Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Theodosius, post: 2647635, member: 77077&quot;]This coin of Valerian from Viminacium was being consumed by bronze disease.&nbsp; Every pit and depression was full of powdery green fuzz.&nbsp; It had a nice hard green patina on it but underneath the patina was the dreaded light green.&nbsp; <u>It looked like the coin was being eaten up from the inside out.</u>&nbsp; I was worried the whole fabric of the coin was riddled with BD.</p><p><br /></p><p>I tried soaking in Verdicare for several days. This had some effect, but the BD under the surface of the patina kept poking out again after a few days. Thinking I had nothing to lose I soaked the coin in a tablespoon of baking soda mixed with 50 ml of distilled water. This makes a pretty thick solution of baking soda.</p><p><br /></p><p>This baking soda ate all the green patina from the coin and did not totally remove all the light green fuzz.&nbsp; I cleaned as much off as I could, then resoaked it in Verdicare for a few days. After this, I brushed it with a soft brass brush and all the BD came off! Verdicare has the useful property of darkening coins making the lack of patina less ugly. I think the BD was working its way under the patina over the whole coin.&nbsp; Where there were holes in the patina the BD would show through. Removing it from these holes did nothing because the BD just came back. Nuking the whole patina exposed the BD where it could be neutralized.</p><p><br /></p><p>So now the coin has no patina but no BD either.&nbsp; It has been sitting on my desk for 4 weeks and the BD does not seem to be coming back.&nbsp; Not the prettiest coin but I think it has been saved from complete destruction.&nbsp; I plan to soak in distilled water a few days, then cook in the oven at 220 for 2 hours and then rennwax it.&nbsp; I don&#039;t usually use rennwax but I think in this case it is prudent.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]585110[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>If BD is under the patina on your coin, you may need to do something similar to save it???&nbsp; Post your experiences with BD both positive and negative.</p><p><br /></p><p>John[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in