Salt, tin, and distilled water to clean coins

I think I sent this twice. Sorry!!

 

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Actually I once tried an experiment where I dipped/soaked cents in a solution of table salt dissolved in vinegar. The cleaning worked remarkably well, and in the coins I made sure were cleaned of any residue after the cleaning, they didn't seem to tone upon observation for a couple of weeks.

 

Mmm. Interesting.

 

Yes, it appears to be a small date. I found a large date 2 days ago and compared. The large date has fatter, blockier numbers. Soak it in distilled water for 6-12 hours, then pat it dry...do not rub! Check with a 10x loupe or better to see how much has been removed.

Remember that this date is very common and the collecting of it has low interest, plus the condition of the coin makes it a spender, so experiments won't hurt it...Spark

 

Will do, just need for comparison, I'll look for a better one. What is your opinion on the 1918 coin pictured? A lost cause.

 

I think perhaps you meant "they will hurt it, but it doesn't matter", right?

 

The '18 is rough...maybe vg8-f12, but with the condition being a mix of verdigris/corrosion and wear, you have a job on your hands. Follow our advice, go slow, think it out.

If you use any solutions make sure you use diluted ones, weak to start out with fastidious monitoring and short time periods. The put it to a loupe and reassess. You can then increase the strength of your solutions and time periods as you go and avoid ruining it. Know when to stop.

Never use any type of acid solution, although @V. Kurt Bellman's dip solution does work. You still have to monitor how long the coin is in his solution, because he uses a tiny amount of thiourea in the solution, which is an acid, and is the active ingredient in the Tarn-X product...Spark

 

Thanks Spark, I appreciate it. Well, it's a shame not to try something, because I can actually see the date and words pretty clearly.

 

yes, this '74 is a good coin to use...it's already beat up...Spark

 

Keep us in the loop on your efforts...Spark

 

Thiourea is NOT an acid, per se. Kodak S-10 uses BOTH thiourea AND citric acid, making it an acidic mixture. But guess what - take Kodak S-10 and raise its pH to alkalai levels, and it no longer removes toning, it deposits it. Thiourea liberates the sulfur compounds from the argento-sulfides and the free hydrogen or hydroxide ions determine which direction those sulfides MOVE, onto the silver, or off of it. Thiourea is direction-agnostic. Its role is almost as a catalyst.

 

Wow, there are some scary sounding precautions I will need to take. For now, I'm soaking the 1974 small date in distilled water. The 1918 is going to take some thought. That's the one Id love to "fix", if possible. It's just for me, don't think it will sell or anything.

 

I presumed it was acidic because urea is related to uric acid. Thanks for the additional info...Spark

 

Ok folks, you all warned me to go slowly, so I started with the 24 hour distilled water soaking. It's been 5 hours and the 1974 small dates are looking better by the minute (just found 2 more today). So, I have now put the 1918 in it's own bath. Let's see what happens.

 

Acetone does work on copper pennies when you have nail polish sandwiched between 2 coins (people are Strange ! )

 

Lol

 

Wonder what would happen if I warmed the distilled water before soaking.

 

It would work somewhat more quickly and effectively, but it would also accelerate anything else that's going on with the coin (like discoloration from anything reactive dissolving in the water). Patience is a virtue.

 

One of the things I pray for everyday of my life!

 

Have you tried a sonic cleaner for coins or others metales? Harbor Freight has them. For Silver coins I have tried distilled water heated, in a glass bowel, with a piece of aluminum foil that has been sanded lightly, and backing soda. The silver coin can then be placed in the warm water and mixture of soda and just place the coin/object just touching the aluminum foil. Watch and see results. Only after removing from water/solution pat dry only.