Welcome to the forum coingirl. Acetone only, no heavy brushing. Others have their opnion as I do and they will give it.
The general answer is no, absolutely not. Cleaning a coin reduces its value significantly, and is considered a "problem" coin. People like their coins original, with their crusty patina (That is, the toning build up around the edges of the coin during its lifetime). Cleaning used to be acceptable a long time ago, but not anymore. Now if you have some really old crusty coins like ancients that are encrusted in dirt, I think soap and water is safe for those to remove the dirt.
WELCOME TO THE FORUM For cleaning coins, use the strongest acid possible.:whistle: If that doesn't work, use a Butane torch. OK so I'm kidding. Do not clean coins if at all possible. Naturally there are a few exceptions such as a coin covered with glue, gum, tar, etc. and you just want to see what it is. Other than that, do not clean coins. If you really want to study that subject, use the SEARCH thing at the top for cleaning coins, cleaned coins, etc.
Welcome to the forum Coingirl and I'll just add......resist the temptation to clean your coins. You impair the value. However, they're your coins and you can do what you bloody well please with 'em...... You like shinney, clean 'em. Want to preserve the value of what you have down the road, leave 'em the heck alone.....
As a rule coins should not be cleaned. There are some exceptions. If the coin has some PVC damage (usually associated with long term plastic flip storage), there are some PVC cleaners that do not affect the originality but remove the PVC. Also, clear ammonia will remove much of the dirt and other contaminants from coin surfaces. Use a Q-tip and apply very light pressure. Wash immediately with much warm water and PAT dry with very soft cloth. Do not rub!
Welcome Coingirl! You really don't want to clean your coins. As mentioned above, it kills the value and the desirability in most collectors' and numismatists' eyes. It can be safe to use gently running, clean water to remove loose dirt and debris from a coin -- then gently PAT (don't rub) the coin dry with a soft cloth. But you don't want to attack the color or toning with any kind of cleaner, abrasive, or rubbing action!
"Wash immediately with much warm water and PAT dry with very soft cloth. Do not rub!" -BigAl Sorry--when I opened the thread you had not posted yet -- I did not mean to nearly replicate everything you said in that last paragraph. Strange how we were both writing the same thing at the same time
Welcome and the answer is - No, yes and maybe but,,,, Welcome and the answer is - No, yes and maybe but,,,, Do a search on this subject and by the time your through reading all there is on coin cleaning you'll be to old and to tired to clean them. But really unless you have extensive experience and have looked at thousands of coins the general rule on cleaning is don't. They (your coins) ain't eating anything or going anywhere so just wait and learn, read and gain more knowledge.
For the person that posted this thread, I am a born again coin collector to, not only should you read up on cleaning a coin as suggested by the response to your question, but learn how to tell if a coin has been cleaned. I think that is an art un to its self. I have seen some really neat post about what to look fo in spotting a cleaned coin.
Welcome to CT coingirl. What do you collect and what are you thinking to clean? Do you have any photos to post of the coins you are thinking to clean? Another suggestion is to get familiar with using the CT 'search' tool in the tool bar above. Cleaning coins is a question and ensuing debate which has been addressed many times over and you will likely find some very useful information, opinions, admonishments and who here speaks with numismatic authority, knowledge of chemistry, speaks from dealer perspective, collector perspectives or any combination therein.
First, thank you for the warm reception! I don't have any coin in mind to clean, I'm pretty new to coin collecting, I've really not put too much thought into it. A few years ago I purchased a brick of pennies from our local bank and started plowing through them...I was amazed at what I found, Indian heads and wheats...I was hooked. To date that is the only manner in which I have located coins (except my Eisenhower silver dollars - I've purchased those directly from the bank when they have them...not often). I'm really afraid to purchase coins online because I'm afraid of what I might get. After the thrill of finding such treasures (at least to me...lol) I went out and purchased a set of the coin folders. This past weekend I found my first standing liberty 1/2 dollar...really it was in my Kennedy roll...I was shocked! :mouth: it is the only one I have, I don't even have the book for it (1944 second volume). I am finding it harder and harder to purchase the Eisenhower dollars from my local banks...but I continue to search. I've often wondered if there was a more effective means of acquiring coins...I simply am afraid fo purchasing coins online... Thanks for the warm welcome...I've attempted to read through several of the posts, but the language here is difficult to figure out...I will continue to read...maybe I will get it at some point. coingirl
I am doing my first purchase on line. I too am a little nervouse. I sent the money a week ago and once the chek cleared he said he would send the coins. Shouls have them today or tomorrow. I am pretty confident this guys legit. He came recomeded by a guy who is on this forum. If I might suggest if I was you, I would ask this forum, once you have specified what coin you want, what on line dealers are OK. I also strongly recomend finding a local dealer to go to. I really enjoy going my local dealer with my want list and looking at his coins and then buying them. Of course a little hagling will be in oder. There is something about the actual "look see" before you buy.
Hello Coingirl, #1 Don't rub your coins with anything including soft cloths or toothbrushes. You will leave little scratches which coin collectors hate. Also don't use chemicals until after you learn about their affects here. #2 Please post some photos of the coins to which you are referring. #3 It sounds like you have had incredible luck getting coins from your bank. I want to know where your bank is because I have not seen a walking liberty half dollar or an Indian cent in circulation for a very long time. I did get a Mercury dime in circulation last week. Very best regards, collect89
In my opinion, there is nothing that turns me away from a coin more than when I know or find out it's cleaned.. So my answer would be a definitive resounding, "No."
I have almost filled my Eisenhower dollars, almost filled my Kennedy book, there are several Indian heads I need (about 26) but I've found all of my coins through searching rolls of coins at the local banks. We don't have a coin dealer where I live, I'm in rural upstate NY...but I would not know what a fair price would be, so I would not be comfortable with that yet either. My question was just general, I have over 200 wheats and my eyes are not what they used to be so reading the date is somewhat difficult, I thought if it was ok to clean them I would, but I have no problem leaving them alone... I purchase bricks of pennies every two weeks, depending on my mood, around $100.00 worth, from that I usually get about 30-50 wheats, I've seldom pulled less than that, it is a pleasure when I run across the occasional indian head, but all that I own I own because of searching this way. I was prompted to post again this weekend when I found the Walking Liberty, I'm always so excited when something like that comes up...I have several Franklins found this way as well. I would really like to finish with my wheats and Indian heads before I move on to dimes etc. but I am sure I will be able to find many old coins through searching those rolls as well, I have several buffalos from searching rolls.
Roll searching is perfectly good way to locate coins. I think on some of the sets finding some of the key dates might be tough, but you never know. As for cleaning coins I think they have it covered. You might want to just go in and meet the dealer, check out some prices and maybe buy some supplies. Some dealers are very friendly and will help you become more comfortable and even assist in the learning process. The key is learning what you can about the type of coin you are interested in before beggining to buy coins. So keep roll searching and learning about the various types.
coingirl, check out this thread I made on cleaned coins. It should help: http://www.cointalk.com/t66255/
