Zinc Coins from Peru

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by khs, Jan 7, 2004.

  1. khs

    khs New Member

    I've come across some zinc coins from the 50's & 60's. They've been store in 2x2 mylar flips. They appear to have some kind of white powder on the rims. It looks like the design is being eaten away by this powder? Can anyone tell me what this might be and if there is any way to stop the damage?

    Thanks
     
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  3. Tbirde

    Tbirde Senior Member

    Sorry, your coin is rusting away and is beyond hope. Zinc reacts to any kind of moisture, such as humidity, and the resulting chemical reaction is like the rust that iron often suffers. This zinc rust produces the white powder which is the coin's zinc surface literally dissolving away.
     
  4. laz

    laz New Member

    tbirde is correct as usual. Your coin suffers from a common ailment in base metal coins like Aluminum,Zinc,and Tin, called tin pest. (This is a fancy name for oxidation.) From day one,these metals are in a continuous state of deterioration,and it's very difficult to make them stable. :rolleyes: If anyone knows of a good way to stablize these metals,it would be a GREAT time to speak up! lol ~ Jim
     
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