Dirty Gold Sovereigns, clean or not?

Hi,

I just inherited a few gold coins, a sovereign and three half sovereigns, here's the full sovie:



The thing is, as you can see, they're pretty clarty. I know gold is non-reactive so I assume they should be pretty easy to clean up but, from point of view of value, I know most coins shouldn't be cleaned.

My mum knows a jeweller who has 'baths' to clean gold and other metals, could I ask her to clean them up?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

What the heck is on them... it almost looks like... blood.

 

Gold does not react with air and other materials like silver or copper does. In this case, it almost looks like something spilled and dried on the coins.

 

When I say 'inherited' I'm not being euphemistic! Not a clue what it is though the worst of it does flake off with a little rub of my fingernail.

 

Maybe soak it in soapy water. Don't scrub/rub them. Just soak. Then pat dry them off with a soft micro fiber cloth. It looks like they may have had paper burnt onto them or something similar.

Anyway, if you're planning on keeping the coin, maybe send them in to a conservation company. If your goal is to sell the coin, maybe sell it as is?

 

Don't clean them. It takes a long time to learn how to properly clean coins, and you probably don't want to practice on coins like this.

 

What? I would assume this would be the EXACT type of coin to practice on with non-Ph chemistry cleaning. It's worth melt in anything less than UNC condition.

 

Arrrhhhh its always good luck to bury a dead man with the treasure. I say clean em up with warm soapy water and gently wipe with a very very soft cloth. Arrrhhhh

 

I think it's best to only try on circulating coins.

But hey, it's not my coin.

 

Dude I will call up my conversation friend and he will, ahettem, convince you of your sinful ways.

 

Try a light rub with a well soaked alcohol pad, just don't let it get too dry. I have had good results with removing dried glue and other substances this way without causing hairlines on silver and gold coins.

 

Try acetone & see if it works in this case. It just might.

 

Thanks for the tips guys, consensus seems to be a light clean. I'll try some soapy water and maybe some alcohol if that doesn't work.

 

Seconded.

 

Why not use alcohol if it works? Will not discolor the coin as acetone is known to do with other metals. The coins are worth around bullion value anyway. If anything, improving the eye appeal would actually help with value rather than hurt it.

 

If even many harsher chemicals aren't supposed to do much against gold, so what's the case with alcohol?

 

want us to save all the alcohol eh grandpa?

 

soak in lemon juice,it will not hurt gold,then gently wipe,it will come up like new