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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Herberto, post: 25416196, member: 74222&quot;]For some time ago I spoke with an experienced conservator employed by the university and museums.</p><p><br /></p><p>We spoke about the so-called “Bronze Disease”, and I had some questions. Here is what I’ve been told by the conservator:</p><p><br /></p><p>A cobber coin in earth will consist of a base metal, 3 layers of patinas and lastly a layer of dirt. The patinas are layered in this order: black, red, green(blue). However, the layers of patina on coins are uneven, and that is why your coin can have different pockets of different patinas based on how deep they are cleaned.</p><p><br /></p><p>There is a difference between green patina and the so-called “Bronze Disease”, which is feared among coin collectors for no reason:</p><p><br /></p><p>Green patina is, as mentioned, just a patina. Green patina has dark color and is smooth.</p><p><br /></p><p>The so-called “Bronze Disease” is actually copper chloride. “Bronze Disease” has a bright color and is crusty, which can fall of if you scratch it.</p><p><br /></p><p>Why does the so-called “Bronze Disease” appear? Because the copper comes in contact with sweat, soil, cooking or moisture. Then it will make the so-called “Bronze Disease”. The so-called “Bronze Disease” is actually made by the copper, and it will sprout through the patina(s).</p><p><br /></p><p>So, basically, if you have sweat on your finger, and you touch the coins, theoretically you can create Bronze Disease.</p><p><br /></p><p>However, the “Bronze Disease” is actually NOT contagious. It cannot spread. I asked the conservator whether his other colleagues agree, and I was told that any serious schools of conservatory across the world agree that it is not contagious.</p><p><br /></p><p>Basically, if you have 90 copper coins without “Bronze Disease”, and you put it in a tray (or even a bag) with 10 other coins with “Bronze Disease”, then it will not spread. Because copper chloride is not contagious.</p><p><br /></p><p>So, if any of you are well-informed on this topic and is convinced that what I&#039;ve written is nonsense, please tell me.</p><p><br /></p><p>And if you particularly is convinced that “Bronze Disease” is contagious, please tell me also.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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