Coin Album Storage

[markn]

And, silver coins from 1938 on are 40% copper so they are not immune to verdigris; although it is uncommon with them.
Earlier silver coins are sterling silver (97.5% silver) and immune to green.

I think you mean 1948.

Main problem with silver coins is tarnish (black areas) but not all black is tarnish. It is possible to remove tarnish with aluminium foil, hot water and bi-carb soda but that will leave the coins dull and, as I said, not all black is tarnish so dark areas will remain.

Do not use this method of cleaning on any numismatic coins.  It's a form of electrolysis and it will ruin a coin.  You are warned.

[Fordprefect]

I think you mean 1948.

No, for Australian its from 1946 :dash1:

And, all Australian Pre Decimal Silver contain copper and not immune.
All can be infected by verdi, especially if the silver coin is also suffering from a Black Silver Oxide attack.
Getting to be fairly common in the post '46 circulated grade coins.

What's the best way to remove / neutralise verdigris

There is no Safe Method to remove verdigris, the best you can do at the moment is to treat it with an acid which will damage the surface.
Lemon Juice if you must, I wouldn't :angel:
Very unusual for Decimal silver to be infected?
Are they silver or Cupro ?
Rob

[no cool names left]

sorry I should be more specific. The coins are cupro

[JeffH]

Whoops,
Typo with the date!

Decimal "silver" are copper (75%), nickel (25%) except, of course for the 1966, round 50¢, which is 80% silver.

"Do not use this method of cleaning on any numismatic coins. It's a form of electrolysis and it will ruin a coin. You are warned." I did say "that will leave the coins dull" and "Best advice here is to keep this technique for your teaspoons and just give coins a soak with acetone.".

Getting an interesting discussion going here. Keep it coming. Sorry naomi_j86 we are probably starting to fly over your head.

Jeff

[Fordprefect]

Do not use any acid or acid like concoction on Cupro.
The metal reaction is destructive.

What Rare Cupro coin are we talking about ?

[enworb]

Other than rare errors and the wavy 66 what rare cupros are there???

[no cool names left]

Hey Enworb, I started writing my personal list but then realised you had it covered in the first four words of your comment.
might as well complete the list and hope it doesn't side track the post. 66 wavy, 2003 5 cent ram strike, rotated dies, (66 10c, 2001 20 cent, 2010 50 cent) a number of partial collars. and a few more not so rare ones. A few of these coins have verdigris or black staining.

Another  problem with storage I find is that I fill up spots in a catergorised  album sheets and then find more coins and have to work out how to reshuffle the album in an orderly fashion to accommodate the new coins. If a collection is out growing your album what systems would you recommend to meet the needs of a growing collection?

thanks
NCNL
Ps Sorry naomi_j86, I feel like I'm hijacking your post. Hopefully my issues will also address some of your concerns.
NCNL

[naomi_j86]

I'm following along, and everything addressed here has saved me asking it!
Thanks all, I know I'm going to have an amazing coin album very soon!
~Naomi.

[enworb]

They sound like some decent errors. I wouldnt touch the verdigris personally. I find that a litttle olive oil can remove very light verdigris on copper coins but if it is older and more ingrained it is basically impossible. The only verdigris i have seen on cupro decimals is well established and nothing could be done to remove it.

[Fordprefect]

NCNL

You are in a Numismatic Catch 22 with the Cupro/Verdi.
Do nothing the verdi will continue to eat your coin.
Try removing it, you will damage the coin.
The end result is the same, a coin no one realy wants
and a greatly reduced value.

If it's a high grade Decimal with lustre don't even try, you will fail.
Use a cotton bud a spot of vaseline/Petroleum Jelly on the infected area
bung ii in a Acrylic Capsule and store it seperate to your collectables.
NGC a Third Party grader do offer a conservation service (At a Price)
and if your coin does belong in the "Rare" catergory could be an avenue
you may wish to explore. (Google is your friend)
Link to :-
NCS
enworbs Olive Oil has been a path well trodden with greatly variable end results.
The Fatty Acids that are present in olive oil varies between grade and producer, I've tried it but results achieved would suggest to me not to bother. (Have only used it on Copper)

If you must attempt a rescue, use an average well circulated coin first.
Give it a very thorough Acetone bath with lots of aggitation, this could
reveal that your "Verdi" is some other contamination and the Acetone
will usually remove them without harming the coin surface.

If the dreaded Green is still present you can now decide a petrochemical
attack. WD40/RP7 type sprays have been known to arrest the verdi growth. Place coin in Acrylic Coin capsule virtually fill the capsule with spray, bung on lid and have a look next month, it will take time.
They won't remove the crusty carbon clump just stop the growth.
Mechanical removal will cause more surface damage.

The moral here is Don't Buy problem coins in the first place.
If you found them from circulation, good luck to you.
Rob

[no cool names left]

Thanks Rob and enworb for the very detailed response. I'm sure many of us will benefit from it.  Iv'e tried the olive oil for about 4 months on a 1992 barcelona dollar coin found in circulation with some green stuff on it. No luck.
I will give the the petroleum jelly and Acrylic capsule next.

thanks
NCNL

[Mister T]

Will saflips ever loosen or should they stay reasonably firm? I've had some for a while and they seem decent.
I dropped one this morning and it cracked though.

[purplepennyhunter]

They can crack. I've only ever had that happen if I have a bigger coin in there. Doesn't happen very often.

[Mister T]

Yeah, I think it just landed on the wrong side.
So they shouldn't stretch or anything with age?

[purplepennyhunter]

No they shouldn't.