Cleaning a War Nickel.

My wife has some jewlery cleaner that works great for my .925 wedding ring and her jewlery. If I dunked a couple war nickels in there to clean them up, would it work?

I want to try it out on War Nickels because I am too scared to try it out on a 90% coin, since I only have about MAYBE 12-15. Also, the war nickels are the dirtiest and least valuable.

Thanks for any and all help!

Also, I did post in Error coins under Cleaning, an old thread. No repsonses.

--Rob.

 

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You may want to get the coin cleaning stuff from a coin shop to dip it in.
It may work, I'm not sure, I've never cleaned a coin.

If you do dip it in, just to try it, remember: dip it very briefly (1-3 seconds), and don't rub it, blot it with something non-abrasive. Then I think you're supposed to put it in mineral water or something.

Hopefully somebody that knows more will chime in.

 

Distilled water.

 

It's not wise to clean coins especially with jewelry cleaner

 

I know that MEK will turn silver black. Then you have a dickens of a time getting that off. Try electrolsis.

 

Circulated war nickels are supposed to have that dirty gray/ black coloration. They are junk silver so cleaning is not going to ruin junk just make it 100% junk for certain. Any collector can get these in uncirculated condition for a reasonable price anyway.

 

Just a war nickel? Try sandpaper or a scouring pad.

 

I don't want to clean them to make them have more of a numismatic value or anything, I am just OCD and I hate that they are all cruddy. I pretty much only have them for the silver content. However, I am looking at a few War Nickel sets on eBay right now, that I would keep for the budding numismatist in me.

By the way, even if I cleaned them they would still have the same silver content right? Therefore keeping the silver value, yes?

 

Yes but with time wasted

 

Yes, the silver value would remain the same. However, any numismatic value they might have over silver value will be destroyed.

 

Do circulated war nickels have any numismatic value?

 

It depends how circulated, but the numismatic value is minimal when they are circulated.

 

From what I can tell through my Red Book and eBay they only have numismatic value in HIGH HIGH grades or if you happen to have a '42P proof. I guess they also had a mint mark error. A D over S or somesuch.

 

I would say they become worth more than melt value once you reach the EF or AU grades. Not a lot more than melt, but more.

 

These are def not AU and mayyyybe one is EF. Well, maybe VG to F. Remember, I only have 2.

 

As they are not Bu or high grade, and since they should be considered as silver coins, dipping in a silver coin dip should only matter to you. Most would not want you to make it a habit with higher grade coins, but I see no harm if you wish to do it myself. The jewelry cleaner is probably an acid along with a polish and a mild abrasive. It can't restore luster, but the polish does make it appear to do so sometimes. IMO.

Jim

 

Do what you like to them. They are low grade war nickels worth more for their silver content than any numismatic value. Whatever makes you happy.

But be prepared to be disappointed. The usual stuff like Ez-est or Sonic Jewel Cleaner aren't going to give you a shiny, bright Jefferson. These drab, dull, dark war nickels do not morph into dazzling, like-new nickels from a dip. You would have to scrub it with a polish, and truly ruin whatever collectibility it might have to an enthusiast.

Why not tuck them aside and forget about them, or sell them, and then buy a really nice, well preserved one that hasn't been messed with? They aren't very expensive and really, you will enjoy it so much more.
Lance.

 

Oh yeah, you don't want to improve the value...sure.

 

Eight year old thread.

 

Cleaning a War Nickel:

Don't!