waltr
Elite Member
The video is excellent on how to clean old copper coins.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7cfVkadI_A&list=PLRybViBMNQTem-DadHW_9VfDPlDfuyjMC&index=49&t=0s
Aquachigger does a great job in this video and says that you can not go back to a previous step. Main example is if you wash then with soap, water
& a tooth brush this removes all dirt that actually creates contrast and makes to markings readable.
There are also pretty toasted coins that are very hard to see details.
I have a method to make the details much clearer to see. It will not show anything that isn't there like on totally worn or toasted coins. I have before and after pictures so take a look.
Now the theory is the little bit of light colored dirt give contrast to the raised text and details. Washing this off kills the contrast (watch quachigger's video).
Now if this 'dirt' could be put back it could make to coin looking nicer.
What I did is apply watered down Gouache then let it get nearly dry and rub with my finger (like Aquachigger does in the video).
What is Gouache:
This is a water color paint traditionally used for illustration. It is readily available at any good art supply store or online.
I chose it for two reasons:
1- It is water soluble so can be washed off if it doesn't turn out right or I just want it removed. Acrylic or enamel paints harden and are not easily removed.
2- It has opaque pigments that are very close to the original 'dirt'.
First ensure to coin does have wax or oil on it. That will cause the water paint to just bead up. Clean with denatured alcohol to remove oils.
Any light color paint will work, remember we want to lighten the coin's background. I used a mix of Raw Sienna, Naples Yellow and a light Grey (or white). Just squeeze a dap of each onto a plastic jar lid. Wet a small brush (I use a 1/4" flat but any is fine). Pull some raw sienna over then a little yellow and/or grey to get a light dirt color. Experimenting is fine since if you don't like wipe it off with a damp paper towel.
The paint should have enough water. Soak some into the brush and dab onto the coin. The paint should flow into all the low areas (see photos below). Than leave to dry but best if not too long. When the paint is dry to the touch it is still a little soft. Now rub gently with your finger to remove the paint from the high point of the coin. Notice how the text and details become clearer.
I chose two Lincoln Memory and two Jefferson nickle I had dug and are not easy to read. These were scrubbed with soap & water since they are just modern 'face value' coins.
Photos show before, with wet paint and then after drying and rubbing.
Decide for yourself if they look better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7cfVkadI_A&list=PLRybViBMNQTem-DadHW_9VfDPlDfuyjMC&index=49&t=0s
Aquachigger does a great job in this video and says that you can not go back to a previous step. Main example is if you wash then with soap, water
& a tooth brush this removes all dirt that actually creates contrast and makes to markings readable.
There are also pretty toasted coins that are very hard to see details.
I have a method to make the details much clearer to see. It will not show anything that isn't there like on totally worn or toasted coins. I have before and after pictures so take a look.
Now the theory is the little bit of light colored dirt give contrast to the raised text and details. Washing this off kills the contrast (watch quachigger's video).
Now if this 'dirt' could be put back it could make to coin looking nicer.
What I did is apply watered down Gouache then let it get nearly dry and rub with my finger (like Aquachigger does in the video).
What is Gouache:
This is a water color paint traditionally used for illustration. It is readily available at any good art supply store or online.
I chose it for two reasons:
1- It is water soluble so can be washed off if it doesn't turn out right or I just want it removed. Acrylic or enamel paints harden and are not easily removed.
2- It has opaque pigments that are very close to the original 'dirt'.
First ensure to coin does have wax or oil on it. That will cause the water paint to just bead up. Clean with denatured alcohol to remove oils.
Any light color paint will work, remember we want to lighten the coin's background. I used a mix of Raw Sienna, Naples Yellow and a light Grey (or white). Just squeeze a dap of each onto a plastic jar lid. Wet a small brush (I use a 1/4" flat but any is fine). Pull some raw sienna over then a little yellow and/or grey to get a light dirt color. Experimenting is fine since if you don't like wipe it off with a damp paper towel.
The paint should have enough water. Soak some into the brush and dab onto the coin. The paint should flow into all the low areas (see photos below). Than leave to dry but best if not too long. When the paint is dry to the touch it is still a little soft. Now rub gently with your finger to remove the paint from the high point of the coin. Notice how the text and details become clearer.
I chose two Lincoln Memory and two Jefferson nickle I had dug and are not easy to read. These were scrubbed with soap & water since they are just modern 'face value' coins.
Photos show before, with wet paint and then after drying and rubbing.
Decide for yourself if they look better.