Need help cleaning copper

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marmac
marmac Posts: 1,534 ✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I need help here. I have a 1832 half cent vf-ish. I talked to a well respected copper specialist recently and he advised me to soak in olive oil. I did and the coin is a 100% better looking, it removed much of the gunk and grime that was on the surfaces. Where I stand now is that the feilds are free of the gunk but there is still a lot of it tucked in the date,stars, and all the nooks and crannys of the devices. This coin's sentimental value far outweighs its monetary value to me.

How can I go about removing this grime without damaging the coin? I have thought about it for a few days now and silly as it may sound I thought if I could put a little bit of "pressure" behind the olive oil I could get it off. A water pistol filled with oilive oil came to mind since it is inexpensive. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Again, the sentamental value of this coin is very high to me.
Thanks
Scott

Comments

  • Placid
    Placid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭
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    How long did you soak it? Some people soak coins for months to get all the gunk off.

    Goo-gone is supposed to work ok.
  • marmac
    marmac Posts: 1,534 ✭✭✭✭
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    I soaked for 24 hours or so.Should I go longer?
    Goo be gone is safe ?
  • melikecoins
    melikecoins Posts: 1,154 ✭✭
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    You need to soak them longer in olive oil

    It dosen't work over night

    Glen
    I don't buy slabs I make them
  • Placid
    Placid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭
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    Here is a old thread on goo-gone.

    I would give the olive oil more time first though. Maybe swish the coin around once a day to get whatever loosens up off.
  • marmac
    marmac Posts: 1,534 ✭✭✭✭
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    melikecoins and placid- thanks that was an excellent thread!! I will be patient with the olive oil and than consider goo be gone if necessary!
    Thanks
  • JRocco
    JRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have left some coins in the oil for over a month. I also have no problem touching the coins surface while still in the oil if it is a circulated piece.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • LanLord
    LanLord Posts: 11,756 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Make sure to change out your olive oil every couple weeks. I left some coins in some for too long once and it really got ugly looking.

    The stuff does go bad after a while.

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