On a related note - it seems to make sense to me to use a little soap and warm water to wash the dirt off of coins I pull out of circulation - like say the new pennies or quarters, dollars, etc... Would seem to make sense that getting some of that loose dirt/grease off them (thinking that they have been only briefly in circulation) before storing them would be better than putting them away with dirt on that would later cause corrosion.
yes, respirator.Spellcheck didn't light up so I didn't notice. Ahh, the good old days. How did we survive anyway? Jim
what about firing in kiln ? Has anyone experimented with firing badly soiled coins in a kiln for a short period of time to make the corroded metals re-adhere to the coin upon cooling ?
I have some background in ceramics and my own kiln, and it is possible to eliminate oxidation during a heat process by burning off the oxygen ( mothballs seem to be a favorite in electric kilns, and just a reducing flame in gas or Raku kilns). I think you could do similar experiments in an oven, perhaps covering the coins with a powdered charcoal. CAUTION: I do think this is a bad idea indoors. I suspect the end result will be worse than the initial, but I have always been an experimenter. Be cautious with the mothballs. only 1 or 2 at a time through the "firehole" and only in outdoor kiln. Better to sell the coin and buy better one Jim
