A question about Restoration Methods

Bottom line is, since you didn't acquire the coin from the mint/bank, you don't know what's been done to it. It clearly has not aged well and has issues.

 

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Actually, acetone is a polar, organic solvent so many organic compounds WILL dissolve in acetone, especially if the carbon chain is on the short side. For the longer chain organic compounds the best choice is xylene.

In general, all conservation projects should follow the Polarity Ladder: water, acetone and then xylene if the first two fail.

 

GDJMSP:

You're saying the longer the green stays on the more damage will occur. That's a good nugget.

It could be PVC and not from coin flips. We have another newer group of coins that the son of the woman hoarded. They were found in 1985 in a gallon bucket full of silver coins that the son hoarded. A few of them were also covered in this green.

 

Thad:

Are there other items if water, acetone and xylene all fail? Do you apply xylene in the same manner?

 

Uh...no. Water is a miserable solvent for almost all organics, that is unless you put in some soap or surfactant, which I know you hate. Acetone is really the most universal solvent for most organics. If they resist acetone, could try xylene. BTW, toluene is really good too, if you don't mind the smell.

 

Actually all organics are based on carbon molecule chains (No carbon based molecules, not organic) which is why the carbon based solvents like acetone, and xylene work so well.

 

Agree with you that water is good for ordinary dirt and grime, but dirt and grime are not organic, they are inorganic. Organic is stuff like grease, oil, fingerprints, paint, etc. Acetone is better for them (or xylene or toluene).

 

Indeed...but you have this wrong. Organic molecules are generally insoluble in water unless they are very short-chain and polar. Water is a highly polar solvent and, in chemistry, like dissolves like. Acetone and xylene are best for removing organic residues.

 

There are MANY solvents in the world, just most of them are not available to the average consumer. I stick with recommending solvents that are available to most people and safe to use.

As far as "application", I always recommend soaking in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid, followed by a rinse with the same fresh, clean solvent.

 

Not totally disagreeing with you, always start with water.

 

I have tried acetone and water on wornslick silver quarters that will never be more than silver. Water is a little more effective. It takes off some of green, but not all. This likely has been there for 70 years or so. I have left some coins in acetone for over a week. The tooth pick does take off some spots and acetone appears to make that a little easier.