I have a metal detector and have found some coins. They have a lot of clay stuck to them that doesnt wash off in woter. i know that you shouldn't clean coins but I would like to safely get the mud and clay off. Any help?
If soap and warm water doesn't work, then soak them in olive oil for a while. Oil is the strongest and least harmful cleaner hands down.
there are different types of clay, but all generally are microscopic particles of various minerals bonded by water. When clay is dried ( as may be on the coins), they are fairly impermeable to water at the beginning. They may have to soak for a while. In ceramics, when my clay dries hard, I put it is a plastic container with a wet towel , and over a period of weeks it become usable again. Unless the clay is an artificial oil based clay ( such as used for petroleum drilling) oils will penetrate even less. I would soak in water until the outside feels slick and then use a stream of water. It depends on the thickness of the clay.
Thanks for the infomation. I will soak them in water for a while and if that don't work i will try the oil too.
