"Safe" Coin Cleaners?

Hey, here's a subject we beat to death. Cleaning coins.
Not something I do on a regular basis but figured I'd pick your brains with this one.

I have on occasion actually used a cleaner called Blue Ribbon. Was a "closet" cleaner at first as I felt shame.
Then I actually saw the stuff in two shops that I frequent and trust. Turns out both of these guys used it as well.
It is designed to remove dirt and leave a thin protective coat. Can be used on ANY type of metal.
Unfortunately not available any more. I still have a few bottles that I got when they stopped producing it and that should last me a lifetime.

Well, I never used this on a "better" piece till I spoke with a very trusted person at one of the local shops.
He has used Blue Ribbon on MANY coins and then had them slabbed by PCGS and NGC with NO problems.
He suggested using it on some of my RB Two Cent pieces to help retain color.
Like I said, I REALLY trust this guy and took the plunge. Coins look great. Do not appear to be cleaned in any way but still retain the good color.

Now before anyone jumps all over me for "cleaning" a coin I know the sermon.
What I'm looking for is any information on similar products. Actually Blue Ribbon does just remove dirt. It won't make a coin loaded with verdigris come clean. Just not that harsh.

Since we know that people WILL clean coins the question remains. Are there any "safe" cleaners out there these days?

 

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I would lock your doors before the lynching party arrives!

 

tick tisk tisk

 

No need bullets will stop the ropes.

Seriously though I don't advise cleaning myself. However, sometimes it helps.

The last coin I cleaned was an 1892-O Morgan. Had gum or something on it. Was able to remove the gum and then sell same coins as a "cleaned" coin. Was straight forward about it and the buyer was happy to fill a hole cheap with no gum on it.

I figure if it passes PCGS CONSISTENTLY it can't be bad.

 

well.... to each his own, I personally haven't cleaned a coin in about 8 years and that one was with pure acetone to remove tape residue as my grandfather had taped it to an index card

 

Thanks for your input. Finally a decent comment.
People seem to be missing the gist of this thread. Other than the Morgan I mentioned I might clean two coins a year. Preservation of color was the reasoning on my 2 Cent Pieces.

Here's the real gist again folks.

WE KNOW people are going to clean coins. Can we AT LEAST give them a safer way to do it with what's on the market?

Peronally don't like acetone. I paint for a living and know how much I enjoy it on my hands.

 

I had a pretty bad looking morgan dollar a couple of years ago with a lot of miscellaneous "stuff" on it and it cleaned up fairly well by soaking it in WD40. It didn't lose the toning and didn't look cleaned afterward. However, it was a circulated coin to begin with and I wouldn't try this on an MS coin.

 

Might be good stuff, don't know. I agree with bq, to each his own. Just know this: Never use kaboom to clean coins, it doesn't help at all. And let's leave it at that. Could you post pics of your 2 cents pieces, to see how they turned out? Take care.

Phoenix

 

Here's a few scans that are older. Chose the small motto (which is brown) and the 66 (closer to a red brown). They look fine believe me. I can get bigger scans but don't hold your breath waiting as that would entail pulling them all out of the holder and and unfortunately I work a lot.

Hope these give you some idea.

 

I've heard that Koinsolv works very well. I'm about to buy some of it and try it on some coins I've got that have PVC and some other gunk all over them.

On a side note, while I was at the Central States show in St. Louis a couple of weekends ago, I overheard a couple of very prominent dealers talking. One of them was showing the other a coin. He said "All it needs is a little dip and it will be fine." The other responded, "Yep." So there definitely are people out there cleaning coins, but like GD said, you have to know what you're doing before you do it and practice on some pocket change or something before you clean anything with any real value.

 

clembo:
That is one of the nicest sm's that i have seen in a long time.
Mine is no where as nice, only a G-4+ and a VG-10.
A definite keeper.

 

One of the dealers near me dips virtually all silver coins that pass through his shop. He's good at it [apparently] and treats it as a normal business practice, presumably because his customers like them that way. I showed him a few of my morgans one time and his immediate response was, "You should dip them."

 

I came across something strange the other day while cherry picking Lincolns with my kids. This is sort of related to cleaning coins but on sort of a proactive or preventative basis. While going through coins we kept finding 1975 Canadian pennies that looked like they were in completely perfect condition. One after another so I decided to take a close look at them. It almost looked as if they has some ultra thin completely clear coating over them. It was very hard to see. I'm not talking plating but almost a lacquer spray.
Is there some type of product out there that coats coins and preserves them? I've never heard of one but I like the results I've seen on these coins.

 

Hmm, someone should try different coatings on coins, like laquer, varnish, shellac ect.

 

Thanks Frank. Glad I could share it with you.

Back to the topic I know many dealers dip coins. I've never done that. I personally prefer my silver coins toned.

I fully agree with knowing how to use a cleaner if you are ever going to. The Blue Ribbon was so easy even a cave man could do it (sorry Geico).
Apply gently with a q tip or as I did put some on a cotton ball and place saturated area on coin. NO rubbing. You could let it sit as long as you wanted. Then blot with a clean cotton ball.

Believe me the two cent pieces got extra special care. As for the 92-O Morgan that I sold yea I worked it a little. Wasn't too concerned about a VG coin. Just wanted to find it a home less the gum or whatever.

I appreciate everyones input and hopefully a few new to the hobby have learned something.

 

I saw one the other day when I was searching for nic-a-date. There was a whole list of nic-a products and one was to put a coating over the coin to preserve it

 

If the container has it could you post what is in Blue Ribbon

 

I know in the 60's this one coin dealer use to laquer or apply olive oil to shine Lincolns
I never bought any from him - but they were pretty good looking. Tisk Tisk Tisk

 

nice coin