Is there a way to clean a coin W/O ruing it ?
mach19
Posts: 4,123 ✭✭✭
I think I know the answer , but just checking
TIN SOLDIERS & NIXON COMING 
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mach19
Posts: 4,123 ✭✭✭
Comments
No, you cannot clean a coin without damaging it, however you can remove adhesives with acetone and other such minor things without damaging the coin as a general matter, but you must make the decision on a specific case by case basis depending on the coin. Some also use things like Ezest to remove minor things, but I do not do so as I prefer coins as they are. You lose so much when you remove anything other than adhesives that acetone can do as a minor solvent.
This will really make your babies shine!
Yep. This is what I use. Gets everything off.
HMMMMMM ......... !0,000 comedians out of work . And they are all here. Merry Christmas all !
Old_Collector gave some good pointers. Did you not want an answer to this post?
depends what you want to clean
I have the upmost respect for the answer from Old_Collector......
If you know what you’re doing, then depending on the exact situation, maybe. If you don’t know what you’re doing, then almost guaranteed you’ll make the coin worse. This is how specific problems can sometimes be addressed without negatively impacting the coin (which means the impact is positive), but when someone cleans the dirty coins they inherited, the result is always bad.
so true
what are you considering cleaning? (i suggest to make a new thread for the question)
A 1926-S Buffalo nickel..... I thank you for your comments !
there's a number of buff collectors on here that are still active. try making a new thread for the question
An image and exactly what you are trying to clean will more than likely get you specific answers.
It's Called Conservation
if done correctly.
Before trying to conserve a better date experiment on common date Buffalo’s that look like yours. They should be readily available on eBay for a few dollars if you don’t have any.
Many rue having cleaned a coin. It may ruin it.
Stay away from the gun solvent 👎
The best way to clean a coin is not to do it.
What is the condition and what do you want to remove or do not like?
Thank you my friends ...... I found a solution !
I sometimes use this stuff: https://www.conservcoins.com/ Some coins should not be dipped even in a non-acidic product, as the originality and dirt are integral to the quality of the coin.
Throw a coin enough times, and suppose one day it lands on its edge.
Rudolph and Santa gave me a better Idea !!! Thanks for your insight . LMAO
Hm, can't say I've heard good things about raindeer poop as a cleaner...
reindeer eat roughage, tho
Just curious, what is your solution? And what material is the coin and what is the condition?
I've done some very brief dips of hazy silver proofs for a few seconds with good results. I would only use something like eZest briefly on very specific silver coins, and then rinse well with distilled water. But I do not have expertise in that area.
I am primarily an uncirculated Lincoln cent collector and there is nothing I use other than a dip in acetone to remove any oils from handling prior to getting it if not in a slab (something that the mint should have considered on the omega cents before slabbing them perhaps).
For dirt or crud stuck in the folds of a coin I use Rose Prickles. In most cases, if done with care you should be ok with this method.
Some good advice here sprinkled in with some downright funny suggestions... lol... Chipoltaway...
Seriously though, the only thing I might try if I were you... and not knowing anything about the coins you're attempting to "clean" or what you're perceiving as needing cleaning... I'd limit my experiments to acetone. This is an organic solvent and can be had at any hardware store. It won't react with the metals in coins (Au, Ag, and Cu) and works pretty well by itself to remove green PVC damage to 90% silver coins... although any damage under the "green" will remain. It's a pretty volatile liquid so you should be working in a well ventilated area and I typically wear nitrile gloves when I work with it. This prevents your skin from drying out and, importantly, prevents oils and contaminants from your skin from getting on your coins. Also, if I was just starting out experimenting, I'd limit the use of acetone to just a soak and an air dry... even using q-tips or toothpicks to remove perceived verdigris can render a straight graded circulated piece into a "cleaned" holder. For many of us... I'll keep looking if I'm looking to buy. Be well and happy collecting...
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
When I was a child I shined up my penny Collection with a pencil eraser. Made those brown pennys red again.
Bonus points for remembering the reference
Throw a coin enough times, and suppose one day it lands on its edge.
A few people here have a problem with any cleaning. Almost everyone here has a problem with improper cleaning.
The best way to learn is to read, talk to those with experience, and then practice on coins worth only face value or where there is no remaining numismatic value.
Thank you for your insight my friend !
Sure - send to NCS - they won't ruin it, hopefully .......
When I was a kid I’d do the baking soda rub thing… ugh… in retrospect it was all just junk silver though
Unless it’s a quick in and out dip damage is possible. Rinse well after dip. Pat dry with soft cloth.
Dont forget the brillo pad, I like Ajax with the blue 💙 specs 👎
Acetone and rubbing alcohol can get off tape residue/glue, very careful use of a toothpick can remove black gunk.
Anything else I would be very cautious about.
Type collector, mainly into Seated. -formerly Ownerofawheatiehorde. Good BST transactions with: mirabela, OKCC, MICHAELDIXON, Gerard
@GuzziSport . I have those memories too. I was gifted a few worn Indian cents when I was 7 or 8. Stupidly i decided to "shine" them up with baking soda and water. All 3 turned the most spectacular pumpkin color you have ever seen. james
...lol... guilty of this too! My grandfather gave me a few Morgan Dollars when I was about 12 years old. Two of them were in hard plastic flips that I couldn't figure out how to open... those were the only ones that escaped the baking soda treatment...
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
I have seen things. Beautiful… terrifying things, and they holder up just fine. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Empty Nest Collection
My opinion: cleaning a coin ALWAYS results in some amount of "damage". However, some sort of benefit might outweigh the damage and result in a net positive outcome.
Official PCGS account of:
www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com