hey all, i need some advice about cleaning coins. i purchased a uncirculated ase from ebay. it has a big a-- thumbprint on the obverse of the coin, right by the face of lady liberty. i bought some stuff called (coin-care) which is not a dip solution it says its a great cleaner of gold, silver, copper etc.... also claims it wont hurt the mint luster of the coin. 1st- has anyone ever used this product before? 2nd- if i did use this on the coin will this affect the value in anyway? 3rd- if this is not a dip what is the difference between the two, and is it safe to use on my other coins without taking away any value that the coin may have. 4th- would you use any product to clean your coins? any advice, or anyone expierienced in cleaning coins would be a big help, thanks.
If it's a new print, an acetone dip may very well remove it. That is the correct treatment. And even if it doesn't, no harm will come to the coin. I know many collectors who routinely dip all their silver in acetone before storing, particularly ASE's. As for Coincare, it will not likely remove the print. It's a coin conditioner, not bad at removing some grime and leaving a protective coating. I wouldn't use it on anything you hoped to have graded, however. The TPG's aren't keen on it as it is often used to temporarily improve the appearance of a coin. Lance.
A fingerprint becomes visible, only after the secretions etch into the coins surface. Acetone, or coin conditioner can't remove it completely if at all. Since it is silver, using a chemical dip is the only thing to try if you know what you are doing. Otherwise sell it like the guy did to you and buy one without fingerprint. Chemical dips are usually acid based such as the commercial dips. Coin cleaners usually do not say what they are made of. There are threads on the forum by Bad Thad concerning his copper conservation fluids.
NEVER CLEAN. But if you have to, preserve it the best way that you can. For me, I use acetone, if that doesn't work, it will just be part of the history of the coin.
