So when I was in Britain a few weeks ago, I saw this Victorian penny at a souvenir shop and decided to get it. I thought it would be a nice edition to my collection. Well, I took it out of the plastic wrapping (it was with a bookmark) and I found out that they had glued it on to the bookmark! Eventually, I was able to carefully get it off, but now there's a nice, big, brown splotch on the back. Is there any way to gently clean this off, or do I just have to get used to looking at the brown splotch? Here's a pic:
Cleaning coins is frowned upon. That said is this thing worth anything? If not and you just want a nice a memory there are plenty of threads here that talk about dipping, just don't scrub it. Pretty coin.
Thanks! Yeah, I know that most cleaning is "bad", but I believe there are some exceptions if one does so carefully. I'm still not sure if the brown will come off though.....
Cleaning may be frowned upon , but if done right it's an industry standard . NGC dips coins or their sister company NCS dfoes . They know when , (usually ) and how to do it , that's the main importance . A soak in distilled water can't hurt and may be all it needs to get that paper off , if there is still glue attached try some pure acetone . Never wipe a coin dry always pat it dry . Good luck with your coin Also it wouldn't hurt to practice on a bunch of worthless coins for practice . preferably of the same composition .
the coin pictured looks heavily polished to me. i would go ahead and do an acetone dip followed by a rinse of distilled water (not entirely nessisary but i feel its worthwhile) cody
With a coin this worn, you can't do too much harm. Start off slowly and try soaking it in water for a few days, rinse with distilled water. Doesn't do it? Soak in acetone for a day or so. Doesn't do it? Soak in Xylene for a day or so. Doesn't do it? Consider a cleaning dip. I'm not sure which ones are good for copper, but someone might respond with a worthwhile suggestion.
