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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;desertgem, post: 3362643, member: 15199&quot;]I realize that many of the ancient coin groups refer to it as a &quot;disease&quot;, (as it will spread if not totally removed). But it is not a life form, it is a chemical reaction, and probably only the exposure of a metal coin with mercury produces such a permanent process in amalgamation. Otherwise water ( whether by itself or containing reactive ions such as acids , sulfur compounds, oxides, etc.&nbsp; is needed for the reactions to occur. It doesn&#039;t reverse the damage by removing it, but lack of water in the environment can prevent such continuation.&nbsp; I believe that careful choice of chemical agents can remove such damage far better and with less physical damage to the coin than mechanical. But each collector is entrusted with coins and make their own decisions, but I suspect far more coins are damaged by mechanical cleaning than chemical cleaning.&nbsp; Jim[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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