Some of my gold George Washington dollar coins are getting tarnished and I am wondering what would be the best way to get them to a spiffy shine yet again. Don't bother suggesting coca-cola or lemon juice - I tried those already and they just ended up with this corrosive finish instead of golden. =/
Any advice would be helpful.
2007-12-01 20:31:33 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
I do understand that cleaning coins reduces their value to collectors. However, I am using them as props and am not retaining them for their collectors' value.
2007-12-02 07:40:33 · update #1
It is not like they are rare go to the bank and get some new ones and try not to touch them very much. They are made of copper, zinc, manganese and nickel which is a terrible combination of metals. They are made of the same materials as the Sacagawea dollars and within 4 months in my pockets turned black. Any cleaner will remove detail from the coin as well as buffing it up. Get new ones and do the project fast and use cotton gloves when you pick up the coins. It is not the mints fault, but the vending machine lobby.
2007-12-02 13:36:46 · answer #1 · answered by Taiping 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
New George Washington Dollar Coin
2016-12-29 19:06:26 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Presidentials are still new and readily available. If yours don't look they way you want them to go and get a better one.
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.
2007-12-02 03:22:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You buy a coin dip. This not only shuts up the people who sday cleaning coins are bad, but it will also make your coins shiny again. Go out to a coin shop and ask them about dip or get it on Ebay. As long as you dip it all the way and rinse properly, everything should go fine.
2007-12-02 14:29:59 · answer #4 · answered by bbooptoon1959 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How Do You Clean Gold
2016-11-14 03:07:32 · answer #5 · answered by gilcoine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T clean them. It will get worser than now (advice from coin collectors). It will reduce value and it will get rusty.
2007-12-02 00:18:34 · answer #6 · answered by Big Ben 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cash them in - Banks don t care how they look.
2015-10-17 11:43:44 · answer #7 · answered by Jiminy Cricket 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to an auto parts store and by some polish and some micro fiber clothes and polish them up.
2007-12-01 21:00:19 · answer #8 · answered by silly f 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
vinegar or lemon juice.
2007-12-02 03:07:44 · answer #9 · answered by kierbear 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋