Safe way to clean coins?

Question

Years ago, nobody cared if you clean coins or not. It just didnt matter. Then the fad came along where you just *had* to clean coins as a coin shop or collector. Then due to some idiots using wire brushes, and acids to deface/clean the coins. Now its become taboo to clean coins. Ive heard some cases where a coin shop almost gets boycotted just for mentioning those two words in the same sentance.

So far I have stuck to using a cotton cloth and distilled water to remove loose debris such as basic mud and in some stupid cases, bubble gum. But I am wanting to know if there is a safe way to get slightly more aggressive. A couple of the local coin shops suggested jewerly cleaning kits such as the "sonic bath" used to clean gold jewlery. Some others suggested something like glass cleaner such as windex.

I would like to know if there are any educated suggestions out there aside from these guesses I get from local people.

Answer 1

Lets get the facts straight, back in the real old days a lot of coins were shellacked to protect them. That became a nightmare for large and 1/2 cent collects in the 1940's trying to get it off. Harsh cleaning has never been really okay and the idea of dipping coins to make coins look a grade better started in the 1950's and went nuts in the 1960's. From the 1970's on dealers and collectors found that nice original coins are very rare. Even original tone coins are rare. A nice original white or original toned coin sells for more than the price guides quote. I would rather have a nice original coin with a little grease or mud on it then one cleaned. One can tell a coin has been cleaned if they have collected long enough. Now for grease type substances as well as glues, you can use 100% acetone form a hardware store. It will dissolve those items without your help. Then rinse in distilled water and pat dry with soft cloth or air dry. If a coin has that green crusty stuff on it leave it alone, for when removed it leaves a hole for it will eat into a coin. As for coin shops suggesting sonic cleaners or windex, let me know where they are so I will not buy coins there. Removeing dirt is not really that easy, for if it does not lift off with the mild soap bath then using anything like a cloth will make the dirt scratch the coin. A lot of cleaning methods leave small scratches and using a lupe, show up real well, that is a cleaned coin sign. I collect ancient coins and clean them but almost all ancients are cleaned but again I have to be careful, however there is a big difference between the surface of a hammered coin and a modern machine made one.

Answer 2

Clean Coins Safely

Answer 3

You should not clean your coins. Most coin collectors see cleaning a coin as the equivalent of stripping down antique furniture and refinishing it.

When cleaning, the surface metal of the coin is often stripped. Anything used to scrub the coin will leave scratches (even 100% pure silk will leave hairline scratches). Most cleaning products will have some type of reaction with the coin's metal and the surface metal can also be removed in this manner.

Your best bet is to leave the coins alone. Cleaning the coin will leave traces - which can be found by the knowledgeable collector - who in turn will not buy the cleaned coin. Also if you ever wanted to send your coin into a grading company, they can recognize signs of cleaning and will send your coin back in a "cleaned" slab (also called a "body bag" in the coin world) - which is usually a greatly decreased value.

If you absolutely must must must clean your coins do not use the method described above as it will react with the metal in your coin. Use 100% acetone (do not use fingernail polish remover!). It must be 100% pure because other additives will react with the coin metal. Place your coin(s) in the solution for several minutes (do not leave in for long periods of time). Rinse your coin(s) in distilled water. Next remove your coins and either pat dry with a soft cloth or allow the coin to air dry (air drying is better as you don't risk scratching the coin with the cloth). NEVER scrub your coins!

I would still advise you to leave your coins as they are. They may not be bright and shiny but that is what most collectors prefer.

Answer 4

I am no expert on this, but from any general knowledge i have gathered along the way is. Most collectors or auctioneers want coins in mint condition or as they are.meaning no cleaning. But i could be wrong. You could check with collectors or auctioneer. It is the same for stamps, they are wanted in mint condition or used stamps in good condition.

Answer 5

Well I clean my silver this way and maybe it would work with coins. Line a glass dish with aluminum foil shiny side up. Then put your coins in the dish, and boil water and pour it over the coins and then put some baking soda. I use a baking dish for my silver, so it takes 3 tablespoons of baking soda. it is a miracle cleaner!

Answer 6

How about vinegar and baking soda in a pan of boiling water. It is what they suggest for cleaning silver jewelry. I think you already know the secret is to not put any more scratches on them.

Answer 7

Vinegar
Always works

:)
Good luck with those coins