Cleaning your coins.

I've read this entire thread and found it to be extremely helpful. Thanks everyone for all the input.

Now, about my specific 1885 Morgan. Some of you have, no doubt, seen the pictures in the "How much is it worth?" forum of my grubby little fingers right on the obv and rev. It seems that I made a common newbie error of thinking that low-value coins don't need to be handled carefully. I figured as long as I didn't drop it or bang it on any hard surfaces then I wasn't doing any damage.

So, to be sure I've understood this thread, is it okay for me to do the 3-stage acetone dip (as outlined by GDJMSP) for 15-30 secs each dip to get rid of finger oils? If so, how long to I have before the oils start damaging the coin? I bought it last Saturday (3/29) so it's had finger oils on it since then.

 

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Go ahead and do the acetone dip. if it doesn't help it will still make a nice pocket piece!

Richard

 

It is bad if they are flips with PVC in them. There are non-PVC flips that can be used for long term storage. However, flips allow the coin to move around a bit, and this could cause wear on a coin...not such a big concern with ancients that have a thick patina though.

 

say, im glad i read that I wont clean them anymore

 

all im going to say do not clean coins.

 

i think cleaning coins is an awful thing to do. it takes away it's story....down the drain......through the subway.....in a little boy's piggy bank.....it takes not only just it's worth away but its story...

 

it's know point

 

i am a novice collector who beleives that i have purchased several f not many cleaned coins. how can one detect if the evil deed has been done? thanks!

 

Hey there, JBM...

It really depends on the coin, but any coin that has visible and obvious wear but looks like it just came from the mint (ie. bright red copper, shiny luster on silver and clad), it's probably been cleaned.

I haven't been at this long enough to tell if a coin has been dipped (in a mild acid solution, and is quite common), but whizzing can be detected by the telltale micro-scratch marks left by the rotary tool.

The absolute best way to determine if your coin has been cleaned, is to take some good pics and post them here. There are a lot of knowledable folks here who would be more then willing to help!

 

Clean it if you dont like soiled coins. Just clean it right. Lots said in this thread, some good advice, some simply horrible advice that defies logic. Sad if some inexperienced collector walks away thinking they should keep a coin dirty and soiled instead of taking just a few simple harmless steps to clean it off and have a nice coin. If you like a dirty soiled coin...more power to you of course.

Cleaning a valuable coin can improve the coin, its value, its eye appeal and in the end it will help preserve it.

If you have a soiled coin, lightly clean it. Use common sense. If you have a dirty soiled coin...soak it for a bit in distilled water...it wont harm the coin but it will help break down dirt deposits. If you have a heavy circulated soiled coin...do you honestly think a little light rubbing with a soft cotton cloth is going to harm it any more than circulation already as done to it? Not at all...think about it...soft cotton - hard metal...you aren't etching the coins surface with soft cotton no matter how much someone says you are. Fingerprints? they can be safely removed. If a person is going to buy a coin and stick it under a microscope at 40x to 400x magnification and then moan that the surface as microscopic scratches...try to find a coin that doesn't...and good luck.

Cleaning a coin correctly is not going to harm your coin, it might even improve eye appeal. Take just a bit of time to LEARN how...its not a secret.

Post a coin here to see if its been cleaned? A coin can be cleaned with out in any way making any visible marks on a coin so if a properly cleaned coin is posted here with toning preserved, people will only be able to guess no matter how much they say they can tell you. I could post 3 coins right now, one of them cleaned...nobody will be able to tell...

The only problem with cleaning a coin is improper cleaning...anyone can clean a coin, its cheap and easy to learn and there is simply no reason to send it off to anyone to be 'conserved' in extreme cases. Cleaning a coin is not at all a bad thing...only improper cleaning. The more that is said the better...

 

Proof Coin Haze

The professional conservators such as NCS have discovered the correct way to remove haze from a proof coin.Has anyone had the luxury of working for any of these leading companies and gleaned any tips on how and what they use in the process.I understand the dangers of cleaning with acids and abrasives,this is well understood.Haze removal can be done safely but how?

 

Proof Coin haze

In addition to my last post, I suspect the conservators bath the coin in a solution of some kind and use a water pic type device for moving the surface debris.The US Mint uses sonic drying and I am sure that is the way the conservators dry coin. Please add your comments on what the secret cleaning method may be.

 

Proof Coin Haze

The nice work of NCS.How do they do it?

 

I kinda like the before pic better


stainless

 

wait till you see the nice work of ncs they should call it the no coin service

 

cleaning is good if well done.

 

do not clean coins!!!!!!!!!