I generally do not like to clean my finds other than using a toothpick and an old toothbrush. I've had mixed results with using peroxide, olive oil and other liquid agents when cleaning crusty Injuns.in some cases the coin actually ends up coming out worse than before I cleaned it.
Yesterday I found a real crusty one. I decided to take a different approach. Cleaned it up as best i could with toothpicks and then gave it a run down with 0000 steel wool. This "dry" method will be my go to technique for cleaning old copper. Your mileage may vary but I was extremely pleased by the results. Beautiful green patina left intact. I also sealed the coin in microcrystalline wax when I was finished to prevent further corrosion.Hard to believe the before and after pictures are of the same coin!
Yesterday I found a real crusty one. I decided to take a different approach. Cleaned it up as best i could with toothpicks and then gave it a run down with 0000 steel wool. This "dry" method will be my go to technique for cleaning old copper. Your mileage may vary but I was extremely pleased by the results. Beautiful green patina left intact. I also sealed the coin in microcrystalline wax when I was finished to prevent further corrosion.Hard to believe the before and after pictures are of the same coin!
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