how would I clean this coin? (it's now clean)

jessecarlk

How would I go about cleaning this...I had to scrape it just to see the date and I don't want to ruin the coin any more than it already is but would like to see more of it. It was found at the beach and I'm sure that the salt water didn't do any good to it. This is the second silver coin that I've ever found, only three days after the first and 8 1/2 years after beginning to hunt for coins. Go figure.

JoePA

Hi Jesse,

Nice find - silver is always good. There's nothing to compare size-wise in the photo, but it looks like a '56 Washington quarter to me. Of course the initial reaction is "Cleaning Don't do it" , but this coin will be worth silver value only, so go ahead. You can go the oil method where you'd sit the coin in (I like to use olive) oil for up to months at a time to loosen crust, and then gingerly like with a toothpick or cactus needle loosen the grime, but your coating looks like corrosion from salt water. Electrolysis might work better here to clean it up a bit, but bear in mind that this will remove layers (and silver) of the coin as well.

-Good luck and happy hunting.

BBQnBLUES

Perhaps a Denture cleaning tablet soak would work faster ?

millennium

Really..if you want to try something do this..



Use a regular 9 V battery ,and I use alligator clips to hold an old spoon and the coin..Connect the NEG to the coin and the Pos to the metal strip or spoon....suspend both in the salt water and watch the coin bubble...just let it go until you are satisfied...but not too long...

jessecarlk

the green area is corrosion where the dark spots are sand that will not come off.

tesorocazador

I'd use a sand blaster or wire wheel! No I'm kidding. That's a neat find. I've never had much luck cleaning coins. I'm glad to see you are on a silver streak. Keep it swinging!
el Tesoro Casador

jessecarlk

check it out. You were right JoePA, it is a 1956 Washington Quarter. The 9V battery trick worked like a charm (thanks millennium)...I may have done it for about 3 second too long and it still suffered a few more scratches by my hand. Oh well, looks much better though.

JoePA

Jesse,

Nice going, it looks great. The 9 volt battery trick is actually electrolysis, and as you can see, it doesn't necessarily take too much to have a big effect. Did the battery heat up? Good to see that it worked out for you.

jessecarlk

the battery didn't heat up because I did it in intervals, checking the coin every few seconds.

millennium

The battery won't heat up...the electrical path is so weak, that it doesn't effect it..It's a lot easier on the battery than a regular battery operated device.

If you want to try something else....do the exact thing again, but place a copper, (before 1982) penny on the negative side and a 1943 steel penny on the positive side....when it's done, you'll have a copper plated steel cent..

ClosedLoop

you guys just blew my mind!!! (great trick).

if i would have only stayed awake in science class.

jessecarlk

I couldn't get it to turn copper (the 43 cent)...how long should I do it for?

millennium

Make sure you have water that is slightly salty to the taste, Make absolutely sure that the neg is connected to the copper coin, and the pos is on the 1943 penny. Make sure that the copper coin you have is BEFORE 1982......after 1982 they are plated....And lastly...the Battery needs to be fresh.....better yet, you can use a car battery or one of the larger 6v lantern batteries.

It usually takes less than 30 min...just keep checking the 1943, and make sure the copper penny is bubbling.

Let me know how it goes.

blueifalcon

Interesting