GOOD NEIGHBOR

Wow...My neighbor's husband had passed on a while ago, but she was going through
one of her closets and found some coins he had collected. She's not into coins but
knows that I am so she gave them to me....She gave me about 6 loose cents and a
book that is half full of the same type of coins...Late 1800 / Very early 1900...
Here's some pics of a couple of them....What do you think?

 

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Very nice of your neighbor. Especially under the circumstances. Looks like some need to be cleaned before more damage happens.

 

lordmarcovan, that's exactly what I am planning on doing! ...And Johndoe2000$
what would you recommend for cleaning? I hear some people suggesting Acetone ?
Thanks Guys, appreciate your input..

 

I don't know Jack... about cleaning coins. Many threads about it though. Different methods for different metals. Others may chime in???

 

I bet @BadThad would say start with water, and for these, I would second that.

 

that was very nice of your neighbor

 

Water and maybe a little dishsoap? Hot water?

 

Yeah...The world needs more nice people like her....That's why whatever she
needs I will do it....She is good good people.

 

STOP

Do not clean coins until we've had time to educate you about the process.

It is VERY easy to make a mistake and destroy ANY numismatic value.

It is possible, however to conserve the coins (conserve is good, cleaning bad), using the correct process.

 

NO see above

 

There are two ways to damage coins 1) Scratching them...with an abbraisive cleaner or by scrubbing grit that is already on them across the surface and 2) Applying some chemical (soap is a chemical) and not removing it THOROUGHLY. Now, with that said, I would wash your hands with soap, rinse thoroughly, put some plastic mesh (like from a bag fruit or vegetables come in) in the sink an. If no d put the coin(s) on it to keep them from going down the drain, run hot water over the coins for as long as you want, switch to cold water till they aren't hot anymore. Now, if you have any distilled water, I would rinse them and pat dry (no rubbing). If no distilled water, pat them dry and consider your next move.

 

Thank you Kentucky, I certainly appreciate your advise....I am going to copy it
and that's exactly what I am going to do! Thanks again..

 

I have a couple of old coin books that mention "dipping" for silver coins, but state that it is not recommended for copper coins, as it leaves an unnatural color. An olive oil soak is often used, and boiling in water

 

Dipping uses an acid solution to remove the surface layer of the coin. Once removed it is gone for all time.

 

Thanks Guys

 

Too bad the man passed. His wife sounds like a kind hearted woman. Neighbors like that are hard to come by. You are a lucky man.

 

Your right Gilbert, she is extra special person....She told me years ago her neighbor
was crying to her that she was a month behind in her rent, so the next day she went and paid her back rent for her....Who does that?....That's why whatever she needs, take the garbage out, fix her computer, ect,ect...I will do for her...

 

Very nice neighbor I wish all neighbors were that nice. My neighbor parks her car in my driveway and gets mad when she's reported for it, saying that she doesn't have room to get her car out if she has her other car in her driveway. (She parks in the middle of the garage with stuff piled up on either side).

 

Awesome, that is so kind of your neighbor. John I don't think it is a good idea to clean those coins they are pretty nice.