Hey so today i was fortunate enough to find a rainbow toned penny, 84. Mostly amber hue with blue and green. Only thing is that amidst the letter on the back, the top letters, there is a less than ideal white residue. How would you recommend removing it without ruining the toning. Some collectors say to briefly imerse the coin in diluted soap water and brush it with a Q-tip, would this be ok for it, or should I just use water, or will the water change the toning. Thanks
I also had a second question that also kind of pertains to this topic, I have several proof and uncirculated coins but they are a bit dirty, someone decided to put them into circ and they developed spots. Would dish soap and or water be safe, thanks again.
"Milk Spots" which is what is mostlikely on the proof coins that you have cannot be removed, or atleast there hasn't been anything found yet to remove them. PCGS actually has an offer of $25,000 to anyone who finds out to remove the spots without damaging the coin.
I dont know what the spots may be but i think its from a brief stint in circulation, All these may only be once uncirculated pennies but they have a reflective shine like a proof, but a bit duller, not quite mirror surface like the new silver proofs. I can see my reflection in them, though its dull. Their even shinier than the new pennies, but need washing, i decided just a light rinse in warm water. Btw than for the info, I may check up on the Milk spot issue, I know all of them have these light tarnish blemishes.
I would say 100% acetone and a cotton swab followed by a rinse/bath in distilled water, then gently pat dried with a soft cloth. Not on the proofs though, unless you want to experiment.
No you need pure acetone which can be bought at any paint store or hardware store. In my case my local Wal-Mart carries it.
NO. Go to the hardware store and purchase 100% acetone. Nail polish remover is diluted and has other chemicals in it - DO NOT USE.
Thanks, that helps, I already had a bottle of the nail polish remover waiting, good thing i didnt use it.
Cleaning any copper coin rarely turns out well. Most of the time you will end up with a regretable experience & wish that you had never attemped any type of cleaning. That's my 2-cents worth of advice on copper. If you do a search for "cleaning coins" here at CT, you will find hundreds of threads on the subject. Please review these past threads BEFORE you attempt any type of coin cleaning. Also, you can post a photo depicting the coin in question. Some members might be able to provide (good) advice.
Pure Acetone and distilled water soaks are typically OK. Any type of rubbing or scrubbing is typically bad. SOAPS Soaps can have additives that can cause more harm to your coins that the benefit of simply lowering surface tension normally associated with "soap". If you use soap on a bright copper coin I can almost guaranty you that the coin will develop surface problems during long term archival storage. The neutralization & final rinse after any cleaning process is critically important. I just wanted to mention all this before you begin processing any nice copper coins.
