Here's the coin....How shall I go about this BD nightmare? I think verdi-gone went out of business...can't find it even on ebay. How else should I do this? I just hope the coin is okay once it gets rid of the BD. This is a brockage and a pretty rare one at that. thanks stainless PS: What about this Verdi-Care?
Heavy verdigris...it's a severe problem and you have to be very careful.....assuming the coin is important to you. Under the thick layers copper will have been removed from the surface, this results in a pit. Obviously, the older the verdigris, the deeper the pit and the greater the chance details may be removed along with the verdigris. Most ancient collectors like to use mineral acid or trisodium hydrogendicarbonate solutions. These are VERY harsh methods and must be monitored closely or you'll end up with a slug. VC will most likely only remove the light to moderate verdigris. That's what it's designed for. However, I have had a couple ancient collectors tell me some of the heavier stuff can succesfully be removed with soaking and a soft brush. I would soak it for 24 hours, then flip and soak the other side for 24 hours. Then, before you take it out of the solution, try using a toothpick to prod the remaining thick stuff. Maybe try a brush too. Take it out and let it completely dry for a few days at room temperature. There's no need to rinse the coin after soaking in VC, it's best not too so the ReAcT2 has a solid bond-layer over the remaining verdigris. Just be aware, sometimes it's better the leave severe verdigris behind! It can form a layer over the devices and kind of meld with it. If you remove it, you remove detail.....I've had it happen to me many times. I think the remaining traces of verdigris lend character to coin sometimes anyway. Good Luck ...and let us know how it goes. Some after pics would be great!
Thanks for the info. I'll try it this way. One question though - Doesn't verdigris spread if I leave it? Note: This is exactly why I avoid bronze/copper coinage...silver is easier to care for (especially ancients) stainless
Verdigris requires feed materials to keep growing. Once the acidic parts of the verdigris are neutralized (VC is slightly basic) and the coin protected from air and water, verdigris cannot grow. Also, the ReAcT2 component will bind to the coin and metallic parts of the verdigris and not allow it to grow.
I second taking a brush to it in between soaks. I use denture brushes. This is just like cleaning, you need to remove layers to let the chemical attack the fresh surfaces. I would try like Thad recommends, and scrubbing with heavy, thick as you can find bristled brush in between the soaks. Btw, if you mean "silver" coins to avoid this, you must not be talking many ancient silver coins. I have seen this on "silver" coins as early as Nero.
True, but ancient silver is usually easier to clean. I'll admit that I usually avoid coins that even look like this, but this one is one of few available for him. Thanks for the info guys, I'll try this advice and post an update. stainless
Either/or to me, since I have never seen a scratch on an ancient bronze with a nylon bristle brush. I simply do not think it can happen, and I have cleaned a few thousand ancients at least. Even brass instruments do not leave scratches in the bronze, though you can scratch patina with them.
