:(

These almost made me cry.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7708972_clean-silver-coins-baking-soda.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7521313_clean-silver-lemon-juice.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_6352283_clean-tarnished-silver-coins.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_6403791_way-clean-valuable-silver-coin.html

 

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Oh my gosh, Why do people clean coins?!

 

i only use brillo pads. . .

 

And they are all written by eHow contributors? What a shame. Some people never learn. :dead-horse:

 

I went to the first one and the intro says this:

You can easily and effectively clean silver coins with baking soda. Do not use this with your most valuable silver coins because it can be abrasive on the silver and lower the coin's value. It is safe, however, for your standard silver coins as it does not scratch the surface.

Read more: How to Clean Silver Coins With Baking Soda | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7708972_clean-silver-coins-baking-soda.html#ixzz1jaHwSeQM
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It's very contradictory, but I bet not too many people will notice. First it says it can be abrasive (which means that it will scratch and wear down the silver surface) but then it says that for non-valuable silver coins it won't. What? Does the baking soda know what is a valuable silver coin surface and what isn't so it knows whether to be abrasive to it???????

But people will read this, and because of the next line, "

Baking soda is a favorite ​

cleaning

substance for silver coins because it makes them really shiny.", they won't even be concerned that there is a discrepancy. They will take away that it is a favorite cleaner for "silver coins".

So, when you've said it a hundred times or more, and someone new comes on here, say it again "Never clean your coins!"


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Because some coins simply demand it. Not every silver coin will tarnish up to be a jaw dropping rainbow of beautiful pastels. A lot tarnish up splotchy an ugly and their only saving grace is a quick dip to remove the damaging environmental residues which cause such ugly toning.

 

these methods involve abrasive chemicals and polishing them with dish soap and a cloth

 

The problem with sites like that is there are inexperienced people writing things up. I just hope people look for a second or third opinion if they stumble onto that article.

 

The question was asked "Why do people clean coins?" The response did not specifically address the techniques you posted.

 

I tend to use my neighbor's belt sander. They look very shiny after I am done. :yes:

 

Its fast and easy, I do the same thing as cazkaboom

 

Safest way to clean coins begins and ends with two simple words...

Steel wool.

-Brian

 

Gets rid of all those distracting bumps and letters too.

 

When I became interested in coins, before the internet and all that, one of the first things I read on the subject was: DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COINS! It was such a stern warning that I was much afraid, and it's been that way ever since.

 

I just posted this Great Britain coin in the world coin forum at CT. Do you think it is a good candidate for the baking soda cleaning method? :rollling:

 

My estimates puts around 99% of the world population as either stupid, ignorant or just plain dumb. Once you realize most people are just stupid in the world, you won't be so surprised at what the stupid are capable of doing with just about anything.

We live in a world where people enjoy watching shows like Jacka-s-s, stupid people watching people do stupid things. I'm not surprised when people clean coins, they are much more capable of doing worse things.

 

i use napalm to clean my coins..lol. and diamond dust

 

And I thought I was bad with a sand grinder and Tarn-x and a blow torch to get toning

 

Oh, and as for cleaning coins, I just melt mine and re-mint them, well, for the silver that doesn't go towards my 50 foot solid silver statue of myself I'm working on.

 

I think it's a good candidate for leaving it exactly the way it is.