It can't be worth much so how do I clean it? Google tells me that it is composed of brass and has been demonized (oops, I mean "demonetized"). Is this the best way? Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 tsp salt Add tarnished coins and other brass or copper items Swirl the solution over the items Soak for about an hour
Why would anyone? I wouldnt pick one off the street, and i dont want them back in change. Why the heck would i waste time cleaning them.
That would be a supreme waste of my time, and violate the principle that you should never clean a coin. That said, I know that in some cases, cleaning a coin is done (you are 'conserving' it), or when metal detector finds have something found that is covered with muck, or some of the ancients. This can be acceptable. The problem comes in trying to find the most perfect coin cleaning solution for modern or classic coins that will then be used, eventually if not right away, to ruin a good collectable coin. Now your coin may not be collectible and if you want to experiment on junk, that's your prerogative, but if you come on to the coin collector forum asking if this is the best solution, you will likely get these replies you have already gotten. People can argue, ad nauseum, about "well, how about this coin..." etc., but it all comes down to what your practice will be numismatically. And a basic of coin collecting is don't clean the coin.
In some (i.e. few) cases it makes sense - look at what Kasia wrote about ancient pieces that look like crud. Even in that case, you should know very well what you are doing. Problem is, many attempts at cleaning a coin involve abrasive substances, even if you think you do it gently. Of course you may clean your coins if you know very well that you will never try and sell them. They are yours, if you like them "shiny", go ahead. But if you you want or have to sell one of them one day, you will get less for it than what you would get for a coin that was not cleaned. Your decision ... Christian
I don't as a general rule clean coins. If I find an interesting coin that is fully or partially covered with green and white crud I have to get it off first to see if the coin is worth saving and if it is to get down to the coper so I can at least see it. On the advice I've got through these forums I soak it in mineral oil for a few days then a couple of hours in xylene. Then enough crap comes off so I can at least see what's underneath. I recently found a 1984-d 1do-002 that was green. All I could see was the split and separation line on the w of we, and the split tail of the oversized 9 of the date. I haven't touched, brushed, or scratched it with any abrasive. About 2/3 of the crap came off. Now I know it's the coin I'm after I'm soaking it in oil. Maybe for months. The blisters will remain but I'm confident I can get everything that's not copper off of it.
