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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;houston_ray, post: 33448, member: 1943&quot;]This is an interesting subject and one that I have seen all sorts of advice; and its not all the same.&nbsp; Here&#039;s what I have done:</p><p><br /></p><p>While coins should never be cleaned, I believe that copper coins in particular can be soaked in olive oil for a little while, then very gently brushed with a soft toothbrush to work the oil into the crevases.&nbsp; I&#039;m only talking circulated grades (XF or less).&nbsp; I&#039;ve even used a green holly thorn to gently remove some dirt on the surface of the coin that&#039;s stuck in between a letter or numeral or around the rim.&nbsp; A brown rose or holly thorn could scratch the surface: it must be a green one.&nbsp; Then wash the coin off under warm water and pat it dry.&nbsp; Let it air out overnight or so.&nbsp; Old time coin collectors have done this for years.&nbsp; I&#039;ve done it with some old Lincoln cents of mine with very nice results.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>I can say that even under a 10X loop, there&#039;s no scratches or evidence of cleaning or abrasions (remember, in circulated grades) if this is done carefully.</p><p><br /></p><p>While some have told me that using acetone, ammonia, or other chemicals on a coin will not &quot;affect&quot; it, I don&#039;t agree.&nbsp; Olive oil (and perhaps a green thorn) is pretty natural stuff.&nbsp; Using chemicals is just asking for trouble, in my estimation.</p><p><br /></p><p>Indeed, I would not touch an AU or better coin with anything.&nbsp; I confess that I have never submitted a coin to be slabbed that got the olive oil treatment.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Anyone else have any opinions on this?</p><p><br /></p><p>Houston_ray[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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