Coin cleaning ?

I remain a believer in a formal disciplined approach to learning numismatics, apparently unlike Aidan. Yes, it is possible to "brute force" one's way to the topics one thinks he prefers "out of the gate", but I've found that sort of undisciplined approach is far less fruitful in the long run.

I can't begin to describe how much "clutter" on this site could have been eliminated if more newbs had availed themselves of "Introduction To Numismatics" and/or "The Modern Minting Process" before bursting forth from the intellectual wasteland that is YouTube.

 

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I've been watching Korean Pop videos on that "intellectual wasteland" all day, thank you very much

 

One more hint, IF you can get access to some "old school" traditional photography manuals and guides. Classic photography is loaded with the "chemistry of silver", and a fair amount is useful to understanding colors and tones on silver coins.

 

Then I stand confirmed.

 

Yes, the damage is already done, otherwise there would BE no corrosion.

 

There a plenty of numismatists who don't have that formal approach, especially in the ancients section where reading books and asking questions on various topics is the norm.

 

The fundamental differences in the ancients field are acknowledged and irrefutable. I'd love to see more ancients talks in ANA Money Talks at conventions, and maybe a few fewer bullion bug talks.

 

I think the coin could be greatly improved by a coarse wire brush

 

Are you sure that's corrosion? If it is, spend the coin.

If it's possibly a foreign substance, soak the coin in water. If that doesn't do anything, soak in acetone, then xylene. If those don't do anything, spend the coin.

There's nothing wrong with experimenting with a numismatically worthless coin. Experience is the best teacher, and your efforts may lead you to learn more on the subject.

 

I think I read somewhere to use table salt and vinegar for copper coins, but would test on some junk coins first

 

I've done this on a few metal detector finds. I mix the vinegar 50/50 with water, add table salt, put in the copper coins, stir gently to agitate and remove after 10-15 seconds. It gets some of the gunk off for sure. I wouldn't do it on anything I thought had value though.

 

Did some limited experimenting with this kind of treatment, and as long as the coins are rinsed thoroughly enough to remove all the salt and vinegar, they seemed to clean up and age well.