What is the best way to remove lacquer from a 1928 peace dollar?

I recently purchased a small group of coins and one of them happen to be a 1928 peace dollar but it has been covered in lacquer. It is xf-au condition and I am wondering if removing the lacquer is something I can do myself or should I send it in and have it done at ncs? I have read you can use acetone but have no idea how long to soak the coin or if soaking it too long can cause damage to the coins surface. Or should I just leave the coin alone?

 

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I'd have a professional restore the coin. Look at NGC's website for these services.
Also, there was NCS (Numismatic Conservation Services), but I think that was folded into NGC?

 

It really depends on the type of coating material available when it was done. If it was done in the 30s-40s, then it was probably natural shellac material from certain insects or plants. Then came synthetics which were harder to remove, and then acrylics which are almost impossible to remove. Since it is a key coin, I would either leave it alone or use NCS to investigate it if you do not know exactly what type of coating it happens to be. If it is acrylic based, it can look bad, no matter who does it.

Jim

 

Do you have pictures of the coin? It might not be all that bad. But since this is one of the scarcer dates of the series, I'd take it to a professional and wouldn't recommend doing anything to it yourself.

 

Lacquer was very popular to put on coins a few decades ago. From my experience I have seen more copper coins lacquered than any ohters. Acetone is said to remove it.

 

I would send it to NCS. Its a key date. Why risk it ?

 

Coinguy, maybe this thread will be of interest to you
http://www.cointalk.com/t68146/#post679058

Jim

 

Laquer disolves in laquer thinner. I would first soak it in that and then give it a dip in acetone. Neither one will do any harm to the metal.

 

Best left to the professionals. Why risk a $500 coin on a couple of member's opinions? Remember that the ones shelling out the advice don't have the coin in their hand, and are no worse off if your coin ends up damaged. Even if you buy into the statement that certain substances "will not harm" the metal, I'm willing to bet that any substance used improperly can do harm.

And for a little background, take a look at my other posts. I'm perfectly happy to share my experience cleaning coins, and methods I have used and continue to use. The difference is that I clean junk coins...I would never risk something as nice as what you're describing.

 

Hey the op can do whatever he wants. I'm just stating facts here.

 

OP, To answer your question of how long it woulkd take to soak the varnish off. Not long at all seconds to a few minutes depending upon how thick it is.

 

I wasn't directly targeting you with my post diocletian, I'm just saying that any substance used improperly can cause damage. For example, you mentioned that acetone is ok, but did you mention that nail polish remover would not be a suitable version? Did you mention the correct type of container for the op to soak in? What should be done after the soak? Maybe dry it down with a towel?

If a person is not experienced in cleaning coins, they should be very very wary to clean their coin. Even with "safe" chemicals. An inexperienced coin cleaner is likely to make many mistakes when they first start cleaning, and why would we want those first mistakes to be made on a nice key date coin?

 

You're right.

Because I work with these solvents all the time and assume that people should know how to behave around them. But I agree with you that I should maybe have added some safety tips.

This stuff is very flammable! You don't want to use nail polish remover because it contains perfumes. Don't try it in a plastic container.

I bought a bunch of silver coins from an old guy who was quite a trip. All of his coins were wrapped in scotch tape. He had silver dollars taped to old cardboard that had been that way for years. These all had black stripes where the tape glue was and were a mess. I paid melt for them soaked them in acetone in a porcelain bowl and the all came out great. It did not affect the toning or leave anything noticeable on the coins. Also, I was told to wash them in ivory soap and pat dry afterwards but I didn't do that. Acetone evaporates instantly and I didn't feel the need. That was 4 years ago and today these coins look fine.

One other thing I will say is that I have never tried it on copper coins. I was told that acetone will change the color of them. I never bought a copper coin that looked like it needed it and if I was going to try it I would first try it on a cheap one.

 

Another thing before I go golfing. If you do decide to try this yourself and need to help it along physically. Use a soft china bristle, throw away paint brush.

 

Thank you everyone for your help I am thinking I will send it to ncs/ngc. I have a few other coins I want to send in for grading anyway and it looks like the fee for removing the lacquer will be $10 plus 4% of the coins value. That doesn't sound too bad versus causing possible damage to the coins surface.

 

Thank you everyone for your help I am thinking I will send it to ncs/ngc. I have a few other coins I want to send in for grading anyway and it looks like the fee for removing the lacquer will be $10 plus 4% of the coins value. That doesn't sound too bad versus causing possible damage to the coins surface.

 

Good choice. I hope your coin wasn't cleaned too bad before it was lacquered.

 

I agree with the op's choice to send his coin in for removal. Heck a quart of this stuff would've cost him 5 or 6 bucks anyway. Why mess around with a better date coin?

Since we hear about acetone all the time lets have a look at what it does to coins.

Here are two coins I painted with high gloss oil based paint and let dry overnight (basicaly varnish with pigment.) I soaked both of them in acetone for less than a minute before it went to work. I did use a china bristle artist brush to help things along and get into the tight places and both coins were in acetone for 4 minutes. Both coins could've stayed in a little longer but I left a bit for the photos.

The proof Ike did have a slight hayes that went away after I patted it with a cotton cloth and it did lighten some tarnish as you can see.

The un sol I noticed no change to the toning.

We don't throw coins in acetone for no reason but if they have tar, tape glue, shelac, pvc damage, etc, It's fine to use. Is it flammable? Yes. Does it stink? Yes. So does gasoline and we put it in our cars, lawn mowers, etc. everyday.

 

Oops. Don't know why they didn't blow up?

 

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