EDTA is also used in the preparation of many food stuffs that might chemically react with metal ions from the can or lid. It is in soda, mayonaise, canned fruits and vegetables, etc. Since many cans are now lined, there might be less need for this, but EDTA ( calcium) is used for heavy metal chelation for poisonings such as mercury. Microoganisms and humans have many enzymes that require a metal component. Excess amounts of EDTA can inactivate these enzymes and kill microorganisms such as those use to breakdown sewage. The CDC also has recorded where use medically of EDTA ( sodium) was used in error and was implicated in a few deaths, but no listed deaths from use in food stuffs. EDTA can be used in "cleaning" coins, but it is not suggested, especially for copper coins unless you have a high knowledge of chemistry. EDTA will be used more in medical treatment, as new evidence show that a small amount can be as active as aspirin in reducing blood clotting, and that by conjugating it with antibiotics such as Amoxicillin can increase it's effectiveness in combating MRSA and VRSA infections which have become more widespread in the "civilian" ( non hospital) population. It is doubtful that there is enough EDTA in a can of soda to cause a reaction with coins. I would expect it is the carbonic acid that would cause most of the problem, but yes, keep sodas away from coins. Jim p.s. As a confirmed "diet Coke" addict, I can find some happiness in that it is helping keep my vessels clean
Yes it is. However, as a confirmed Coke-aholic for over 40 years, and a heart attack victim, I can also tell you that it's making those vessles of yours constrict every time you drink it. Thus increasing your risk for heart attack. And its cleaning abilities are greatly overrated. I've got 5 stents in my heart to prove it.
Wow! I'll try harder not to get you excited in the future! I gave up drinking soda/pop several years ago and I've felt significantly better ever since.
Stick to grain alcohol and rainwater. If you protect your precious bodily fluids you could be in "Dr Strangelove" with clean coins but nobody left to notice.
So back to your question. 1. Unless you really know what your doing, don't clean coins 2. If you THINK you know what your doing, don't clean coins 3. If people tell you all kinds of weirdo methods to clean coins, remember if and when it all fails, those were your coins, not the people that told you to do that. 4. Many on the internet just make up methods of how to clean coins and have nothing to loose if you ruin yours so don't clean coins. 5. If you really just have to clean a coin, stop and think first. Does it NEED cleaning? Then don't clean coins. 6. The battery acid from a auto battery does really take off lots of dirt and lots of the metal too. 7. To sum up this long post, DON'T CLEAN COINS.
In general, if you haven't experimented before, leave it alone. I've been a dealer for over 50 years and "YES" I, as most other dealers, have cleaned/dipped coins in the past. Sometimes successful, sometimes not. One of my past cleanings. Back in the 90's I had an Isabella quarter that was a "black beauty" (anyone remember those terms?). Coin was as black as a stovepipe. I carried it in stock for a few months trying to sell it with no luck. So, I decided to clean it. I used JewelLuster and heaven forbid baking soda. It took me 3-4 times but the coin turned out great. I had a Detroit dealer submit it to PCGS in the late 90's and guess what.....it came back a MS66 with no mention of cleaning. I really lucked out on that otherwise unattractive "black beauty". I have had some disasters also ... so, the moral of this story is "sometimes you win, sometimes you lose". Most of the time you lose though.
But I would say that Diet Coke is better than some popular alternatives by far. Diet Coke has about 45 mg caffeine per 12 oz. can. 2 ounces of 5 hr energy shot has 138 mg McDonalds 12 oz coffee has 109 mg Drip coffee. 12 oz has 215 mg. Starbucks Grande coffee has 330 mg ( like drinking over 7 diet Cokes ) Jim
