World of Coins

Collecting coins => Cleaning, conservation and storage => Topic started by: Figleaf on February 06, 2009, 09:23:24 PM

Title: Improving visibility
Post by: Figleaf on February 06, 2009, 09:23:24 PM

This is a dollar 1890 Goerach Batoe. That may not be self-evident for you, because it has a particularly ugly patina destroying all contrast. Only the South-Western part of the text has some contrast left.

I have manipulated the picture to get the letters to show as well as possible. Would anyone have any ideas as to how to improve visibility without getting a shiny-shiny token?

Peter

Title: Re: Improving visibility
Post by: translateltd on February 06, 2009, 11:18:21 PM

Important question: what's it made of?

Title: Re: Improving visibility
Post by: Figleaf on February 06, 2009, 11:33:29 PM

It's colour is darker than brass, yet, I suspect it is some kind of copper amalgamam.

Peter

Title: Re: Improving visibility
Post by: bruce61813 on February 08, 2009, 01:11:25 AM

Peter, try soaking the coin in a mixture of baking soda [sodium bi-carbonate, 5 parts] and washing soda [sodium carbonate, 8 parts] mix 10 grams of this in 200 ml of distilled water [or de-mineralized] . Let it soak for 24 hours, then brush with a nylon brush [like a stiff tooth brush] and some liquid soap. You can continue the soak and scrub for awhile, it should help.

Bruce

Title: Re: Improving visibility
Post by: Figleaf on February 13, 2009, 08:45:07 PM

Thanks Bruce!

Peter