punchy

Sorry for this newbie question, but what is the best method for cleaning old silver coins?

Conversely, what is the worst method for cleaning old silver coins?

If I could, I would post a poll to see which method gets the most votes. That would probably be a good indication of what most collectors approve of as being the best method.

Maybe someone would be kind enough to post such a poll?

Hobo

If you have to ask the answer is "DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COINS!" Improperly cleaning coins can damage their surfaces. "Shiny" does not necessarily mean "better" to a knowledgeable coin collector. Unless you know what you are doing and you have lots of trial-and-error experience you are more likely to damage your coins than you are to improve them.

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ubermint

May the "coin gods" help you on this post. Just don't clean whatever it is that you want to clean and store it properly. If you want what you have to look better, TRUST ME, save your money and buy it in better condition. No matter what, you are not going to get support for cleaning anything. (at least I don't think so) I already cleared that road for you ROFL. Trust me! Put your temptations aside and move on.

Actually in all honesty, it does seem like alot of us new people want to clean things, but the more I read and understand coin collecting, the more I appreciate the fact that I didn't end up cleaning anything more than a ruined Morgan that I already had.

Good luck in your collecting

__________________
~Ubermint

Old boys have their playthings as well as young ones; the difference is only in the price.

Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

GrimReaper

DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COINS !!!!

GrimReaper

Well put ubermint , and punchy unless it is already ruined (and its gonna have to be pretty bad) post pics here , talk to someone (that knows something about coins) , and get input/advice before doing anything !!!

In some minor cases I have seen people clean a coin with a mild soap & water (to get dirt off a dug coin) and/or pure acetone (to take tape residue off) and i'm talking the mildest cases , and most are improving for personal use and/or pleasure of keeping the coin for themselves .


Do not use any kind of brush , rag , cloth or any device you know nothing of or about as they can scratch the coin !!!


Hope this helps also !!! Grim

desertgem

Hi Punchy, welcome to the forum! May I ask why the coins need cleaning? I am sure you received the advice above to not clean the coins without knowledge of what can happen to the value of the coin. So are the coins "new looking", low circulation, or older worn coins? Are they silver ( pre 1954 dimes, quarters, halves, silver dollars) or copper like lincoln cents, nickels, etc.

Is the need because of dirt, grime, paint, corrosion, or toning ( colors)?

If we know more, we can tell you more information. Most of "cleaning" is detrimental and irreversible, that is why everyone is reacting strongly, especially since you indicated you are new to this. Many of us have made the error of doing something we had no knowledge of and came to regret it. Hope to see some photos of these
needful coins.

Jim

punchy

I have some old pre-1965 U.S. 90% junk silver coins I'd like to experiment cleaning on. I strongly emphasize the fact that they are JUNK and I'm not worried about ruining them because they are already in poor condition, cleaning them can't hurt their value because they don't have any collector value, just bullion value. I was just wondering what the most acceptable method of cleaning would be.

the_man12

Are you trying to remove dirt or toning? If you are trying to remove dirt, a mineral oil soak, and then removing encrustations with a rose thorn would be your best bet. As for toning, I would advise against it, but if you insist... a bath in a pot lined with tin foil, and filled with a solution of water, salt and baking soda. If you already have washing soda, that works better, and then you don't need salt. Just boil the water and then remove the coin when you are done. Rinse it off and pat it dry.

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20th Century Uncirculated Whitman Type Set Folder: 32/37 (86.5%)

punchy

Most just have dirt and grime packed in the details. A few are toned. Still others are encrusted with nasty black crust. You name it, I've got the full spectrum of dirtiness here.

desertgem

If truly junk, and although some collectors feel it is wrong anyway, they are your coins. What is to be remembered it that any rubbing or abrasive cleaning is one way, and can't be reversed. If just grime, a few minute soak in weak detergent and water, just gentle agitation will remove water soluble dirt. After that rinse with just warm water and allow to dry. If gunk or green still remains a rinse with acetone will remove oil soluble material and tape residue, paint, etc. As mentioned, some prefer to use a green thorn or plastic dental pick to remove gunk. Many do this with mineral oil on the coin to help prevent scratching before the acetone. The black sounds like corrosion on silver coins and can be removed with an acid dip. Acetone doesn't react with the metal, but acids do, and must be used with care not to overdo the damage.

Copper coins are more reactive and usually have a noticeable color change. Toning is very often desirable on coins and should be considered case by case. The dip can also be used to remove toning, but again can't be undone. Even with the best of technique and care, the end result is sometimes uglier than the original, and reveal hidden damage. "Cleaning" has a wide range, like cleaning your skin using a gentle soap and water or a potato peeler. Avoid coin "potato peelers".

Jim

mrbrklyn

The first rule of coin collection is DON'T CLEAN THE COINS. DON'T CLEAN THE COINS. LEAVE THE COINS ALONE

In a year from now we can discuss why.

Ruben

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GDJMSP

Therein lies the problem. You say you don't know much about collecting but yet you are claiming your coins are junk - you sure about that ?

There are many coins that even in low grade condition can still be worth hundreds of dollars. If they are uncleaned. Clean them improperly and they can lose up to 80% of their value.

How would you feel if you cleaned all your coins, then later somebody saw them and said - too bad you cleaned this, I would have given you $500 for it. As it is, maybe $100.

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Just Carl

Are you trying to say people shouldn't clean coins?????

Just Carl

The main problem here is if your new to coins you may not recognize a valuable coin. Some may take a Mercury Dime that is old, beat up, dirty, common date and not notice it is a 42/41 for example. Also, note more and more large and small mint marks are being found in that series. Things like this are being found continuously so if you do not know much about coins, it may not be wise to attempt to clean them until you first learn as much as you can about what your cleaning.
Things like this are true with many older items. I once purchased an old sewing machine table and turned it into a bench grinder stand. Someone I know that knows antiques said I should have been shot. It was supposed to be rare but now ruined.
Get to know your coins first and in the meantime, DON'T CLEAN COINS.

north49guy

bump

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