Australian-Coins Forum

Australian Coins, Banknotes and Exonumia => Australian Pre-Decimal Coins => Topic started by: coxspau on January 14, 2015, 04:09:17 PM

Title: Verdigris running amok
Post by: coxspau on January 14, 2015, 04:09:17 PM
As part of renewing my focusing on pre-decimals for a while, I decided to start on updating my records.

While going through my type set penny collection (stored in 2x2 saflips), I noticed that an unusual number of coins had developed small pockets of verdigris.

I am somewhat suprised and disappointed about how many coins are now showing signs of it.

At this stage, I'm resigning myself to writing down all the infected coins and replacing them with non-infected coins. There are no serious losses, ie. nothing over VF, but it's still disheartening.

Does anyone know any tips for removing small amounts of verdigris? Does this infringe on the concept of a non-cleaned coin?

FWIW, I have now bought a Jeweller loop with LED so hopefully I won't get stung on this issue again, although I haven't gone through my halfpennies yet, so not sure what I'll find there.
Title: RE: Verdigris running amok
Post by: robbiegal on January 14, 2015, 04:12:12 PM
yep yep happens to me
I have been going through my pennies and am finding little marks growth etc
Title: RE: Verdigris running amok
Post by: robbiegal on January 14, 2015, 05:43:07 PM
the peril of the bronze
Title: RE: Verdigris running amok
Post by: Fordprefect on January 14, 2015, 06:03:57 PM
The pain of the penny :dodgy:

If they were mine, I'd drench those worth saving,
(Including '25's and '46's) with WD40/RP7 or the like
until all "Green" is gone. Drench in acetone after.

Better a Green free coin than worrying about whether
to classify if it's been cleaned or not.(It Has)
Title: RE: Verdigris running amok
Post by: Mister T on January 14, 2015, 09:50:22 PM
Quote from: 'Fordprefect' pid='65283' dateline='1421220837'Better a Green free coin

So true - green is nothing but heart-ache.
Title: RE: Verdigris running amok
Post by: Fulvio on January 15, 2015, 01:23:42 AM
Quote from: 'Fordprefect' pid='65283' dateline='1421220837'If they were mine, I'd drench those worth saving,
(Including '25's and '46's) with WD40/RP7 or the like
until all "Green" is gone. Drench in acetone after.

This, definitely.

WD40 won't hurt the coins, but make sure they don't overlap. I had a nasty experience with a galvanic reaction in olive oil that turned some dollars dark brown where they were touching, and while that probably wouldn't happen in oil, better safe than sorry.

This reminds me actually.. I've got a jar with some 2ยข coins that have been in RP7 for about two years now.. must find them and have a look. ;)

Also, don't expect the oil to dissolve built-up verdigris. You may need to resort to some gentle prising with a toothpick to shift that.