Pencil eraser as a dirt remover on silver

BLUEJAYWAY · August 18, 2015 10:07AM

Anyone here ever used one to clean a silver coin? I have a 1942 2 shilling piece that was dirty and tried it. Worked pretty good and even gave it a mild sheen. Of course would not recommend it for high end material. Devalues a piece? Opinions?

lasvegasteddy · August 18, 2015 10:09AM

NO
DO NOT DO THIS

morgandollar1878 · August 18, 2015 10:11AM

An eraser is an abrasive, and is one of the worst things that you can do to any coin, valuable or not.

LanceNewmanOCC · August 18, 2015 10:23AM

.
i concur, it may remove some grime or whatever but at a cost that is too high to pay for many reasons.
.

keyman64 · August 18, 2015 10:24AM

It is not something I would recommend either. More because I deal with grades above 60.
In theory though, it might rub out a bad spot on a circulated coin and then if you let it tone back over
it might look okay...but it won't change the fact that it is still a circulated coin and likely not worth the effort
or risk if it is a more valuable coin. If you don't like the coin it would be better to sell it as is and to buy a coin
that you are happier with.

CaptHenway · August 18, 2015 10:32AM

Might as well use sandpaper. Totally destructive of the surface.

Kudbegud · August 18, 2015 10:32AM

I think you made most on this forum shriek at their computers "NOOOOOO !!!!!!!" Like yelling at the TV while watching a horror movie and a character is about to go some where you, as the audience, knows will not end well.

Broadstruck · August 18, 2015 10:55AM

winky · August 18, 2015 11:36AM

only if you want to ruin the coin.

don129 · August 18, 2015 11:42AM

Back in 1977 or so my Dad started collecting/investing in coins and brought home some BU Walking Liberty halves. They were "dirty" so this 12 year old asked him if I could clean them with my eraser. He said sure.

Days later he came home and told me the coin dealer he had been working with said I had cost him over $200.

Those were the last collectible coins I "cleaned" that way....

amwldcoin · August 18, 2015 12:06PM

Here is a textbook example of what an eraser can do to a coin! Eraser to the cheek

themaster · August 18, 2015 12:11PM

PM sent. I have found that an eraser can be used to clean crud from a silver coin. But the process does not involve erasing.

Have a Great Day!
Louis

BLUEJAYWAY · August 18, 2015 1:42PM

Sorry to alarm all here. I have never cleaned a coin before, dipping etc. other than as a youngin cleaning Lincolns with that copper cleaner, but did'nt many of us? The only knowledge of cleaning a coin is what I have read/learned here since joining this forum. Just had this piece laying around from a group given to me. I knew enough never to try this process on an expensive piece. In the future I will refrain from any more "acts of vandalism" on coinage. It was nice of all of you to respond with your input. I realize this is the forum for answers and appreciate your sharing of your knowledge, which is why I posted my example.

Cougar1978 · August 18, 2015 2:04PM

no way leaves scratches

topstuf · August 18, 2015 2:14PM

Do I have a story!!!

Swampboy · August 18, 2015 2:20PM

I read this and immediately started having flashbacks to the 7th grade.
Of course the alternative then would have been listening to the teacher so who could blame me?

GrumpyEd · August 18, 2015 4:47PM

Some coin supply places still sell "coin erasers".

I remember as a kid I'd erase every wheat cent that I found.
I had a few of them 40+ years later, they retoned but still looked polished and ruined. LOL

koynekwest · August 18, 2015 5:08PM

Wasn't that a recommended way to clean coins that was actually printed on some of the old coin boards from the 1930's? I wonder how many coins were ruined by those who followed that advice.

291fifth · August 18, 2015 5:30PM

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DuPapa · August 18, 2015 9:41PM

In the early 50's my young eyes would help my Mother go through bags of coins. Buffalos were my favorite and the only coins we "erasered" ... only across the date.

ColonelJessup · August 19, 2015 1:23AM

So Lady MacBeth says "Out. Out, damned spot." and this is how it plays out . . . .

Tragedy or comedy? Surely both. ' ' '

The next step involves immersion in mercury . . . . . .

What's melt today? . . .

edited to add: cut-out jewelry?

LanceNewmanOCC · August 19, 2015 4:13AM

<< <i>So Lady MacBeth says "Out. Out, #(#&^%! spot." and this is how it plays out . . . .

Tragedy or comedy? Surely both. ' ' '

>>

surely and hilarious at that. well done.
.

LindeDad · August 19, 2015 4:28AM

Oh the days of shiny penneis in a blue album.

Called improper cleaning by all today.

Get some dip it works wonders easier.

johnny9434 · August 19, 2015 5:10AM

i guess cleaning copper coins with gun solvent is out of the question.

Stuart · August 19, 2015 5:28AM

Harshly abrasive eraser cleaning is frowned upon by third party grading services, and those who wish to preserve coins for posterity.

WoodenJefferson · August 19, 2015 9:06AM

Milk money was 2 cents, so we kept lots of pennies in our desk. Those that weren't shiny...the 1920's 30's 40's were shined up with a number 2 pencil. Ah...that's better.

Pencil eraser as a dirt remover on silver

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