I have been collecting silver bullion pieces for the last several months. For the ones that are of new mint but have been handled at least a little bit is there a way to clean them so they don't show fingerprints or palm prints over time. I put them in protectors as soon as I get them but if there was a way to clean them to also protect the finish for long term. I have no intention to misrepresent them, I just want them to remain as pristine as possible. My first thought was either Q-tips or a soft cloth and acetone. Is this a bad idea? Any other suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Soak them in pure acetone then rinse them with fresh pure acetone. Simple however acetone is highly flammable and the vapors are noxious. If your just removing finger oils a short 5-10mins soak will do
Thanks! I have worked with acetone and know how to handle it. Just wanted to know if there was something abort it and silver that was a bad thing. Again Thanks!
Acetone is completely neutral to silver; use it with confidence. That said, it will not (nor will anything else) remove established fingerprints (more than a week or two old). You'd have to strip the surfaces with acid to remove fingerprints. That's why everyone in numismatics panics when they see someone handle a coin with finger pads on the fields. A fingerprint is forever.
Make sure you use pure acetone, like you can get from a hardware store. Don't use something like fingernail polish remover and the like, as these have other chemicals added as well that are detrimental to the coin. Acetone will also dissolve plastics. A shallow glass container works best for soaking. Make sure to rinse the coin with fresh acetone after the soak, to remove contaminants loosened by the soak. After, you can stand the coin up on its edge to dry, on something like a paper towel next to a vertical surface. This allows any remaining liquid to drip down off of the coin. You don't want it to evaporate on the surface and leave contaminants behind.
The term "bullion" covers a lot of territory. If you're referring to generic rounds, I don't think the appearance really matters. It will only be worth the spot price of silver no matter how bad or good it looks. Chris
I do have some silver rounds that I am not concerned with. I am probably going to buy the first of the Pirate 2 oz. rounds to complete my set and the picture sent me is in the palm of his hand. That and a couple of others that I will clean is what brought me to ask this question. Glad to know about acetone. I thought that would be the answer but good to know for sure. That is what I will do. Again Thanks!
You have it a bit wrong. Acetone is so volition that it evaporates in about 2-3 seconds that's what the second rinse of clean acetone is for, to remove the contaminants. By the time he lays it down on a soft towel after the second rinse the acetone is completely gone
It depends. Some coins have tight nooks like edge lettering and such and it can take a bit longer, but it's a good habit to use that is universal for any dip.
Agreed but even the nooks and crannies will be acetone free in say 10 seconds tops. It's when.you rinse with distilled water instead of more acetone that dry time is a factor though
