Need tips for cleaning ("curating") large cents

SanctionII

Have an 1840's large cent with a pleasing chocolate brown appearance. The only detriment is a build up of dirt/verdigis adjacent to the lettering and date. Under a loupe it appears to be simply sitting on the surface of the coin and has not discolored it. The coin would look much better without the crud. Any suggestions as to how to go about removing same without damaging the coin? Your suggestions would be appreciated.

earlwbollinger

The modern day rule is to never ever clean them under any circumstances ever.
I would think the darker areas would help to highlight the lettering myself.
Unfortunately for the large cents it's getting almost impossible to find some that can
be slabbed anymore as everyone has been cleaning them. Cleaning one gets a bodybag if you ever
want to slab it later.

If you really really want to and want to take the chance.
You could soak it in olive oil for a while, maybe up to a year or longer. Works good, safe on coins but real slow.
Acetone is the next choice for cleaning usually doesn't affect toning, but sometimes it does.
Anything else will likely change the color and or remove the toning.

Rob790

See this Goo-gone thread.

wam98

If you do try to remove the crud, more than likely there will be evidence that it was there, unless you clean the entire coin. If it were mine, I would leave it alone. From what you say, it is a nice brown color, the crud will not effect the value of the coin IMHO. Cleaning of early copper will. Copper has a lot of problems at the grading services anyway.