I'm a newbie here. After reading thru many posts on this site, it seems to me that the general consensus is that it is a big NO-NO to clean coins. Is there a safe way to clean coins to just get dirt and corrosion off but still keep the tone of the coin. I'm not wanting it to make it look new, I just want some of the nasty stuff off of a few coins. Alcohol or Acetone maybe....??
This is going to be good ...popping some popcorn and pulling up a chair. You answered your own quesion: "it is a big NO-NO to clean coins."(PERIOD). NO means NO. In the future, try not to collect problem coins (i.e. coins with nasty stuff).
I posted a thread similar to this a few weeks ago. http://www.cointalk.com/t218720/ I've learned there's a difference between cleaning and preserving coins. Perhaps post a few pictures of the coins in question. Your dimes, however, look very similar to mine. There are also some great threads about acetone buried in the site if you use the search function.
Yep, if the coin has black #$%^ all over it, its easier to purchase one then clean it and on and on. I have found that an old vibrating toothbrush and warm water does a fine job-but not on a 1909-s VDB type coin. good luck
