Acetone - Morgans - Before and After

This is in regards to this thread.
Some folks were asking for before and after pictures when using acetone on uncirculated Morgan dollars.
Haven't had time to go through a process and photograph a new coin. Also found out I need a macro lens to get a decent image with my camera.
Ended up taking some quick scans of the slabbed coins, used the same scanner, and tried to match the size to the "before" scans.
Not sure if it's going to be a good comparison. Slabbed coins seem out of focus. Can't remember the exact contrast and brightness settings I used on the earlier scans.
With all that said.... here are some images of four of my favorites from the group.

1878-P Reverse of 78
BEFORE



AFTER




1880-O
BEFORE



AFTER




1881-P
BEFORE



AFTER




1881-CC
BEFORE



AFTER




How did they grade?

 

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Nice coins!!

 

Thank you very much for the pictures. I appreciate it. It almost looks like the only thing it did was remove a haze(or dust) off the coin. Very cool and thanks again.

 

Ive used acetone to remove glue and other things from common mexico coins, worked great.

Beautiful morgans btw!

 

I've used acetone to dissolve a number of nasty things on my coins over the years, tape residue, etc.

 

Can you describe your process of using the acetone, and how long you had the coins in it?

 

Shall we call you Dr. nesvt?

 

Please don't. :smile I really don't want to be associated with coin doctors.... even though it appears some of you think I am.

I'm still a bit confused. I use acetone to remove PVC and haze. I don't know thousands of coin collectors, but of those I do know... 90% of them use acetone. I know many collectors that use acetone before submitting any coin to a TPG... whether they see PVC or not.

I see the words like "dip" and "dipped". From what I've read, this always referred to an acid based chemical like e-zest. It actually removes metal. Don't think acetone does this, but I'm no chemist.

On the flip side, acetone removes organic material.... like oil from fingers. I've had circulated coins with PVC that I've had mixed results with when using acetone. Sometimes the PVC comes off and the coins looks fine. Sometimes the PVC comes off and so does the oil that was holding all of the dirt and grime into the devices. You can easily end up with an ugly coin.

How do I use it? Here are some links (though I didn't read them all).
PCGS describes the process as preservation and says it "probably saves from ruin".
ANACS has very detailed instructions on their site too.

link1

link2

 

i have a few 60's proof nickels that have some great colors on them but also have residue from mint cellophane packages. i want to get it off as it detracts from the coin but was afraid to try anything at the risk or damaging the coloring. would acetone be safe for me?? just curious :thumb:

 

Well I personally don't think using acetone makes you a coin doctor. What few collectors and dealers I know have and do use acetone. I have no plans to use it on any of my coins, but I do like learning. If I did do something like this it would be on pocket change for my albums.

 

Hi can you use acetone in a ultrasonic cleaner and will that be safe thanks

 

I'd be afraid that an ultrasonic cleaner would be abrasive and damage the surface of the coin.

 

Whoa! Nice coins!

 

Safe?

Sounds like something you might want to do~if you stuck it in your underwear and took on a plane flight.

Let us know how that works out for ya.dd:

 

thanks for your reply just courios

 

Just a friendly reminder that acetone and its vapors are vey flammable. It should not be used around electric appliances.

 

I like the eraser gets the soap residue of my coins that my grandma "washed"

 

here is one of them. you can see towards the bottom on the collar there is some cellophane along with some adhesive .can this be fixed with acetone?? it came right out of the mint pack that was sealed. the half the dime and this nickel were all toned in this set. the penny and quarter are deep mirror beauties:smile