I just got back from a coin show to get information on storing about 200 coins. The 1st guy I spoke to suggested the 2x2 staple method and sounded repulsed when I asked about cleaning them. The next guy I spoke to also advised the 2x2 staple method, but also suggested that I first paint the coins with a very thin coat of acitone(might not be correct spelling), which can be purchased at hardware and paint stores. Which guy should I go with?
I don't recall welcoming you to the forum Owen, so I'll do it now. No contest - #1's advice is A-Number One!!! Depending on the technique used, cleaning a coin will reduce its value by at least 50% and in some cases can make a valuable coin into a worthless piece of scrap metal. For the very limited purpose of removeing PVC residue, a quick bath in pure acetone - from the hardware or paint store, not the significant other's nail polish remover containing additives/contaminants - is generally agreed to be OK for white and yellow metal coins. Use of acetone on copper/bronze is somewhat controversial, as many people believe it can alter the color of the coin. Brushing and wiping is always a bad idea, whether you use a brass or steel, bristle, or even camel hair brush; or any kind of cloth. For uncirculated coins even rubbing with a finger is a great big No-No. There have been a number of threads on the subject in this forum, which you can find by clickin on the "search" button near the top right corner of the screen, with the keyword "cleaning". When using 2x2s it is always a good idea to blow off any cardboard lint with compressed air (keyboard cleaner cans from the computer store work great), hold the coin by its edge when placing it on one of the windows, and clinch the staples flat to avoid scratching adjacent coins.
There are lots of threads on the subject owen.Most say do not clean,but a couple give advice in the off chance one needs to be cleaned,dirt from being underground,for instance. I'd just use the "search" function if I were you. Also,iv learned,when in doubt,it's best not to clean.
yeah, my coins have 40 years worth of PVC residue, so the acetone might be okay, but i'm going to play it safe and not clean them at all. Thanks.
Owen - if the coins have PVC on them - they NEED to be cleaned. If the PVC is left on the coins - it will literally eat them up. PVC residue is an acid and it will eat deeply into the surface of the coins if not removed. Dipping or even soaking in acetone is the mthod to use - do not rub or brush the coins with anything. There are very, very few circumstances where I will advocate cleaning coins in any way - this is one of them. But are you certain it is PVC residue ?
Same here - 30 years of PVC As a child in the '60s, I collected pretty complete sets of Canadian coins, getting many from my Mother and Grandmother. Thanks to my family - it is quite a collection - although all the coins are circulated many are at least 100 years old and have some value. And yes, Sigh... , I stored them all in lovely soft clear plastic pages which were in a binder. 30 years later, I pull out the binder and am interested in continuing collecting finally, and of course everything is very very green. From the sounds of it from other posts and this one, I will essentially have to wash most of my coins in acetone. So, special ones, like my 1936 quarter with a raised dot, will get devalued in the process, but at least the damage will stop. I have many many pennies from the 1900s so for those I'm hesitant to dip, but I guess I must for the silver. 3 questions: Oddly enough, some of the silver coins have no visible PVC greening effect on them, but others look like they're in a liquid almost. First: Can I skip dipping those with no visible greening? I also had some quite old paper currency as well in special folders in the same system. I guess I need to remove them from those pages too, but I guess there's nothing to stop potential damage from them being there already, I guess. Second: Is that right? Third: What happens when you place the coins in the dip for a minute? Does the green loosen up or come off? Should I use fresh acetone for each coin out of the many many dozen I must do this with? And I read after dipping for a minute, I will then rinse under the water tap and dry without rubbing - how? Thanks for your help
Howdy Flying Joe - Welcome to the Forum !! Sorry to hear of your plight But it is a story repeated all too often. Here is what I would do - others may have different suggestions. First of all go to the hardware store and get pure acetone. Then place small amounts, perhaps 1/2" deep in the bottom of small containers. Use glass if possible as acetone will disolve some plastics - or at least test it first. Dip your coins in the first, leave them for a minute or so, then place into the next container and finally into a 3rd container. I might start off with some of the less valuable coins and the dirtiest ones - to let you sort of get the hang of things. And be sure to do this in a very well ventilated area !! Now when the acetone begins to get cloudy or dirty, and it will - change it and keep on going. But it is best if each coin is given a final rinse in completely clean acetone. Then rinse in distilled water, not tap water, place the coins on a soft cotton cloth and let them air dry, perhaps turning the coins over once or twice. Do not rub, slide or move the coins around on the cloth, just gently sit them down. And yes - do this with every coin - copper and silver whether you can see anything or not. Yes I know - I say to never dip copper in acetone. Except when PVC is involved. I'm afraid you have little choice in that circumstance. As for the notes - I'm not if there is anything you can do or not. Best of luck.
Thanks... I had read all the threads that gave me a hit using coin cleaning and PVC before posting my message above, and hadn't gotten the detail you provided here. Thanks very much, GDJMSP, for the very clear instructions... I will put it into practice in the next month... Richard
