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Heres some `bad` advice on cleaning coins

But, if its a coin you don`t care about `killing` so to speak, try soaking it in plain ol ketchup.
Had some foreign pieces that were glued to a corkboard for God knows how long and no type
of cleaning method worked on them to get the stained stuff off, sans sandblasting them.
Let them soak in a slightly diluted solution for however long it takes, usually less than a day
for really stained ones, and wah lah, the stains are gone! Yes the copper ones will turn a bit pink
but may tone to brown after awhile. Also works well on your slightly worn modern pocket change.
Luster seems to be restored on those left in the solution for about 10-15 minutes.
There ya go. My bad coin cleaning advice of the day.

Comments

  • MrHalfDimeMrHalfDime Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
    When one considers that ketchup is made from tomatoes, and tomatoes contain several types of acid (e.g., ascorbic acid, citric acid, among others) it would not seem to be a good idea to 'clean' coins using ketchup. Of course, cleaning coins is never a good idea. They say the shortest book ever written is entitled "How to Clean Coins". It comprises just one page, stating "Don't".
    They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>When one considers that ketchup is made from tomatoes, and tomatoes contain several types of acid (e.g., ascorbic acid, citric acid, among others) it would not seem to be a good idea to 'clean' coins using ketchup. Of course, cleaning coins is never a good idea. They say the shortest book ever written is entitled "How to Clean Coins". It comprises just one page, stating "Don't". >>





    Cam40 stated that it's only for coins you don't car about. By the way, coke will do the same thing.
  • kazkaz Posts: 9,265 ✭✭✭✭✭
    don't forget the vinegar (acetic acid) in ketchup.
  • If you don't want to waste your cat soup you can just use white vinegar and some table salt to accomplish your coin cleaning needs. This will remove those black spots from new copper coins also if you want some very shinny pennies.
  • MrHalfDimeMrHalfDime Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
    "Cam40 stated that it's only for coins you don't car about."

    I recognize that, but as caretakers of the coins in our possession, we have a responsibility to care for them for the next generation of collectors. Just because we don't care about a particular coin does not mean that future collectors will not. I imagine that nineteenth century collectors didn't particularly care about the coins they found in circulation, but we certainly do. Except for extreme cases, it is never a good idea to clean coins.
    They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
  • coinnut86coinnut86 Posts: 1,592 ✭✭✭
    I disagree. I had black Morgan with 1/16-1/32 of gunk covering the whole thing. There is a half inch by quarter inch scratch in the left field. You can bet I soaked that puppy and then did the old baking soda and aluminum foil trick. No one, one hundred years from now is going to say, "Golly, I wish he wouldn't have done that!"
    image
  • jmcu12jmcu12 Posts: 2,452 ✭✭✭
    Personally, I like Potatoes.

    Of course it is not to be used for coins of great value - but if you are looking to gently clean an already problem coin, the potato is great! I have found that it is quite effective on corroded copper and silver.
    Awarded latest "YOU SUCK!": June 11, 2014
  • MrHalfDimeMrHalfDime Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
    "I disagree. I had black Morgan with 1/16-1/32 of gunk covering the whole thing. There is a half inch by quarter inch scratch in the left field. You can bet I soaked that puppy and then did the old baking soda and aluminum foil trick. No one, one hundred years from now is going to say, "Golly, I wish he wouldn't have done that!" "

    And just exactly which part of "Except in extreme cases ..." did you not understand?
    They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
  • coinnut86coinnut86 Posts: 1,592 ✭✭✭


    << <i>"I disagree. I had black Morgan with 1/16-1/32 of gunk covering the whole thing. There is a half inch by quarter inch scratch in the left field. You can bet I soaked that puppy and then did the old baking soda and aluminum foil trick. No one, one hundred years from now is going to say, "Golly, I wish he wouldn't have done that!" "

    And just exactly which part of "Except in extreme cases ..." did you not understand? >>



    Regardless. In lostincoins example, soaking spots off a 2014 Zincoln won't mean a lick to anyone one hundred years from now. I understand your point about nineteenth century folks not caring about coins at that time and affecting the hobby today. Mintage figures for coins at that time weren't near the amount they are now.
    image

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