Little coin experiment...

I'm sure many of you have got at least a coin that has been cleaned, and you'd like it to regain the original color. The defects on the coin won't go away but the ugly cleaning color just might.
So I took a 1 cent coin, took pics, cleaned it, took pics of it cleaned. I am trying to find a method that might give the original color back to the coin, I have something in mind, it's a long process that might take months. Here's today's pics. I'll try once a month to post updates.
Start your own little experiments if you've got the time and an idea.

 

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Would the method of cleaning also be a variable to be considered?

After all, you wouldn't want to clean it in the old-time favorite Rock Tumbler, would you? LOL!

 

I'm actually in the process of documenting before/after shots of many different types of cleaning on Lincolns - BU and circulated pieces.

 

I will be interested to see your results...

 

I bought a 1922-D weak D & 1913-S that were harshly cleaned. I got them in a package deal for around $10. The pictures were bad but they were labeled cleaned. Cleaned was an understatement. I don't know how you could get a coin that slick & shiny without buffing away all the details, but if they weren't cleaned, they would be nice coins. They were also the most sickening color of pink you could imagine. I wrapped them in brown paper and put them in my wallet last July. I work outside, so they had a "damp" summer. I finally opened them about a month ago. They are still slick & shiny, but the color is MUCH better. I don't have before pics, but here are the afters. I'll replace them someday.

 

Unless the coins above were on grey paper, the color balance must be set properly if one wishes to evaluate the effects. I thought that white was most likely the color you used as a background, and when I take your photos and use a photo editor to correct it to white, the coins look much worse than yours. Thanks.

 

you can't un-ring a bell. The surfaces will never look original again. They might look acceptable, but they will never be restored to their original luster.

 

By original color I mean the state of the coin before it was cleaned (pic1), not the original red condition just after was minted. The point is to get coin in pic2 to look like coin in pic1 again.

Why? I've got and seen coins cleaned to bare metal that have not toned back. They just remain in the ugly pic2 condition.

 

Used Brasso to clean the coin. I never clean coins but in this case cleaned or not this coin is worth a penny not more. I used that 'cause I think most people that make the mistake to clean coins use the harsh way, not dip. I realize the re-toning won't remove the damage I made while rubbing with cleaner but at least it'd look a bit better.

 

Before using a compound on any surface, one should research its composition.
Brasso: http://lakefrontsupply.com/MSDS/Brasso/Brasso_ Polish_ MSDS.pdf

is mostly Stoddard's solvent ( mineral spirits) , petroleum products ( these won't directly harm the metal and are similar to organic solvents mentioned before on CT )

but also about 10% crystalline silica ( SAND), and kaolin ( clay like material, but still abrasive ) These are needed to make the metal shine brightly on spoor, buckles, etc....but when coins are look at with a magnifier and experience, it will be readily visible.

Re-toning of any coin is not just reactions with sulfur ( Deller's or H2S as per White's method from Sodium sulfide, or raw sulfur flowers ( flour)), but other compounds that are in the environment and also add to the tone color. The toning of a coin originally reflects the environment that most layers were produced. Polluted areas product quick toning and 'Clear sky ' areas less. Add in industry, weather, etc. and you get the various coining effects.

 

Isn't dull and dirty usually accompanied by scratches?

 

How could you see any scratches, the surface is so dark. To quote yourself, cleaning off toning often reveals signs of earlier harsh cleaning. Looking at coins I pull out of my pocket, I see many scratches. However I have to admit that abrasive cleaning would not only leave more, but they would be more consistently in one direction.

 

A little different process than Doug's coin, but with similar results. This is a BU red cent taken from a mint bag, then used masking tape and covered half the coin. The other half was exposed to Deller's Darkener...

Lots of experiments like Doug's and this one, have helped me acquire an eye to identify bronze coins that have been "enhanced" or "restored" (particularly Canadian and NFLD large cents), which I can now avoid the temptation to purchase them...

 

Couple of minutes after cleaning...

Week 1 into the experiment...

One month later...