Gentle dirt memoval from Indian Head?

ne_seeker · Jul 14, 2007

Can anyone provide details of a gentle washing technique that will remove dirt (only) from an Indian Head?

I would like to clean up my latest find but like to leave coins in a somewhat "natural" state. I just don't want to scratch things up removing the dirt coating.

Thanks for the help.

booker · Jul 14, 2007

I have soaked mind in just hot water for a while and get most of the dirt off

SeabeeRon · Jul 14, 2007

nice coin!!
like to see it after the dirt is off.

Homerun04 · Jul 14, 2007

1 full week in extra virign olive oil.....then gently brush with soft toothbrush and soap......

P.S. for the date, that coin is in very nice condition.

SeabeeRon · Jul 14, 2007

Homerun04 said:
1 full week in extra virign olive oil.....then gently brush with soft toothbrush and soap......

P.S. for the date, that coin is in very nice condition.

add a little garlic, some basil and you have a fine pasta coating!! :lol:

afpilot64 · Jul 14, 2007

I would simply go with a fine dry toothbrush. It's important to clean pennies when they are dry.

Jeff R · Jul 15, 2007

Vasaline and dab it with a brush or soft rag.
I have come to believe olive oil is acidic and over time will yuk it up.....my 2 cents.

Jeff

My older coppers like it.

Homerun04 · Jul 15, 2007

I have come to believe olive oil is acidic and over time will yuk it up.....my 2 cents.

True, olive oil has a very low acidic ph level....hence the washing gently with soapy water to remove any olive oil remnants...

ne_seeker · Jul 15, 2007

"After" photos

Jeff R said:
Vasaline and dab it with a brush or soft rag.
I have come to believe olive oil is acidic and over time will yuk it up.....my 2 cents.

Jeff

My older coppers like it.

I decided to give this suggestion a try, the results are shown below. It was quick and did what I wanted to do, just remove some of the "gritty" dirt and make the coin details more visible.

Thanks to Jeff and all who offered suggestions.

SeabeeRon · Jul 15, 2007

Beautiful coin looks great!!

booker · Jul 15, 2007

Sweet coin!

robert roy · Jul 21, 2007

Clean up

Why can't you use an ultrasounic machine
like the jewelers use?

Rob R

Jeff R · Jul 24, 2007

Rob,
Unless you spend a couple $100 bucks they just don't do the job.

I think it came out nice! I picked up the petroleum jelly trick from an old buck that has a coin shop in town. He gets looks at my goodys once in a while.
He still counts my 1806 Quarter as #1

I don't use anything else now.

Homerun04 · Jul 25, 2007

Came out great....I'll use Vassoline on my next few old coppers to see the results.....thanks for the tip, Jeff....

mofiddy · Jul 28, 2007

Ditto, thanks for the tip!

Bruce_B · Jul 29, 2007

How do you get the vaseline off after cleaning?

Xray · Jul 30, 2007

Oh, so vaseline has more than 1 use, good to know [ps I am not sure what that means, please don't ask]

ne_seeker · Jul 30, 2007

Bruce_B said:
How do you get the vaseline off after cleaning?

On the Indian Head, I used a very small amount of Vasaline and dabbed it very gently to remove the dirt. I wanted to be sure remaining dirt didn't cause scratches.

tartan wonder · Jul 30, 2007

lovely coin and great results, well done.

knohrdy · Aug 16, 2007

gentle dirt removal

Your penny cleaned up well. Hard to believe it is the same coin. Was it found in dirt, or in a fresh water/salt water area?

Gentle dirt memoval from Indian Head?

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