Cleaning Coins with Pencil Eraser!

Just because a coin doesn't have sandpaper taken to it or isn't dipped in a chemical bath doesn't mean the flow lines are not disrupted... removing crud from the coin requires some force, and that force definitely can abrade the surfaces of the coin, especially given how sensitive the surfaces of coins can be. It's a moot point without pictures anyway, I'll trust the dealers over your opinion, no offense.

By the way, in able to see flow lines on a coin, you basically need an electron microscope.

 

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i clean mine in moonshine !!!

 

There should be a forum for non-collectible coins then people can show off their cleaned and polished coins; their homemade errors; their fantasy discoveries etc..

 

And water will never wash away stone like the Grand Canyon.

 

As an artist and a newbie collector I have tried the eraser method on junk coins that were dirty and tarnished, as well as clean new ones. I would never use a typical erasers, NEVER, they are harmfull, even to paper, havent used them in over 10 years, I would recommend using vinyl white erasers, they are soft and absolutely non-abrasive, ive never seen even the slightest damage to any coins ive tried, it removes the dirt and leave the nice patina unless there isnt any patina. Give it a try, take something from the 60-70's with alot of use on it.

 

60's an 70's far away. So too the pencil eraser.........

 

I knew a dealer that erased his coins. They all had hairlines and were all ruined.
Needless to say, I did not buy many from this man.

 

Just so you know the white vinyl erasers you speak of (often called Mars erasers) have a nice high PVC content. I would NEVER recommend their use in cleaning a coin. Plain demineralized water is the strongest cleaner I use on most coins (only because I haven't picked up a can of acetone for dipping yet)

 

What does acetone do?, also i dont use the typical mars erasers, if i used any they are the vinyl stick eraser type, super soft kind, maybe it does have hight pvc content but ive never seen any damage and i have a microscope, although im not rough with them.

 

A guy at the LCS taught me a neat way to think about this:

Anything you push across a coin will tend to cause a scratch, especially if there's material on it which you might be trying to remove.

I've kept that as my mantra every time I even consider touching a valuable coin. Even removing dust with a q-tip can scratch if you're not careful.

Think about it...merely the way an eraser functions contraindicates its use on a coin.

 

Dang, I used an eraser on my car and it is all scratched up. Must have been the dirt and grit I was scrubbing around. Now where was that 1909-S-VDB...

 

I think that your eraser is an abrasive surface. You should never clean coins

 

Using erasers on your coins will damage your coins period.

 

Well it is better than the rock tumbler idea someone else suggested.

But what do I know!

 

Oh dear........again. We still talkin' 'bout this stuff?

Stop it!

[video=youtube;Ow0lr63y4Mw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow0lr63y4Mw[/video]

 

I completely disagree. Here is a simple experiment for you. Take ANY proof coin, that has nice mirrored surfaces, with no previously deposited 'crud', and have at it with your vinyl erasers... even with the naked eye, the results will speak volumes to you...

 

While we're at it, let's discuss the rampant use of the dreaded vinegar and salt dip...ugh.

 

And what's left over you can just toss into the salad.......