Wanted to here some thoughts on taking sets like this apart. After 20 years, it's time for me to bust an early Comm. half set. A few are AU and the rest are in the 63 to 66 range. I'm looking at sending about 20% of the set in for grading and that's where my questions come in. #1 I'm thinking I should give every coin an acetone bath before it goes into a fresh holder and maybe on to be graded? Seems like a good way to get rid of the dust and leave the surface of the coin stable? Would love to here other thoughts. #2 In todays market, would you use NGC or PCGS for early commemoratives? It's a tough choice for me at this point.
I would not give each coin an acetone bath, after all, the coins should be fine as is. There is no question whatsoever in my mind that PCGS coins sell more quickly and for more money, on average.
I would only use medical grade filtered compressed air that was manufactured with oil-less compressors. Regular oil sealed compressors can produce a ultrafine oil vapor in the air. if the air being compressed is not properly dried before hand, water vapor is also a problem. If the can does not make mention of these, it is just compressed regular air , such as for tires or nooks and cranny dusting. A coin that has been stored for long periods and shows no problem should be fine without treatment, but if careful study shows any problem that acetone might help solve beforehand, I would do so myself. Jim
If it's just dust that you think might be on the coins from the Dansco I'd do a quick rinse with distilled water and pat dry, nothing more should be necessary.
Well said Jim. You nailed the important parts of using compressed air. I have actually been buying and selling these type of compressors for the past 30 years at work. I should probably just buy one but thought the acetone might be an easy/lazy way out. I gave up on cans way back. Maybe it's changed but I could never tell what was actually in the can.
Not to hijack but has anyone used than canned 'air' that is meant for dusting off electronics and such? Can we look forward to the remainder that are not sent in for grading to be found in the 'for sale' section?
