What is the best was to clean a coin?

I know all of you will say don't clean it but.. Its not a very rare coin. Its a 1909 vdb now I would say that the condition is f - xf but it has some type of liquid that was spilled on it and is hardened I want to remove just the liquid I don't want to buff the coin to make it shine again I just want the liquid off of the coin, the coin is in great shape... So yeah please don't reply to this protesting cleaned coins because this is just a test and I wanted some opinions on how I should go about removing the liquid on the surface of the coin. And again I know that I should just leave it there so please don't tell me that either!

 

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I'll save ya some grief with the generic synopsis of what I have surmised from this forum.

Don't ever clean..never, ever, ever, ever. (but you know that already knew that I know but makes no difference...you'll hear it anyway).
It you must clean, use acetone.
People will be able to tell if it was cleaned centuries from now.
It's called "conserving"..not cleaning.
Dipping is not cleaning.
Paid conservation is acceptable.
Everything damages coins.
We can't tell you what "professional conservationists" use because it's a secret.
If you don't like the appearance of your coins, throw them away, cause you can't clean 'em.

I think that about covers it. Good day.

(Psst...lighter fluid works great on copper. Silver is dipped routinely...don't tell anybody I told you..)

 

Cleaning coins is not a good idea. I have only used gentle rinsing with mild soap (Ivory) and warm water to help determine dates during roll-searching. TC

 

Without knowing what type of liquid is on it makes it harder to determine the best action to take. I would start with a soak in water. It won't hurt the coin and dissolves a lot of contaminants. Olive oil can take off a little more stubborn substances. I think acetone will change the color of copper if left to soak leaving it very unnatural.

 

Um thanks I guess... I know your not supposed to clean a coin like I said I'm just experimenting geez.

 

Also try experimenting with the CT keyword search function at the top of the page too, there have been many, many, many threads which exhaust the 'cleaning' topic. :thumb:

 

As long as you dont wire brush it LOL!!

 

The coin isn't worth much in the condition you describe, so not cleaning it is probably not a slam-dunk correct answer, but I would wait to get additional opinions here before trying anything. Someone my have experience with this sort of problem. If you can post a good close-up photo, it would help.

 

Ahh thanks alot will do

 

From your description, the liquid may be a shellac or lacquer of some type if it has hardened, or maybe insect residue. Be aware that the surface beneath the spot may be toned a different color than the rest of the coin, and if removed, the appearance may not be an improved one. If you are willing to take that chance, start with isopropyl alcohol ( I prefer the 91% from walmart ( cheap) ). If that doesn't work, try some pure acetone for a short soak. If the spot remains, it is not worth the effort and cost of chemicals to try and remove it. IMO.

Jim

 

Sand blasting is another bad idea, but I saved a Lincoln I suspect had that very treatment... It's my hybrid satin finish cent!
Aside from the foolishness, I'd try acetone and a cue tip. For the really tight spots, you could try light motion with a toothpick CAREFULLY.

 

Thank you Jim that was more of the answer I was looking for the coin is just a 1909 vdb it is not worth to much and I have 3 of them so this is just a test plus I don't even plan to sell it I'm keeping it either way.

 

Quartertapper's mention of a q-tip isn't too bad for a circulated coin either. Moisten with whatever solution and roll it across the surface rather than rubbing it across. Since you aren't trying to alter the surface patina, just remove foreign material from it, I would call this conservation rather than cleaning.

Jim

 

Don't let them all full you. There are many things you could do with that coin.
As long as it is Copper, you could try to find a Lead-Acid car battery and remove some of the Acid. It is a weak Sulfuric Acid. Difficult to find lately since so many auto batteries are now sealed. Take that liquid and place in a clean glass container and add your Copper coin. Depending on how long you leave them there, the entire outer service will be disolved and the coin will now look new and reallllly clean except a massive loss of details. If you do it long enough, eventually the entire coin will be gone and no more problems on how to clean one.
And added note is if you allow the remaining blue solution to evaporate, you'll usually get a really nice Blue toned crystal. :goofer:
All kidding aside, if you don't know how to clean a coin, and no one really does, just follow this rule. DON'T CLEAN COINS.

 

I know that rule haha I'm just trying to remove a little liquid on the surface not freakin put acid on it hahaha.

 

I read the posts on coin cleaning, not to do it. I wonder how many people never clean a coin that has already been cleaned? Most coins have already been cleaned at some time in their individual history. Coin cleaning and coin restoration are not one and same to me.

 

Don't run with scissors either !! Don't give your son or daughter a bb gun , they will shoot their eye out!! Don't drink milk past the expiration date!! Don't let the plutonium hemispheres come together !! ~ oh, wait, that is true!!

 

Uh... Okay??

 

I think you're going to approach cleaning the correct way, as long as you try with mild formulas, using extreme caution, a gentle touch, and inexpensive coins as test pieces. The more harsh chemicals you use, the faster you need to stop the process once you achieve the results you want. Whatever your results, good or bad, please post the results.

 

I think everyone should recognize the difference between experimenting at home with cleaning a high value coin, and removing some sort of residue from the surface of a low value circulated coin that is already heavily impaired by the presence of the material on the surface.