Cleaning coins

[noone747]

What's the best way to clean coins after a dig? I know rubbing the dirt off can scratch the coin. Any good methods?

[Coin_Master]

best way is to microwave hydrogen peroxide in a glass or plastic container for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Let the coins sit, they may been clean in 30 mins, or for coins that are really crusty, it could take 1-2 days.

[lovediggingdeep]

Most old coins(silver) will come out of ground relatively unscathed by enviroment but clad is bad and needs a bath to recirculate. I like to put my clad in a bath of white vinegar with a tablespoon of salt in a plastic bottle for a few hours and it is ready to go. keep pennies separate as they dont like salt!Newer pennies can be tough with zinc alloy as they deteriorate at an incredible speed and I have thousands that range in size of pin head to half penny that I keep for entertainment purposes! Good luck and HH!

[Blueonceagain]

If they are spendable you cant beat salt and vinegar and a barbacue brush.Otherwise evoo and leave it at that.Wrap them up in tissue and take them out every now and then to look at.

[dewcon]

If you are just cleaning them to turn them in... tumbler is the quickest and most effective way. Other collectable type.... well the hydrogen is best or a little soap and water with a tooth brush or q tip.

Der

[Blueonceagain]

What do you mean by hydrogen?

[Drosera]

If you have coins that may have any collectible value I'd say do very little. I hope I don't step on any toes here, but the suggestions I've seen on this (and other) metal detecting forums would absolutuely horrify numismatists. I'd strongly suggest finding a coin collecting forum to learn the accepted techniques. But in short here are a few do's and don'ts.

The first thing to understand is shiny does not equal more valuable when it comes to these finds. Original luster is desireable, but once that is gone (as happens with virtually all coins found in the ground) it is much better to retain the patina than to clean it off. In fact, professional coin grading services will often refuse to grade a cleaned coin, or at the very least put a "improperly cleaned" tag on the slab it is put into. That is something of a kiss of death in the numismatic world.

DO NOT use any abrasive cleaning technique. By abrasive I mean ANY wiping of the surface whatsoever, even a Q-tip, and especially not a tumbler.

DO NOT use any acids, hydrogen peroxide or other harsh chemicals.

There are only a few "acceptible" liquids to soak a coin in. Start with soaking it in distilled water for a few days to loosen surface debris. If that doesn't work you can use acetone (make sure it is pure acetone as things like nail polish remover have other chemicals that can harm the coin). Another good method is to give it a long soak in olive oil (weeks or more sometimes). Anything that is left after going through these steps will need to remain. If you have a coin that is very valuable (hundreds or thousands of dollars) then don't do anything to it yourself. Instead find a professional coin conservation service and send it to them to handle it. It will be worth the money and they will use every method at their disposal to restore the coin in a way that is acceptable in the hobby, maximizing its value.

Coin collectors HATE cleaned coins. A coin forum that I frequent is filled with discussions like "has such and such coin on Ebay been cleaned?". If the answer is yes everyone expresses disappointment on how the owner ruined the coin. In fact people there like to post links to Ebay auctions where the cleaning is very obvious as joke threads because they consider it funny (and sad) when a coin has been scrubbed or shined up.

If this is for your own collection and you like cleaned coins fine. Just remember that if you are looking to get maximum value out of your coin you need to maintain it the way collectors like as they are going to be the buyers of your coin.

[Lightningjack]

Just wash them off gentley with soap & water....Then sit them on a soft towel to dry...

[dewcon]

I hear this about coin collectors alot. Just how many coin collectors would be satisfied with the coins we find? Yes there are collectors and then there are investors who truely collect. They look at brilliance... well thats gone. They dont like whizzed coins or cleaned... well thats out. Scratches, dings and ware would be another problem. I collect coins too, but im not an investor like those in Coin World. Dont get me wrong ... im not using a wire brush on an old coin, but i also dont expect to many to be AU either. You have to decide what you intend to do with the coin.. if its that good have it professionally cleaned and graded.

Dew

[Blueonceagain]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/British-coins-...item5ad12889f0

A nice but reasonably well worn coin.You dont need too many of these to buy another detector and theyre findable.I really must get my wife to show me how to get some pics on.

[Vettech101]

Pic posted for Blueonceagain from post above

[Blueonceagain]

Thanks a lot.This is the type of silver I like.Great pic.Wish I could do it.