Howwould you clean this?

penny2many

We have as I said before many coins from all over the world. Most are dirty and need some cleaning but I am unsure about cleaning them to display. If anyone can help I would appreciate it!

theboz11

I would advise against cleaning with anything other than acetone, and you risk value drop if you make a mark or scratch them.

Preussen

<< <i>Howwould you clean this? >>



I wouldn't. - Preussen

Cladiator

That coin looks perfect just the way it is. Nice and original. Cleaning it would decrease it's value and eye appeal in my opinion.

Bailathacl

The natural toning or tarnishing process makes aging coins look less and less "freshly made". To collectors this is not a bad thing, it just makes toned coins different from copper that is still "red" in appearance. But cleaning that causes scratching -- and most mild chemicals and gentle scrubbing will cause scratching -- pretty much ruins a coin for collectors and destroys most of its value. Acetone can safely clean coins, but (fortunately) will not affect the toning and tarnishing. There are threads you can search here about the proper and SAFE use of acetone as a coin cleaner. Good luck collecting!!

satootoko

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<< <i>Howwould you clean this? >>



I wouldn't. - Preussen >>

Me neither.

penny2many

Thanks for your replies. I guess I will just keep it like it is and maybe someday we will get the worse out and see what happens with the acetone. I told my husband about that and he is interested in trying it on some old pennies we have. Some I would not touch with anything but just to see how they look. With World coins I am not sure what they are made of and so that worries me about putting some of them in acetone. We are not experts and so we have to tread lightly with these things for fear of messing them up. Maybe someday my husband will have a chance to do some research on them.

lordmarcovan

A light rub (not scrub!) with Vaseline or mineral oil will remove surface grime from copper and nickel coins without affecting their color.

Here are some of the tips I posted in an eBay guide on the subject.

That coin, however, doesn't need cleaning, as the others mentioned. It is not dirty; merely toned. Natural toning is good. Aside from that verdigris spot on the reverse, your coin doesn't need cleaning, and if you messed with that spot, you'd likely not have much luck in removing it without messing up the rest of the coin, so leave it as is. It looks fine.