Soldered Sovereign

[dicker]

A couple of years ago I purchased a Type II Sydney Sovereign (first year of production) that someone had soldered a loop onto, so to wear it as jewellery.  I got it at an excellent price because it had been molested. 

This winter I will be getting it out of storage and will be removing the loop.

Has anyone had any experience of unsoldering mounts from Sovs?

I suspect heat is the best method…but appreciate that solder may come in a number of forms, and may have differing melting points - Silver being higher than lead!

Has anyone successfully done similar?  

Thanks

Dicker

[Arganto]

No, but if I were to do it I would use an adjustable soldering iron. Start on the lowest wattage and hold a fine tip against the solder at the point where it's thickest (furthest away from the gold). I would then slowly up the wattage in increments, allowing the iron to come up to temp each time. You should see the solder start to wet eventually, then be ready with a solder remover with it's mobile enough.

Having the coin held in something like a mini desk clamp/fly fishing tie rig will help (with bits of cotton in the jaws to protect the coin).

[sovereignsteve]

I've not done one myself but many years ago I had a jeweller friend of mine do a couple for me. It's quite difficult to do apparently and get all the old solder off cleanly, without leaving damage marks behind.

I've seen many guineas with slight solder site damage after removing and also black marks on the gold. Any old solder can be removed by soaking in acetic acid with a little hydrogen peroxide for several hours but I would understand if this would be regarded as a step too far. There is always a chance of the surface of the gold being affected and an expert would probably be able to spot this "pickling".
Although the coin is probably severely devalued by being ex-jewellery for this to make much differemce. It does make a big difference to the eye appeal of the coin to completely rid it of solder.

If the solder doesn't contain gold, it is possible to "de-solder" it chemically but it takes days. A little heat may help. I have done this on some US gold dollars soldered on to a brooch and it worked well.
You generally find though that any coin face that has been soldered will be scratched to a degree by the process.

[dicker]

Thanks gents, appreciate your thoughts.

Best

Dicker

[gji25]

angle grinder maybe ?

 

[RoughDog]

7 hours ago, gji25 said:

angle grinder maybe ?

 

wrong angle.. that guy could do with a bath.