What is the best ways to clean the different metals? I don't have anything special yet, but I want to know how to do it! Any help would be appreciated!!
If you want (it is a personal thing), distilled water or acetone on copper coins, using a cotton swab to remove heavy grease/grime.
I soak coppers sometimes in alcohol followed by distilled water and dealers I spoke to said this was OK. Silver can be dipped in acetone and that seems to do the best job but you can also use alcohol and distilled water if they are gross. Sometimes more drastic measures need to be taken. I found a 1949 dime that had thick caked on gunk covering the mintmark. I used vinegar. As a general rule, if it is not needed for some good reason, do not clean your coins. Wash your hands before and after handling or wear gloves.
A water pick works good on gunked up coins that you know are not worth much, or if you just don't know what they are. Whatever you do don't rub, just pat dry with a microfiber cloth. If you think they have value just leave them alone.
The water pick (I was about to say ice pick) sounds like a great idea. Can you use distilled water with it?
Distilled water works great. I use hot water out of the tap. Makes a mess though so you probably want to do in outside. It's a basicly mini pressure washer.
