How to Clean Coins

BNB: I suggested that you search and read up before attempting to clean coins.

Below is one such long running CT thread regarding the topic, there are plenty others, read them. They may well help you understand what results you might encounter with various cleaning techniques or help form your decision if you should ever clean coins or not: Cleaning your coins

 

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Only use pure products, not food with preservatives and other such chemicals / ingredients that may cause unknown results and leave residue. LIKEWISE, don't use any dishsoap or other soaps... Soap leaves film on the coin also.

 

any salt is too much. Do not use abrasives on coins, the effects are irreversible

 

That makes most of the world's coins irreversibly damaged. Any coin ever coming in contacting with human skin, like the ones found in human fingers, excrete salt to some degree, and like the man said, any salt is too much. Straight from the mint, being sealed right off the line, and tucked away in storage is the only way to not attain permanent damage.

 

...and what if you live in a sea side environment, you'll have to diligently be on guard with salty sea air affecting your coins, including pristine proofs :goofer:

 

That's why Denver minted coins are the best. San Fran and Philly...way too close to the ocean. May as well spend 'em if they were minted there.

 

let's not be silly. I believe that BNB was referring to the fact that he used table salt (NaCl). It is an abrasive. I was not referring to saline or any other salt, merely table salt which makes a fine kitchen cleanser... or coin ruiner... whichever you prefer to use it as.

 

Call it whatever you want but, if you are going to do it; you might as well do it right.

Read this book: Coin Chemistry by Weimar W. White

Learn how coins become toned or tarnished and how to preserve, clean and protect coins in your collection.
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: 2nd
Publication Date: September 19, 2004
Size: 6x9
Pages: 80

http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/product/coin-chemistry.html

 

Yes that was silly, I know. But if you want silly, lots of opinions posted in here think anything from breathing in their direction to staring at coins from several thousand miles away damages them. Reread some of the posts on this subject if you doubt it. Some are very silly.

 

And the next question... Why in the heck would you experiment on a 32-D quarter and not something cheaper first?

 

As a frequent buyer of 90% junk silver, I will tell you that I completely avoid obviously cleaned coins. Even though they are "junk" and don't carry much of a numismatic premium, I think the obviously cleaned silver look is rather unattractive. I think you'll find many buyers of such material feel the same way.

As for cleaning the 32-d with such harsh methods - why?

Don't get me wrong, I have cleaned my fair share of coins (cull wheats primarily) but harshly cleaning coins is never the answer.

 

Dont clean coins! Exspecially a 32d quater

 

As a >50 year collector of coins, I can tell you that many of the high grade certified coins are "cleaned". Do you think that the certified "recovered coins" were found in the condition presently shown, I'll give you good odds if you want to place a bet. I've viewed the "cleaning" of "high grade" coins before submission to certify. I have a strong six figure "collection" of silver coins, and have found that it is easy to make a Silver coin have an unacceptable appearance by cleaning. My experience has shown that a low grade coin should only be cleaned with a mild detergent, gently rubbing between your fingers, all directions, in a random pattern. The detergent should then be removed, using the same motion, under a flowing stream of soften water. The coin surface should then only be "blotted" between the surfaces of a used cotton towel. This process will generally leave the appearance of an "aged" coin. Exceptions to this process may result in scratches caused by the surface contaminates, or perceivable residue/chaff on the coin surface.

 

Just to clear MY conscience. DO NOT TRY THIS!

 

2 posts doesn't lend a lot of credibility,does it?

 

"No, I don't mean dip or clean them in a non-ethical way".

It could be sent in to NCS--I think they have several ethicists on staff that are extremely vigilant in making sure a coin is never treated in an un-ethical fashion. :smile

Good luck with that key date coin BNB. I look forward to seeing an image of it....

 

He used vinegar and salt to clean an AG/G KEY date......though it wouldn't set a record for price, he truly killed it.

BNB, as has been said on other forums, you will only do yourself harm in this hobby by trying TOO hard. You cannot and will not become a world class numismistist overnight. Some of the people giving you advice have been at this hobby for years, and will forget more than you can ever hope to learn, yet they know their limitations. With over 1,500 posts in 4 months, you certainly MUST have read ONE thread where discussion of cleaning coins is taboo. Please, for your sake, as well as the sake of your coins, DON'T clean ANY coins....also, read more, much more. I don't say these things to insult, only to help make you a wiser member of the hobby. You seem to have the desire and drive, now just use it the right way and don't try to set the numismatic world on fire.

 

I agree, this will result in damage to the coin. ANY rubbing puts hairline on the coin.