How To Clean Coins Burned In A Fire
Replies: 12 / Views: 14,094
Pillar of the Community
United States
1386 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 2:51 pm 
I've come a cross a few coins that look like they have been in a fire. Black soot and some stuff stuck on them. One I can tell is a Wheat penny, but can't tell a date. Is there a good way to "clean" them without damaging? I've seen the acetone posts, but wasn't sure if the reaction with the soot or debris would damage the coin. ANy and all help is greatly appreciated!
Pillar of the Community
Canada
581 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 2:52 pm
Acetone I believe is your best bet!
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 3:46 pm
The vast majority of coins that have been through a fire are a lost cause, they are permanently damaged.
Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10742 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 3:55 pm
, with biockemist6 I really don't believe you can make them any better, I've tried...don't work.
True North
Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 4:44 pm
I think that if you did manage to get the soot off, you would find that you had a damaged coin.
If you want to try acetone, go ahead. It might take many tries to get anywhere.
That being said ... it sounds like they are so far gone that anything you might want to try would be okay.
Moderator
Australia
13883 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 4:55 pm
The problem with fire is that it does cause an intense chemical reaction, especially with base-metals such as copper. For a typical house fire, what happens is that you get a very thick, black oxide forming. This is the metal itself starting to burn. The oxide layer thus formed is quite deep, deeper than any toning layer formed through normal-conditions circulation. The coin is, therefore, already damaged, before you even start cleaning. All that cleaning will do is remove the oxide layer and charred debris and reveal just how damaged the coin actually is.
You can clean it off using the standard harsh methods we always warn people not to use on coins (acidic chemicals, electric brush, etc) but I can guarantee that you will end up with a "cleaned coin" afterwards. Now, a "cleaned coin" is better than no coin at all, which is what you'll basically have if you don't clean it. But unless you manage to unearth a super-rare date or variety, you're not going to end up with a coin most collectors would actually want to keep, or spend much money to buy.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
Moderator
United States
105770 Posts
Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 5:24 pm
I've tried a variety of methods for coins I've pulled from burnt buildings, found with a metal detector.
Nothing worked. You just end up with a chunk of metal you can barely call a coin.
Bedrock of the Community
United States
62322 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 5:26 pm
Lost cause, I'm afraid.
to the CCF!
Pillar of the Community
United States
1386 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 5:27 pm
It may not have been a fire, but that's my best guess. But thanks for the info.
Moderator
United States
105770 Posts
Posted 11/21/2016 5:30 pm
If you are not sure what caused it, you may want to read this and try with a few of the coins that you do not mind experimenting with...
http://goccf.com/t/57008#447106
Pillar of the Community
United States
664 Posts
Posted 11/28/2016 07:13 am
Maybe it IS a lost cause, but I agree with trying on a few coins you think are worth risking. Otherwise if you're like me, you'll always wonder if you threw away the Holy Grail. LOL.
Pillar of the Community
Norway
1358 Posts
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How To Clean Coins Burned In A Fire
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