OK Here we go folks. The conclusion as I know it and I apologize for the wait but Life happens. I tried to make it to the point and we will start the new thread tonight and I hope we continue on our journey in this great subject and the mystery's of finding out what our finds are and how to preserve them.
SHARKPIT COOKIE CONCLUSION
Well I have thought about this whole experiment and the objects as they have emerged and the conditions in which they existed prior to our trying to identify and save them.
I have determined the 1st batch of cookies a success. The reason is simple we were able to identify two of the three coins and gained valuable knowledge of what appears to work in this condition and what doesn?t.
The fact that the coins eventually disintegrated was not a fault of the process, but because we tried several methods to bring out more detail in the coins to further the identification of them.
After the initial electrolysis we used some chemicals and some mechanical methods of trying to gain more detail.
The brief re-cap of these are as follows: 1st Electrolysis, second a variety of chemicals including Tarnex, Soda Ash, Oxalic acid, Hot Hydrogen Peroxide, Lemon Juice, Mineral Spirits, Ammonia and generic Surfactants.
The Mechanical efforts included these tools, A Dremel tool with various attachments, wood toothpicks,
Cotton swabs, Tooth brushes, Small hobby paint brushes, tweezers, digital camera with Macro and the last tool A Good Magnifying glass with a secondary magnifier.
Through the first Topic we saw these transformations and the Pictures helped describe the process. This brings up one of the most important tools. The Camera and the Catalog of pictures. The camera was invaluable not only in the documentation of the progress but to also help in the stages of the types of treatment and the conclusions to those treatments. My only regret is I lost a set of pictures on the Indian head which had more detail but I believe I erased them accidentally. The other issue is. I need to label the pictures better for my own filing and reference but this will be easier the second batch.
Conservation
The deeper subject of conservation of these objects is also the ultimate goal but we need to define what conservation of a coin or any object is first and then develop a strategy to accomplish this.
If I had been more careful with the Barber towards the end I believe it would have been able to have been conserved. This is also true of the Indian Head Penny.
We had the coins whole or at least in an identifiable condition and in a coin like form even with their corroded edges and delaminating. Should I have stopped the process at that point? Yes.
Imagine if one of these coins was the last object of its kind. Where do you stop the cleaning and trying to unearth the last detail imaginable?
The answer is simple.
You stop when the object starts to deteriorate past its identifiable features that you have already uncovered.
I believe this to be the simple rule and I will follow it from here on out.
The final step at this point is to preserve what you have for ever. This is also a whole new point in conservation which is as unique as the process of restoration and completes the process of conservation.
A New Hobby
Since I am not a professional conservator I have decided to call myself an Amateur Conservator.
I am in the process of buying either a Lamda rectifier or a Lamda precision voltage frequency modulated power supply. I have also been researching different techniques of restoration and conservation of objects. My library grows larger by the week.
In conclusion I want to thank everyone on the forum for the encouragement and support.
I would also like to thank Conservator for his role and support.
Last but not least my greatest and profound gratitude to Rtde3 for his having the faith and trust in me to help him with his Treasured finds.
The journey continues. Sharkpit 2 is coming to a thread near you.