My scary adventure - 25 hour ancient coin soak

@Victor_Clark - That jar of coins looks like tons of fun.
Let me get familiar with the various ways to deal with the coins. Different coins have different problems and probably will need different types of attention. When I get more familiar with them and am not so afraid that I'm going to ruin something and then find out it's a MAJOR rare find, then perhaps you can send me some coins of yours to clean up - but I would send them back to you. I would enjoy that. I owe you something, (I feel), for the beautiful coins you sent me recently.

 

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there are lots of different ways to clean coins. I have cleaned thousands and used many methods like chemicals - bases (sodium hydroxide) and acids, electrolysis with various solvents, rock tumbler with a sawdust medium, ultrasonic cleaning, crockpot soaking with different cleaning agents, vibratory case cleaner (commonly used for brass cartridges), assorted soaking methods (distilled water, olive oil etc.) mini mite Dremel with different attachments, many mechanical methods with an array of picks, scalpel blades and a lighted microscope for delicate work. However, I don't recommend that anyone clean coins unless they are willing to potentially destroy a coin.

 

This sounds interesting.. so you cook them?

 

I have kept coins in the crockpot for a few weeks. you have to refill the water as needed and brush them every couple of days. I use a denture brush and I also usually put in some alconox, which is a "powdered precision cleaner"

 

Medical professionals treat some patients with drugs and others with surgery. They value their ability to sort which is which. Lawyers encourage some to sue and some to settle; some to go to trial and some to plea. They value their ability to sort which is which. Soldiers shoot some people and protect others. They value their ability to sort which is which. Stock traders buy some and sell others. They value their ability to sort which is which. Practitioners from each of these groups decide they want to clean coins and expect there to be a simple answer that fits every lump of dirt. Go figure.

Risk evaluation seems to be a part of everything. How you play depends on what you are willing to lose.

I am require to point out for the ten thousandth time that cleaning ancient coins and collecting ancient coins are two completely different hobbies. They are related in the same way as piloting a plane and buying a ticket on a plane. I do not participate in cleaning coins as a hobby. Many of you feel the same way about my side hobby of photographing coins but I very rarely destroy a coin while photographing it. Participate in the hobby of your choice. I would be happier if Coin Talk had a separate group for cleaners (Forvm Ancients does!). Considering what it took to get us separated from collectors of modern world coins, I'll not be suggesting that!

 

I appreciate hearing the thoughts and opinions of those who have been involved in coin collecting for many years. I certainly do not take what you share lightly. Thank you all for your comments.

 

Nice jobs so far.