Need some advice on cleaning some coins

I just purchased a small lot of coins including some Morgan silver dollars and I simply want to give them a subtle cleaning before I put them in new holders. The coins, to put in nicely, came from a rather dirty home that had a few cats.

1. A quick wipe with a micro fibre cloth and some acetone.

2. A tiny amount of dish soap and warm water along with my microfibre cloth.

3. A fine toothbrush and either of the above.

A couple of the Morgans may be sent for away grading so it has to be a subtle method so that my coins don't come back as being cleaned.

I am new to collecting coins so show some patience and understanding.

 

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I understand so far and thanks but I soak them and wipe them clean with what?

 

Before you consider cleaning (or conserving) your coins you need to determine what it is you're trying to remove. An improperly cleaned coin will be one that shows friction lines due to a cloth or brush scratching against the surface, so the way you conserve your coin is very important, as is determining what is on your coin that you want to remove. If it's just a dark patina that is distracting to the eye you certainly can "dip" them quickly and they'll still be eligible for grading. I think 50:50 solution of ammonia is very good for this and very gentle. It's nothing like the strong "EZ-clean" or other products that rip the surface off. Also, keep in mind that a dipped coin is not considered "improperly cleaned" but repeated dipping can cause a coin to lose a tick or two in grade.
If, on the other hand, it is simply grim and dirt from leading a rough life, then an acetone bath or even warm water with dilute dish soap can do wonders. But again you would want to do nothing that would leave lines or impressions on the surface of the coin itself.

 

If that's your intent, I suggest option 3. It's the most likely to "have [your] coins coming back as being cleaned."

 

You do not want to "wipe" your coin, instead you press it carefully between a cloth or paper towel with NO movement one way or the other. Press it straight down and release. Never wiping or moving the towel or cloth vertical against the coin.

 

There's a misconception that all cleaned coins cannot be graded. This is not true, the grading companies do not automatically give "details" on coins that have been cleaned, rather they give details on coins that have been improperly cleaned...big difference! Removing gunk and crap from a coin that has no business being there is perfectly acceptable provided it's performed properly and does not damage the coin. NCS conserves (cleans) coins all the time. Purest will always argue against any removal of gunk, and that's their prerogative, but regardless what anyone says, a properly cleaned coin is eligible for grading at all the major TPG co's.

 

Thanks for all the replies and I think my questions have been answered.
All I want is a clean coin, free of grime to go into a nice new holder.

 

Need some advice on cleaning some coins Don't.....

 

After the acetone, hold by edge ,rinse acetone over the coin and allow it to air dry while still holding by edge. takes about 15 seconds. Do in a ventilated, no flame area. No wiping necessary. If it still looks gunky repeat the process.

As a suggestion, If a person is inexperienced on this, don't be impatient. Put your good coins aside and wait until you have gained experience and knowledge. Chemistry for instance. The nice coins can be rinsed in acetone to stop any fingerprint damage or PVC substances, out into an inert holder, and wait 5 to 10 years. IMO.

Jim

 

I've got a die grinder and a belt sander if you want to clean your coins. But seriously, any friction you use as a result of wiping or polishing will kill all the numismatic value.

But let me know if you want to borrow those power tools, you can paypal me the shipping costs then we will be good to go!

 

Why would you wanna clean it? It damages the value. Worth nothing but melt when cleaned. NEVER CLEAN COINS!

 

I have been rinsing with distilled water after the acetone bath. Is it safe to let the acetone evaporate and not wash it off?

 

Yes, if it is pure acetone, it will evaporate off of the metal and take any small amount of moisture with it.Again, it is best to do in a ventilated, flame free area.

Jim

 

Please no abrasive method , dipping is an accepted method , but more coins have been ruined from dipping than improved . If you feel you must mess with your coins , practice on some cheap coins of the same composition .Soap and water may sound benign but different soaps contain some pretty harsh chemicals . It's better to buy coins you like that don't need conservation than cheaper coins that do . Best advice is to leave them alone .

 

It's a good thing you asked first! Every method you outlined is BAD and would have resulted in damage.

Go to a hardware store and buy a can of acetone. For storage purposes, all you need to do is hold the coins by the rim and rinse each side with acetone. The acetone will completely evaporate within a few seconds, immediately put the coins into a holder or album. DO NOT RINSE WITH WATER AFTER ACETONE. Doing so will rehydrate the surfaces and invite corrosion. I disagree strongly with Doug on this....but he's not a chemist and I am. LOL

 

One small caveat to this. Many plastic holders will melt in acetone so if you're going to do this be 110% sure you no longer have ANY residual acetone on the coin before you place it in a holder.
And BadThad, I, too, am a chemist but I do not believe there is an issue with "rehydration" short of condensation due to the coin being cooled by the evaporation of the acetone. If rinsed with acetone and then left for a few hours in the open air should not be a problem. Even coins in plastic holders will equilibrate with the ambient humidity the coin is being stored in.

 

do not clean any coins , you should might as well flush them down the drain. you destroy the value..

 

Excellent point I often overlook....acetone will MELT most plastics. Keep it away from all plastic to be safe.

Think about the hydration issue on a micro, molecular-scale. All metal surfaces will adsorb water. Using acetone and immediately protecting the coin in a container like an Airtite will minimize atmospheric adsorbtion. Saturating the surface with water and allowing to "dry" in normal, humid, room air will re-equalibrate the metallic surface forming an even micro-layer of water molecules.

Bottomline, why not play it safe and dehydrate with acetone and store the coin rather than playing russian roulette? I don't understand how anyone can argue my point.