My daughter has been asking for uncleaned coins to clean for at least the last year. I have been reluctant since the last time I got uncleaned coins they were basically slugs. Well I finally relented and ordered 10 "true premium" uncleaned coins to give her and I something to do together this summer. The coins arrived today and I am cautiously optimistic about that we will have some decent luck cleaning them. Obviously they are nothing but common LRBs, but I think the discovery of what is underneath will be fun for her. Obviously, sharing your hobby with your kids is even better I plan to post updates as we clean and identify them. Here they are now in all their cruddy glory. 10 were ordered but we actually received 12 which was a nice surprise.
It looks like you will have some fun and some nice coins if you don't get in too big of a hurry. One suggestion I have - as soon as you determine what configuration you have look for some examples. Print them and use them as a guide to prevent removing detail. Look at the most complicated and simplest. A coin could have a dot, symbol or letter in a field or on a banner that makes it a different coin. Have fun and keep us posted.
We are soaking them in some distilled water first. Get the loosest stuff off, maybe give them a quick scrub with the nylon brush, then soak again. I also got a little fiber brush pen thing that it is supposed to do a good job with the dry dirt and tiny details.
I'm glad to hear that. I have a few of my older uncleaned coins that could use some help in that area.
I should also add to perhaps wear a dust mask when using the fiber brush pen. The fibers are very light and get everywhere and are irritating to the nose and mouth
Hi @furryfrog02, I second that warning! Those fiber pens are actually made using fiberglass strands. As the strands break off you have tiny glass shards that should not get to your lungs or mouth. I have used them and they can help in cleaning coins like yours, but it pays to be careful. I would wear a mask - everyone’s doing it these days. - Broucheion
Update 1: The water was nasty so we decided that today would be our first scrub. There are a few promising coins out of the bunch. Dirty water. Dirty coins! Hard at work First scrub results