I left a world coin a friend gave in my pants pocket once. My dad said "Cannyn, here's your coin back from the wash" and I replied "Dad, I don't collect cleaned coins"
coins could have been washed If you have a hundred year coin, how do you know it wasn't left in someone's pocket and washed in the laundry? What is the difference between washing and cleaning? I wash my pennies and it does get the gunk off pretty well and there is no fuss. Just throw them in the sink and dry them off. None of this soaking and patting.
A slight aside Am I the only person who thinks of Sir Mix-A-Lot when he sees this thread? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY84MRnxVzo
LoOk HoW PrEttY My CoInS ArE!!1!!1!!! :goofer: :eating: :bangg: On a serious note, I received these coins this way. edited I think whomever polished these must have seen that penny / toothpaste / eraser video :headbang:
A trained pair of eyes can look at a coin that was harshly cleaned 100 years ago and tell that it was harshly cleaned. Or, they can look at one that was harshly cleaned yesterday and tell that it was harshly cleaned. The only thing there is a difference in, is between harsh cleaning and cleaning. Harsh cleaning = bad Cleaning = OK
Here's a question for you. I bought this 1803 draped bust large cent that is absolutely gorgeous - except for the huge splotch of glue on the reverse. I knew it had the glue on it, but I figured acetone would take care of it right quick. Well, apparently it's Super Mega Special Impenetrable Glue, because it's resisted everything I've thrown at it: This is after acetone, distilled water, boiling distilled water (poured on it, I didn't actually boil the coin), acetone again, olive oil, and acetone again to remove the olive oil. It hasn't budged so much as a flake. I've seen people on other forums recommending WD-40, but I'm really, REALLY afraid to try WD-40 on this pretty without getting other opinions. I knew the other stuff wouldn't hurt the coin, but is WD-40 really safe? If not, is there something safer I can use? Is it worth sending to NCS? Should I leave it alone? This is my first draped bust coin, my favorite design, I've been wanting one for ages, I'd really rather not risk wrecking it. What do? D:
It's hard. Apparently someone decided to glue it into a coin album because it didn't fit in its spot anymore. ._.
You could try to carefully chip it off, or soak it in acetone for a while. It may take some time. Edit: I should add that acetone is hardly ever recommended for use on copper coins, but this may be the only option for this coin.
I don't see how WD-40 is going to help much. It's a water-displacement formula which is sometimes used as a lubricant or more precisely as an adjunct lubricant. Its major purpose originally was to coat surfaces with a thin film (water-displacement) to prevent corrosion. None of this has any real use for coin cleaning, although most petrochemical derivatives can be used for cleaning something.