Jump to content
British Coin Forum - Predecimal.com

50 Years of RotographicCoinpublications.com A Rotographic Imprint. Price guide reference book publishers since 1959. Lots of books on coins, banknotes and medals. Please visit and like Coin Publications on Facebook for offers and updates.

Coin Publications on Facebook

   Rotographic    

The current range of books. Click the image above to see them on Amazon (printed and Kindle format). More info on coinpublications.com

predecimal.comPredecimal.com. One of the most popular websites on British pre-decimal coins, with hundreds of coins for sale, advice for beginners and interesting information.

Sign in to follow this  
Nightvision

Rust deposits

Recommended Posts

Hi again,

I was gifted another mixed bag of predecimals this month. Got all excited. First item out of the bag was ... a rusted dog tag. Heart sank.

I now have a bunch of coins with rust deposits partially obscuring everything. I attacked a few with acetone, a cotton wool bud and a cocktail stick to see what would happen. After three hours work I was able to rescue most of a german 5 pfennig but got quite high during the process so I'd rather not repeat it. (I'm kidding, the room was ventilated - I just got really bored).

Next step, olive oil bath. Or will that most likely be a waste of time too? All tips gratefully welcomed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sadly, I haven't found anything that will remove rust spots without obliterating the coin!

I even tried dipping a coin to death once...still no good! Sorry! :(

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sandpaper and hammerite seems to have worked well with my rusty gate :ph34r:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you both. I will proceed, in the interests of science and under the assumption I probably can't make matters worse!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you come up with any satisfactory solution, please let us know! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Something to try. Lightly rub the rust with an ordinary pencil, soft lead preferred. Now take a pencil eraser and rub off. It takes off a layer of the looser corrosion without any perceivable damage to the coin. Repeat as required.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh, and your fingers will be covered in shiny grey greasy graphite for hours. Wear gloves.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Iron is normally removed best with an acid than an alkaline cleaner. Having said that both as you know can change the patina of the coin. If I was in this situation you just need to separate out low value/high value. I would use a very weak organic acid solution say 1-5% like oxalic acid or confer with a chemist locally who can give you more options of organic acids (i.e., mild by nature as compared to mineral acids like hydrochloric) that are available in a hardware store.

It works FINE.

John Lorenzo

Numismatist

United States

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

×