Un-cleaning coins

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by ahearn, Apr 27, 2009.

  1. ahearn

    ahearn Member

    I have some 1700's Spanish silver bust dollars that have been over-cleaned in my opinion. They have a bright chrome-like finish and don't look natural to me. Is there a way, without damaging the coins, to get back to a more natural silver color?
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. rzage

    rzage What Goes Around Comes Around .

    If they have a chromelike finish they are already damaged , you could leave them in a warm humid place to let them retone .
    rzage
     
  4. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    Pray to the sweet creator that those puppies tone........
     
  5. BadThad

    BadThad Calibrated for Lincolns

    Set them in a window sill for a year or so, they will gradually retone.
     
  6. Harryj

    Harryj Supporter**

    Yep, a windowsill with the most sun, you can put the coin on an oak board or plank. Remember to rotate the coin every month or so. Only problem being is that the recesses of the coin may not tone as much as the high points and the coin may appear artificially toned.
     
  7. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

    Since the most likely candidate for the sun's toning effect is UV, I wonder if anyone in the various fields that use high strength germicidal lamps, have tried putting coins under them for a week or so. I have a gemmology UV lamp, but I doubt seriously it is strong enough.

    JIm
     
  8. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

    But then again, glass is a good blocker of UV from the sun, so what is there in sun light that has enough energy to activate the metal for toning? Do you people open the window to tone coins ?

    Jim
     
  9. Harryj

    Harryj Supporter**

    When its nice out I've set a coin or two outside. Don't get the sun like you do on the west coast.
     
  10. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator


    Don't forget the heat aspect. The radiant energy absorbed by the coin every day, then cooling off, does more to tone the coins than the UV does.
     
  11. Cloudsweeper99

    Cloudsweeper99 Treasure Hunter

    Can you post a good photo of one of the coins?
     
  12. spock1k

    spock1k King of Hearts

    uncle GD is her e:D
     
  13. BadThad

    BadThad Calibrated for Lincolns

    I don't believe it's the UV rays or light, it's just the exposure to the elements. I leave the toning window cracked.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page