I went to an estate auction today with my father. He bid on a real nice set of Indian Cents but got bid out at the last minute. So with auction remorse he bought Lincoln cents. The first two books looked like a good deal. The third and old dansco has some real nice memorial cents from the 60's. But like I said old dansco=pvc. Some of th coins have started to get green pvc slime on them. I feel bad for my father, but is their any way of cleaning and stopping the pvc on the ones that it has started on? Also on the ones that it appears are ok, should any preventative dip in distilled water are acetone be done? I've always seen pvc damaged coins and stayed away from them, but I'm just trying to help my old man out on this one. Thanks for you help guys.
Not much choice but to use acetone, and on all of them. Just because you can't see it right now doesn't mean it isn't there. Just don't be surprised if some or all of the coins turn some starnge colors. But better weird colors than having the surface of the coin eaten away.
I agree GD I think they all need to be treated. So once I use acetone, i should rinse them with water, right?
Yes. Acetone and a water rinse. Pat dry. You cannot reverse any damage done, but you can prevent further damage. Fortunately, the Memorial cents are not of high value.
A lot of people always tell you to pat a coin dry because that's what they have heard or read elsewhere. But that doesn't mean that it is the way to go. Any time you touch the surface of a coin with a cloth or paper towel you run the risk of creating a hairline. Much easier, and better for the coin to avoid it. I have posted this numerous times but here we go again. To remove PVC from a coin use pure acetone. Get 4 different containers, 3 of them with acetone in them, and dry clean cloth. In the first soak the coin for a bit, that may mean a few minutes or an hour. In very bad cases it may be overnight. But then remove the coin and place it in the second container, usually a minute or so is enough. Then dip the coin the third container, and then dip it in the container with the distilled water. Then stand the coin on edge, on the cloth, up against something and allow it to air dry.
If I might add a comment for the fist time acetone dipping. Before you do as Doug mentions, test your containers. Some new users use plastics that also dissolve in acetone creating a large mess. When you get the containers, put some acetone in it and see if it turns cloudy. If so, find another type of container. One with a top is also useful for the first one as acetone evaporates so fast. Be sure the top is also immune to acetone. Turn off any open flames! Jim
expert advise above, I would add nothing to it. Why did I even comment? Blame it in the med's this week I am only 1/2 here in good times, autopilot the rest. When sic and medicated? fagetaboutit
Jim- thanks for pointing out the plastic acetone idea. I was gonna PM you about that. I know you said you use your old Rx medicine holders. I have scratched the rims of coins and dropped them (ouch) in the glass cups so they make very nervous. I think I am done with glass. Off to acetone some plastic cups and see. As far as air drying I am too impatient so I use compressed air and hold with plastic coin tongs (the coin). They say the air has sulfites, but unless high value MS red copper it's no big deal to me.
I haven't tested them yet, but recently I picked up some of those Glad food storage containers. Some are quite small holding just a few ounces of liquid, and all come with those tight seal covers. The reason why I mention them is because there's not a hard edge to be found on them anywhere... it's all smooth rounded corners inside and out. Again, I haven't tested to see if they are Acetone friendly yet, but I'm hopeful!
Just remember that compressed air is only air. In most instances, unless so stipulated on the can, it is not filtered, cleaned, etc. It is just air. If inflated in an area where the wrong substances are present, that goes into the can. There are some compressed air cans that stipulate for fine types of work such as camera or computer components. Otherwise just air. Of course there is a chance filled near a bar so might contain a whiff of a Martini. :smile
