excellent thread. Is it possible to see if the surfaces have been harmed by the PVC before dipping a coin?

 

That's a big part of the learning curve... Sometimes it is too late.... I usually look at them under a really bright light to look for spots that have no mirrors... If I don't see any then it usually comes out ok.

 

what do you dip it in after the acetone & warm water rinse?

 

Excellent conservation work!

 

Goes to show that if done properly, dipping can be a good way to restore a coin to its former glory.

 

Dipping into what though, besides acetone?

 

A sulfuric acid - thiouric dip is the most common type . E-Zest coin cleaner is what I've used with good results . I dilute mine with distilled water at 50% . I wouldn't recommend dipping to anyone unless they can 1. tell if a coin should benefit and 2. you've practiced on a bunch of common date MS coins as these dips are quite strong and do take the top layer of a coin off . If you let it set too long you can strip some or all of the luster off .