remove fingerprints and/or haze from proof coin?

[tbone]

Is there a way anyone knows of gently cleaning a proof gold coin without destroying the surface?  I have a ultra-sonic jewelry cleaner, which I've used for cleaning dirt off lesser quality coins, but scared to use on a proof gold coin. 

Also, can NCS do anything?  I plan on getting it graded in the future.

Thanks!

[sovereignsteve]

16 minutes ago, tbone said:

Is there a way anyone knows of gently cleaning a proof gold coin without destroying the surface?  I have a ultra-sonic jewelry cleaner, which I've used for cleaning dirt off lesser quality coins, but scared to use on a proof gold coin. 

Also, can NCS do anything?  I plan on getting it graded in the future.

Thanks!

NCS will be able to do it I'm sure, ask @Numistacker

Otherwise some detergent in water in an ultrasonic bath should do it, the only problem being avoiding the coin surface vibrating on the container or bath side/bottom.

[tbone]

25 minutes ago, sovereignsteve said:

NCS will be able to do it I'm sure, ask @Numistacker

Otherwise some detergent in water in an ultrasonic bath should do it, the only problem being avoiding the coin surface vibrating on the container or bath side/bottom.

Thanks @sovereignsteve !  I may try this myself (I like living on the edge ;).  Polmolive?  Baby bottle detergent?  Something else?  Or doesn't matter much?  Thanks again!

[fehk2001]

21 minutes ago, tbone said:

Thanks @sovereignsteve !  I may try this myself (I like living on the edge ;).  Polmolive?  Baby bottle detergent?  Something else?  Or doesn't matter much?  Thanks again!

please do not blame steve if you fail

[tbone]

18 minutes ago, fehk2001 said:

please do not blame steve if you fail

No, I won't.  I'm married with kids, I'm used to taking the blame

[tbone]

Its not too bad, but you can see what I mean by haze:

 

[tbone]

Quick update:  I used warm slightly soapy water in ultrasonic cleaner (didn't leave it in for very long).  Not much difference.  Looks like I'll need to pay NCS if I send to NGC for grading.  I'll update the thread when I get the results from NCS/NGC.

 

[watchdog76]

Hello and good morning all,,
I don't want to sound lame but I came on here to learn,, who is it that cleans -NCS and who is it that grades them-NGC as I'm wanting a coin grading thanks in advance

Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

[Roy]

Morning,

Yes, that's correct.

Have a look at this mate:

https://www.ngccoin.com/ncs-conservation/

[sovereignsteve]

8 hours ago, tbone said:

Quick update:  I used warm slightly soapy water in ultrasonic cleaner (didn't leave it in for very long).  Not much difference.  Looks like I'll need to pay NCS if I send to NGC for grading.  I'll update the thread when I get the results from NCS/NGC.

 

In theory, it should clean off fingerprints but I'm not sure about that haze, whatever ir is.

[tbone]

6 minutes ago, sovereignsteve said:

In theory, it should clean off fingerprints but I'm not sure about that haze, whatever ir is.

Yeah, I'd like I could be a fly on the wall to see what NCS does to remove it (if they can).  I'm thinking its some really specialized process done by a team of highly trained experts, when maybe they just dip it in acetone

[tbone]

2 hours ago, watchdog76 said:

Hello and good morning all,,
I don't want to sound lame but I came on here to learn,, who is it that cleans -NCS and who is it that grades them-NGC as I'm wanting a coin grading thanks in advance

Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk
 

Hi @watchdog76, NCS is the Conservation wing of NGC (which does the coin grading).  You can either submit a coin like this directly to NCS, who will do what they can and then send it to NGC for grading, or you can send directly to NGC (according to NGC customer service, the graders, if they notice a coin that can be helped by NCS, will suggest it to you, and if you say yes, they will forward to NCS first).  I've sent a few packages to NGC for grading, but others on this forum (like @Numistacker) are the real experts with this.

 

[watchdog76]

Il try get a picture up, and thank you for your help it's really appreciated,,

[watchdog76]

[watchdog76]

Why can I not upload photos, I have tried to pick from gallery and take a new picture, but still no joy, any help would be appreciated,, thanks

[tbone]

6 minutes ago, watchdog76 said:

Why can I not upload photos, I have tried to pick from gallery and take a new picture, but still no joy, any help would be appreciated,, thanks

I use the "choose files" link.  Once uploaded, there should be a + symbol to add the photo to your reply

[Pete]

If I had a "low value" e.g. common sovereign proof coin in this condition I would try the following -

Agitate the coin in very warm / hot soapy water or in an ultrasonic bath with some washing up liquid added.
Rinse in running water to ensure all particulates, dust etc are completely removed.
Using cotton ball q-tips paint the surfaces using acetone and ensuring the surface remains wetted with acetone gently rub the coin with the q-tip.
Rinse in warm soapy water again and then preferably in clean softened water before patting dry on a paper towel - no wiping or rubbing.

If that doesn't work then I have no answers as acetone is a powerful solvent and I have no experience using acids but that might work - if bullion condition then nothing to loose.
If the surface is damaged then nothing will restore a perfect polished field.

[sovereignsteve]

48 minutes ago, Pete said:

If I had a "low value" e.g. common sovereign proof coin in this condition I would try the following -

Agitate the coin in very warm / hot soapy water or in an ultrasonic bath with some washing up liquid added.
Rinse in running water to ensure all particulates, dust etc are completely removed.
Using cotton ball q-tips paint the surfaces using acetone and ensuring the surface remains wetted with acetone gently rub the coin with the q-tip.
Rinse in warm soapy water again and then preferably in clean softened water before patting dry on a paper towel - no wiping or rubbing.

If that doesn't work then I have no answers as acetone is a powerful solvent and I have no experience using acids but that might work - if bullion condition then nothing to loose.
If the surface is damaged then nothing will restore a perfect polished field.

Personally, I would be loath to try any form of contact for the reason given in your final sentence.

However, I've never tried it so I may well potentially sacrifice a low value proof sove such as a 1980 and try various cleaning methods.

Definitely need to final rinse in deionised or distilled water so that no mechanical drying is required.

[KevjustKev]

The thing is NCS is not a conservation service in the strict sense, they are much closer to restoration service. In a previous life was a conservator, nothing to do with coins however.