...until I got my encyclopedia (which I'm still waiting for to arrive). But, I figured since I wasn't annoying you all with questions, I'd share my first acetone attempts. I don't think it it went too well. Either I didn't soak them long enough, or I picked specimans that were too far gone to begin with. Some of you may recognize the first one as the previous post with the "eye anomaly". But, here we go... First 2 pics will be "before" and next 2 pics will be "after".
Oops. I guess I should say I went with 3 bowls of acetone, and 1 with distilled water. Soaked each coin about 20 seconds in each bowl, rinsed in the distilled water, and allowed them to air dry.
And why did you do this and what were you expecting??? I guess if just experimenting you got the results, not much right? Acetone is really not for copper so much that would be silver or nickle. For the time being don't do nothing for copper esp. if mint state. Copper is the "least forgiving" of all metals when it come to dips, rinses or cleaning.
aND? and? Waiting for update Photos. Being one who has "family" coins, many have been through multiple floods & such, wonder what happens to damaged coins when "conservation" efforts are attempted. I think all the paper stuff has floated to the Gulf by now. But some I would love to remove enough crude to at least reveal the dates & denominations. Some that sunk but recovered from the living room ottoman from downstream really cry out for relief.
Acetone will work on early PVC, most tape residue, and some glues. I some cases it will loosen dirt. It will not affect anything that has disturbed the surface of the coin. Outside of that, acetone will probably do nothing. Your coins do not look like they fit any of those categories
....for your next project, i'd like you to take on a challenge that would please me and others. see what you can do with those annoying spots that are so widespread on the lincoln cents! we'll really really appreciate a safe method that works to solve this problem! GOD'S SPEED!!!:bow:
The only cure I know of and have found is get the good ones to begin with. If anyone ever finds a way to remove these spots from mint state copper without altering the surface they will be rich. In most cases it would also "put me out of buisness" because I'm the guy that takes the time to buy boxes and boxes, rolls and bags, mints sets and proof sets to find those ones without the spots in the first place. In memorials you can to but you must throw away a bunch of otherwise nice stuff to "get at it" - I have found "no other way"!
