cleaning coins (yes, again)

mdless

I know this has been asked many times. I've tried the tater trick on my pennies and they don't get any better. Last night I tried boiling my coins in hot water as I read somewhere that will help loosen the crud on the coins. Didn't work at all. The coins I am finding are in tot lot sand. Something happens to the clad when it's been down there for a while. Nickels, dimes and quarters all turn this nasty shade of black. Sioap and water don't work. The pennies get covered with Sand that seems to be permanently stuck to it. Taters and boiling water don't work. Not that I care about claen clad, but sometimes I can't get a date off of the coin because of all the junk.
anybody try CLR? I've heard about it, but before I try it I would your opinions/experience. I haven't tried olive oil socaking yet, cuz it takes too long. I just want to determine if the coin is anything other than clad. If it's clad I just spend it, so I really don't care if it's clean or not. It's trying to determine the date is driving me nuts.
I don't know if it has to do with the Arizona soil or not (although these have been in the sandy tot lots). Anyway any practical things you guys do that works is greatly appreciated.

speer34

I have tried the tater trick, soap and water, etc. The one thing that I haven't tried that others have had good results with is a rock tumbler. I don't know that the rock tumbler works all the time, but I believe I remember reading that they liked using it.

One other thing that I tried was putting the coins in a metal collander and stick them in the dishwasher. I didn't see dramatic improvements, but it did help a little bit.

Do you by chance use a magnifying glass to attempt to find the date? This may help if you don't do it already. I know after I get most of the dirt knocked off, I can usually make out a date with my 10X loupe.

Hope this helps.

mdless

I did use the mag. glass, but sometimes the stuff is so bad I can't easily make it out so that's when I resort to trying to clean them up. Besides the mag glass I have is pretty weak. I need to get a nicer one. Wife says they sell them at verying degrees of magnification at Michael's craft store. I need to check them out. I've seen coin tumblers advertised and was wondering if they were effective or not.

Thanks for the reply!

Dockwalliper

I use a tumbler on all my detecting clad. It works wonders. Tumble a few hours with water,a bit of sand and a drop of dish detergent. Lightens the dark clad and removes the crud. then I roll them up and take them to the bank. I've done thousands of coins.

wjd283

I have some CLR,but have'nt used it on coins.

If you do try it out,post a before and after pic.

DUBBA

coin tumblers work great for clad coins....have you tried looking at the coins edge to determine if it's silver or clad?....if i can't see a date thats what i do...good luck!

Digger1616

What size grit would you use for coins?

Dockwalliper

<< <i>What size grit would you use for coins? >>



I use Parakeet gravel but most people I know use Aquarium gravel.

DUBBA

i just use beach sand