To clean...or not to clean? That is the Question!

Many of the coins I come across are so filthy as to leave soil on fingers, as well as paper surfaces used to back up photos. What solvent properties distilled water may possess are patently insufficient to do any really effective removal of such crud.

Denatured Alcohol, lacquer thinner, acetone, naphtha, mineral spirits, methyl ethyl ketone...the list goes on and on of available and effective solvents for short-term soaking of moderately soiled coins...particularly those with low value but high eye-appeal.

Simple Green is gonna be my next adventure with one of the worst cases: a Lincoln wheatie otherwise unworthy of a second glance except for the gunk on one side. I also have a couple older British pennies that were sloppily glued into an album at one time, and still bear the remnants of that adhesive caked on the reverse...great experimental material which, even if completely destroyed in the process (not likely) would be a zero loss.

The whole subject...the TABOO against cleaning coins, the infinite care one must exercise using the mildest of solvents, the opprobrium attached to the admission of having cleansed a coin: IMO is outrageously overblown and elitist.

I am not talking here AT ALL of high value coins...toners, the ancients, etc...nor about any attempt to 'improve appearance in order to deceive', nor about scrubbing with abrasive bristles or powders, using aggressive metal cleansers or high or low Ph fluids.

Just as you wash any item to remove soil-of-use, I strongly believe many coins shown on these forums would be enhanced by gentle, thoughtful cleaning...just as my penny with the yellow lacquer will be. I'll add to that post upon completion of my labors.

I look forward to hearing from all who have an opinion about this subject.

 

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I tend to agree, and it's 'harsh' cleaning which should be looked at in a very negative way. There are ways to clean a coin which are not harsh, those which remove foreign matter from the surface of a coin but do not alter the metal/patina, but they should only be done by people who know what they are doing.

As to the specific ways you listed, I would not try anything other then distilled water or xylol.

 

There's no way I'd use Simple Green to clean coins.....unless you want to permanently ruin them.

 

If one wishes to experiment on worthless coins, even if in ways known to cause damage, I see no problem as this can simply be part of the overall learning experience. Lord knows I've destroyed enough coins over the years, but I've no regrets.

 

So...what if you do use some cleaner, like a mild soap with no fragrance, and then you clean the coin thoroughly with distilled water. Wouldn't the surface be left with no trace of the cleaning agent? Just asking because I value your opinion.

 

Agreed, without question. When the crud and filth obscure identification, seeking higher opinion is a given. Thanks.

 

Acetone is cheap and it cleans most everything.......even mild soap residue. :devil:

 

Get the dirt and grime off of your coins people. Letting the crud sit there for fear of devaluation is ridiculous. If people are willing to pay more for coins with crap on them then that is their problem.

 

And, with all due respect, there is a HUGE difference between valuable MS state coins and average circulation coin roll finds.

 

Your assumption is apparently that the cleaning, in order to successfully 'expose' the D on the 1916 dime, or another indicator of high value, would be HARSH, and employ a toothbrush (shudder). Perhaps. But if those high value indicators were to remain hidden because NO attempt were made to expose them...what gain?

Seems to me to be a no-brainer: if there IS crud that may be successfully thinned, dissolved, or removed by a judicious, thoughtful approach, especially for those coins that MAY harbor such high-value indicators 'neath such crud, you are nearly obliged to ferret the truth, even at some considered risk. Otherwise you possess a slug wrapped in a question. The next fellow, or the one after, almost certainly will yield to burning curiosity...and perhaps will not have the patience, skill, or means to do a proper job of it.

Better by far to give it your best shot...and reap the reward, or weep the tears. We're only caretakers of this stuff, and the ephemeral nature of our brief transit emphasizes that reap or weep viewpoint. As a youth, I was far too patient about such things. I have lived long enough to have a healthy respect for my own folly...and my own skills. I ain't waitin' patiently for much anymore; if I want it, I'll have it...and own ALL the consequences thereby generated.

Your point, however, is appreciated as technically true and correct; I mean no disrespect, sir.

 

Oh dear, when the devil did we sink to archaeology on this forum? Raving archaeologists? Scrubbing with tooth brushes?

Dang.......anyone remember Ipana?

Works wonders on ancients.......I think......Medoraman will have my bacon in the morning.

 

Put them in the dishwasher and use the pot scrubber.

 

Top shelf only!

 

1948 English George VI penny: glued reverse



"I also have a couple older British pennies that were sloppily glued into an album at one time, and still bear the remnants of that adhesive caked on the reverse...great experimental material which, even if completely destroyed in the process (not likely) would be a zero loss."


Quoted meself, there...hope that's OK.

Pics above are one of the two pennies mentioned, after a 4 hour soak in a pretty stiff caustic (sodium hydroxide) bath: no effect apparent on the transparent goop obscuring the reverse. The colors are pretty accurate, the reverse being nearly black.

Denatured alcohol will be next, and only long enough to see if softening or other evidence of possible success appears. Acetone follows, if there's no discernible improvement. At that point I'll post another reverse pic, and be thinking out loud about what will follow. Heat is another tool; combined with immersion in a bit of bee's wax, 165F for an hour or so might break the bond 'twixt goop and copper. I'd like that.

For the record, current weight is 9.4gm

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That goes for scotch too..........

 

I, like you, do not mind safely removing harmful contaminants from my coins. I view this, if done correctly, as conservation and not cleaning. I also think playing around with low value coins is a good way to learn, so I hope you gain something from trying this.

I have to ask, do you have a background in chemistry? If I was in your boat, I would do a little bit of basic research into what types of solvents/cleaners will dissolve which types of contaminants, as well as which types of solvents will be safe on coins. A little bit of knowledge would really help understand what is likely to work and what is not, as well as inform you about what the cleaners are actually doing.