Is there a way to safely clean the green sticky slime off buffalo nickels? I would be thankful for any help on this.
If it’s green and sticky it’s likely PVC residue. Plop in industrial (100% pure) acetone NOT NAIL POLISH REMOVER Do this for up to 8 hours and all the stuff will be dissolved away
Ceramic or glass will both be fine. Keep anything plastic far away, as it will melt. Show us a picture and we can give you more info.
Full strength straight up. As it will only dissolve organic compounds or plastics not the coin or toning. Unless it’s fake. Copper fine too in my opinion though others differ
I like straight up ,lol . Ok I have wife buy , I try on Metal detecting reject coins . Grrrrr, Arghhh .
I have never seen acetone damage any coin of any medium. Full strength, no dilution. Leave in as long as it takes
The sticky green stuff dissolves easily, and is readily removed. Acetone, with a very gentle rub with a Q-tip (best to use the ones with the wooden shaft, if you can find them), followed by another acetone rinse will take care of this in just a few minutes. I wouldn't use a Q-tip on a silver coin, but copper-nickel is much harder, and you shouldn't see any hairlines as long as you are gentle.
These were stored by a ladies husband in an old jar. She just sold them as is so now I am trying to clean them up a little to verify dates and such.. Also how many coins at a time as I have 2 rolls of them. Thanks to everyone for your as usual great ideas and info!
That looks like old crusty corrosion, not the waxy stuff we've been talking about. If this green stuff is hard, not soft, it won't come off in any way that does not damage the coin. And even if you get rid of the green, these are not likely to be valuable coins.
