Hello, I've dug a bunch of non-special coins while metal detecting, and while I know cleaning is usually not a good idea, these are not valuable in any condition. I decided to try electrolysis to do some cleaning, and was not completely pleased. I'm posting a few pictures of a 1976-D cent that was in for 10-minutes. Can anyone tell me if these results are typical? Would longer be beneficial? Was 10-minutes too long? Is there another technique that would have been better? I know that I need to smooth down the teeth on the aligator clip (marks seen by the second "A" in "AMERICA"). I know the pictures aren't the greatest, but they are about as good as I can do with my camera. Thanks, Jay
To answer your question - yes, electrolysis is known to leave coins looking like that. Bad idea. We have another member, can't think of his name right off, but he was a metal detector guy too. And he used hydrogen peroixide (just soaking as I recall) to clean his ground finds and he seemed to have pretty good luck with it.
That would be me. For normal, non-collectible coins (no key dates!) heat hydrogen peroxide in the microwave (without the coin) for 15 seconds and then drop the coin in. It'll begin to fizz. Check it every few minutes. Do this until the encrustation is removed. You may have to warm the peroxide a few times if the coin is really bad. For other extreme cases, I've even used denture tablets. Remember when you do this, you are destroying any numismatic value the coin may have. Careful with the electrolysis. A friend of mine did it to his oldest coin (mid 1800's) and disintegrated it.
The effects will of course vary with the % of hydrogen peroxide. Normal medicinal hydrogen peroxide is 3% you can buy higher % at your local beauty supply store, called "developer" generally. Do not get the "creme" version, just the "clear" Hmm sounds like steroids For cosmetic use it is labeled in V (volumes of oxygen released) 20V is 6% 30V is 9% 40V is 12% Also you can get 30,35, and 50% on the internet, but I would not use those unless you understand oxidizers, as even spilling on clothing, etc, can be flammable after drying. Heating makes any peroxide more unstable ( what you want). Strangely enough some people spray it up their nose and in their throat as a poor man's oxygen therapy ( see that in the local mall Be careful, use goggles and commonsense. I keep my 30% in a refrigerator. Jim
