Need suggestions...

Silver_Seeker · Jul 6, 2015

I've got a William III Half Penny (1699-1701) that needs a little cleaning.

See thread/pics here: http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=216222

The question is, how do I go about trying to get a few more details off of the reverse - which is worse than the obverse - from a 300+ year old copper that may have been in the ocean for 2+ centuries?

Obviously, I don't want to make it any worse!

TxSoldier · Sep 14, 2015

I see lots of people talking about tumblers on here to clean up their coins. Take this for what it's worth cause I'm BRAND NEW to this hobby lol.

I reload my own ammo and use a tumbler to clean up my brass. I just use crushed corn cob with a little polish added to it. I would think for a heavy type of coin this may be a more gentler way of cleaning a coin up a little as opposed to aquarium gravel or whatever else I see people talking abut using.

Just an idea, no clue if it'll work or not lol.

AndrewCNJ · Sep 16, 2015

I would leave it as is.

Maybe just rub some olive oil on the coin and wipe off with a paper towel a few times. Don't use water.

metaladdict · Sep 20, 2015

For some reason old coins are worth more uncleaned? :?:

GabbityGabby · Sep 20, 2015

metaladdict said:
For some reason old coins are worth more uncleaned?

They are worth more uncleaned because most cleaning methods damage the coin in some way. Rubbing or scrubbing the coin will leave microabrasions on the coin's surface, and chemical baths may strip some of the metal off the coin. I have had conversations with a local coin dealer who agrees that it is best not to clean coins beyond running them under water and patting dry with a 100% cotton cloth.

It is worth mentioning, however, that the majority of coins pulled out of the ground are not worth much from a collector's standpoint as they have already sustained environmental damage, so you don't have to worry as much about cleaning unless the coin is a key date. That said, my preferred cleaning method for any coin I find regardless of value (other than clad of course) is to rinse and pat dry.

Hotel71 · Sep 22, 2015

coppers

GabbityGabby said:
They are worth more uncleaned because most cleaning methods damage the coin in some way. Rubbing or scrubbing the coin will leave microabrasions on the coin's surface, and chemical baths may strip some of the metal off the coin. I have had conversations with a local coin dealer who agrees that it is best not to clean coins beyond running them under water and patting dry with a 100% cotton cloth.

It is worth mentioning, however, that the majority of coins pulled out of the ground are not worth much from a collector's standpoint as they have already sustained environmental damage, so you don't have to worry as much about cleaning unless the coin is a key date. That said, my preferred cleaning method for any coin I find regardless of value (other than clad of course) is to rinse and pat dry.

I agree, I found a 1794 liberty cap that was underwater 150+ yrs....dealer looked at it under microscope and showed me a ton of damage not seen by the naked eye...
DO NOT USE A DREMEL OR WIZWHEEL EITHER!!!
(That is a story for another time...I was a noob ..LOL) :lol:

GabbityGabby · Sep 23, 2015

Hotel71 said:
I agree, I found a 1794 liberty cap that was underwater 150+ yrs....dealer looked at it under microscope and showed me a ton of damage not seen by the naked eye...
DO NOT USE A DREMEL OR WIZWHEEL EITHER!!!
(That is a story for another time...I was a noob ..LOL)

The thought of someone taking a Dremel to a coin makes me cringe. According to my collectors' manual, there is an epidemic of that "whizzing" in the coin world and many coins are being destroyed as a result of it.

Sounds like you learned a hard lesson. But at least you learned! :yes:

Need suggestions...

Silver_Seeker

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TxSoldier

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AndrewCNJ

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metaladdict

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GabbityGabby

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Hotel71

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GabbityGabby

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