How to remove black tone form a coin.

Just got some coins with black tone on them for melt price and want to try to get it off safely. tried acitone and it didn't work. anyone got any ideas????

 

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Brillo pad (joking)

 

one coin is a 1888 S morgan

 

I fear it's on there to stay. Any other attempt to remove the black will result in removing metal.....

 

DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COINS,
All right someone was gonna say it eventually, but do it if you want, its your coin.
http://metaldetectingworld.com/cleaning_coin_p16_silver.shtml
Here is a run down of all the ways to do it, the only one I have tried is #12, the aluminum foil method. It worked a little.
Just remember you will most likely be destroying the coins value.

 

If you`re into cleaning, try fresh lemon juice. Leave the coin in it for up to 6 hours, check every 30 min or 1 hour for progress, when the "black tone" is gone, take it out and wash, preferably in distilled water.

 

Case in point.......





Sometimes a little dark toning adds a bit of character to a coin. Other times it looks ugly indeed. This one had something to say to me. I'm not a big "Booker T" fan when it comes to commem's, but I did like this one.....

 

View attachment 124783

Looks a bit strange, fields got no toning while most if it is between letters. Someone at some point tried to clean it?

 

Perhaps..... The coin just jumped out at me though. Issues or otherwise....

 

Not sure what happened to this coin, but resembles your Booker T. issue, isn't it?

 

Quite similar. And interesting indeed.

Maybe cleaned? Don't know for sure, but you did purchase it for a reason. And that's why they call us 'guys" collectors.....

 

Gives it a 3-D effect . I like it .

 

Do you have pics . The only way to safely remove tarnish is with a dip , but it will always remove a little of the coin . If it's black then that's the deepest color of toning , so to remove it will take off more of the coins surface than say gold toning .

 

"Don't clean coins" is rarely bad advice. But let's face it, professionals do it, TPG's do it, experienced collectors do it.

But they don't use aluminum foil or lemon juice or vinegar or any home remedy. They don't scrub them, or wipe them. They have experience and knowledge and a good idea of what can be done to rescue a coin. Problem is 95% of collectors don't know and they end up damaging coins. That is why we tell everyone "don't clean coins".

- Acetone is safe and removes organic crud (oil, grease, paint, PVC).
- eZest or Jeweluster (same thing) is a dip that will remove tarnish. Silver coins will turn white. It may not remove stains or other matter that has bonded to the surface. If a coin is dipped too long, or too often, it will lose its luster and appear lifeless. Nothing can restore it.
- CoinCare is a preservative that will not harm coins and may help with simple dirt and grime. Gently apply with a q-tip.
- Lengthy oil soaks can help soften crud but the coin usually needs a little help afterwards with a rose thorn or a gentle q-tip. Lots of disagreement over the type of oil. Mineral oil doesn't go rancid but others swear by olive oil.
- I'm not fond of MS70 but some folks use it to treat spots. It's not meant as a dip.
- Blue Ribbon is hard to find but cleans grime and dirt nicely. The PCGS sniffer barks at it.
- Verdicare treats verdigris and is pretty good at it. The sniffer barsk at this too, allegedly.

Beware of using anything with red copper. Results vary.

Back to "don't clean coins"...if you want to learn safe conservation, practice on junk. The OP's coin, if worth no more than melt, isn't a bad coin to experiment with.
Lance.

 

Well said , the only part I would change would be the Q tip it can pick up abrasives , I'd use an artist sable brush , real sable not the artificial ones .
Rusty

 

Perfect! I actually use a jeweler's brush. I think it's #2 or #4 but I can't remember. Whatever, a proper brush is even better. Thanks, Rusty.
Lance.

 

The black is an end stage of toning. If you aren't going to clean it, then rinse with acetone, air dry, and put in a safe holder. Unless you expose it to a lot of sulfides in the air/dust, it will stay about the same.

If you do decide to try and alleviate the black, use a diluted type such as EZest ( jeweluster). Maybe 1 part dip: 5 parts water, this will give you plenty of time to watch it and decide when the color is acceptable, I would stop at a light gray, or when the highlighted parts are getting too shiney, rinse with plenty of water, acetone, and let air dry, put into a safe holder. Using the dip straight is like cutting s birthday cake with a chain saw, if you have experience, just a little messy, first time ..........

Yes, it will damage the coin, but it is already damaged, judging from your description. A photo would give a better idea.

Jim

 

Did not purchase it, saw it about one day after I bought this coin from another eBay seller, in a better grade. Just remembered it for unusual looks.

 

Thanks i'll try this out.. Hope it works

 

Use a pencil eraser. You'd be surprised at how well it works, while restoring the original mint state luster. Best of all, the soft rubber won't damage the coin's surface.