Coin Restoration

I have recently purchased some ancient coins, unsearched, which are being sent directly from Rome. However, being coin enthusiasts, I wondered if there were any special tricks of the trade that I should know. As someone who has studied archaeology, I know how to use those methods, but for my own personal use, I don't think that I will be permitted to use the lab (added to that, they are unlikely to be very valuable coins... I just felt like dabbling! But I would like to do a good job using the methods people usually use. So, with that by way of explanation, I place myself at your mercy - how does one clean coins with easily accessible products and instruments?

 

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The best so far recommanded by a fair group of people to clean such coins is to use olive oil. Yes, your typical cooking olive oil. That should be ok with the coins, except you will need to soak them in for a good 4 months+ or so before you can see the result. The main reason is because olive oil is a slow burning acid, which doesn't do a harsh reaction like typical cleaning products.

Once that is up, you use acetone to clear the oil residues. I am sure there are people who have done the same procedure.

 

Hello tempe_muse

You should try olive oil. If your coins are really ancient (I mean roman or so) and full oft dust and/or encrusted, put them soaking into olive oil for a while (a long while actually, it can last for weeks) and then remove gently the dust with a wooden dental pick, under a magnifying glass. Avoid metal, acid, etc... that could ruin your coins

And show us the result, please...

Good luck
Cucumbor

 

Hello gxseries

You've been faster than I've been to say quite the same thing than you. Funny, isn't it ?

Cucumbor

 

I wouldn’t recommend using acetone on copper or bronze coins. It can produce some odd colors.

Then again…

 

As others have said Olive Oil is one of the tried & true methods.

Check into a couple of the uncleaned coins Yahoo groups, you'll get lots of help there. As far as them being unsearched, unless you're buying directly from the diggers they've most likely been gone through before you get them. Even the diggers know to keep an eye out for anything gold or silver & pull it out. The wholesalers over there are well trained in going through looking for anything of huge value, although sometimes folks get lucky because if it's to dirty they'll miss something. Although from your statements it sounds like you get that most if not all aren't likely to be valuable.

I tried these uncleaneds from some of the more reputable places recommended by the folks on one of the uncleaned coins groups & after a year they're pretty much either coins that are worn smooth or with very little detail. Out of about 100 I think we were able to ID 5 or 6, which wasn't considered a terrible ratio. Not worth it to me (I'd rather buy a couple nice coins), but lots of folks have fun with it & some do quite well. Just stay away from the eBay sharks with "gold found" in their ads.

 

Thanks for all this information! As I said, I am used to being well equipped and wanted to try some on my own. I don't have any expectations about getting super coins, but really just wanted the experience of doing something while I have some time off.
But the olive oil sounds like the go... I'll post when (and if) I get any results that exceed expectations!
Thanks again!

 

soak the coin in warm water with dish washing detergent for a half hour or so. then gently scrub the coin with a small bronze brush (available at any hardware store) to remove the heavy deposits. repeat the soaking and scrubbing if nessasary. finish the cleaning with a tooth pick and tooth brush. thats how i cleaned mine and they turned out wonderful. sounds crazy but it works, try one coin. way better than the 4 + month method. next time i have them out of the vault i will post a picture.

 

This method will ruin the coins. I strongly advise against it regardless of the claims and recommendations.

 

YIKES!

 

Holly Cow !!

Try the same on a lincoln cent or a Morgan dollar. If you're OK with the result, go on, you will be glad with your ancient. Otherwise, stay away
I'm sorry to say, the coins will be ruined
For myself I don't even touch them with anything metallic.
Cucumbor

 

http://www.cointalk.org/search.php?searchid=182425

Here are some posts which address cleaning ancient coins. Unfortunately the use of a brass brush is required in some cases. I've had remarkable luck using the brush, pick, olive oil, and an electrolosis (sp) outfit.

Here are sone coins I've cleaned.

Take Care
Bone/Ben

 

Hello Bone

I'm sorry I have to disagree
I really think that the use of metal or electrolysis affects the surface of the coin. The result is that you remove all the crust and the dust but also part of the coin itself. More, as the patina is not a deposit but the result of a chemical reaction between the coin and its environment, if you remove it, you remove part of the metal. And some details of the engraving can be lost forever.

Cucumbor
PS : I hope my pinguin english is understandable

 

Oh, no problem Cucumbor. I understood what it was your saying with no problems I agree with you there is at times a terrible trade-off when using harsher methods of cleaning coins. My point was in the worst case situation, harsh methods are used.

B

 

Oh, thank you Bone ! :goof:
Cucumbor

 

Here is a method I saw first hand while walking in the ancient souks of Aleppo in Syria, I saw some coins dealers there cleaning their coins with a lemon !! they bring a lemon ( with thin skin ), cut it in half and use the half with the surface of the lemon down to pass it over the coin, it is really amazing ! you get INSTANT new look of this old dirty coin !