How often should you brush your coppers?

Longacre · April 16, 2007 11:04PM

I was curious about this. How often should you brush your coppers? Is there a sign to look for to indicate that they need a brushing? I showed one of my early coppers to a half cent expert at Baltimore, and his first comment was, "this coin could use a brushing." Any comments?

RYK · April 16, 2007 11:10PM

I brush my choppers twice/day. (Sorry, I couldn't resist

). The truth is, I do not know what the heck you are talking about. Should I bring my toothbrush to the EAC convention?

Longacre · April 16, 2007 11:14PM

<< The truth is, I do not know what the heck you are talking about. Should I bring my toothbrush to the EAC convention? >>

And you're a member of the EAC and a convention attendee. For shame.

1798CentCollector · April 17, 2007 12:59AM

Depends on the environment your coppers are kept in and if they have been brushed before - including how you handle your coins. I store mine in jewelers paper, in cotton inserts, and archival quality paper flips. I'll brush maybe one a year or less often. I don't brush coins with mint luster. You should also use a camel hair brush thats been "broken-in" and "green", as evidenced by many brushings. You can break you brushes in by brushing as many coppers as you can find 0 it' takes some time to get a nice green brush. Some will apply a very light oil to a brush, to get it "wet" and prevent any chance of hairlining. A copper that hasn't been briushed, has been handled extensively, or not adequately srtored, and needs brushing is pretty evident and will display some dullness and appear to have "debris" or contaminents on it.

Edit to sum it up by KS:

<< brush your copper coins only as often as they need it. >>

dorkkarl · April 17, 2007 12:59AM

this is gonna sound sarcastic, but is not meant to be:

brush your copper coins only as often as they need it.

K S

RYK · April 17, 2007 1:04AM

I did not realize copper coins need to be groomed regularly. Can I hire someone to do the work for me? As someone who is looking for a new area to collect, I think that I would prefer coins that do not need a maintenance plan.

Longacre · April 17, 2007 1:09AM

<< I did not realize copper coins need to be groomed regularly. Can I hire someone to do the work for me? As someone who is looking for a new area to collect, I think that I would prefer coins that do not need a maintenance plan.

>>

I know this response was a little tongue-in-cheek, but I have a related question-- where can I buy a brush that is already broken in? I don't want to come off as lazy, but rather than taking the time to brush hundreds of coppers to get a new brush nice and green, I think it would be easier to buy one that is already broken in. Does anyone have any comments? What is the risk that someone might sell an AG* brush?

*Artificially Green

Barry · April 17, 2007 1:13AM

Start with a new brush. You never know where a used one has been, or what else it's been used for

1798CentCollector · April 17, 2007 1:26AM

Buy an expensive copper from a dealer and ask him to throw in his old green brush or get yourself 5000 old wheaties and a gallon of martinis.

RYK may be able to ferret one out for you at EAC. You may just want to apply a little blue ribbon to a newer brush to start with. I also used new brushes with no adverse effect on a nicely circulated copper - my preference is to use a broken-in brush, though. As noted by DK - this is not a regular maintenance activity as opposed to somthing that's done as needed. Mine are done as infrequently as possible. Every copper specialist has probably developed a routine and perspective on this that suits his/her wn individual needs and ideas. The point is to keep the coins surface as free and clear of harmful contaminents as possible.

RYK · April 17, 2007 1:28AM

Can you send a slabbed coin to PCGS, have them crack it, brush it, and reslab it when they are finished?

tahoe98 · April 17, 2007 1:46AM

<< Can you send a slabbed coin to PCGS, have them crack it, brush it, and reslab it when they are finished?

>>

good question

Shamika · April 17, 2007 1:49AM

So, there really is some truth to brushing Large Cents? I always thought this was curious and only invited the possibility of hairlines.

1798CentCollector · April 17, 2007 1:51AM

<< Can you send a slabbed coin to PCGS, have them crack it, brush it, and reslab it when they are finished? >>

sure, but add $5 additional for a good oiling to keep the coin looking mmm mmm good. They also put a sticker on the back of the slab to let you know when to send it in again for it's next brush and lube

Type2 · April 17, 2007 2:01AM

I brush my copper once a week mybe I need to do it two times a week.

IGWT · April 17, 2007 2:04AM

Here you go, Longacre. I just pilfered these from another forum member.

topstuf · April 17, 2007 2:05AM

If the coins are holed, don't forget to floss also.

ScarsdaleCoin · April 17, 2007 2:45AM

4 out of 5 dentist recommend brushing frequently

a good item to read follows link

PerryHall · April 17, 2007 3:08AM

After reading this, I'm glad that I collect gold.

joecopper · April 17, 2007 9:31AM

I will sell you mine for $7500 and that is a bargain as have well over 150 hours in it.

TheRegulator · April 17, 2007 11:58AM

I never brush my early coppers because they do not need to be brushed.

Ask yourself what "brushing" is, what it is supposed to do, and what it actually does. Think about it and then think about it some more. Seriously.

TomB · April 17, 2007 12:01PM

Thank you for writing that, TheRegulator, since it is also the position that I hold regarding brushing of copper.

dorkkarl · April 17, 2007 10:42PM

<< I never brush my early coppers because they do not need to be brushed.

Ask yourself what "brushing" is, what it is supposed to do, and what it actually does. Think about it and then think about it some more. Seriously. >>

if you DO ask yourself "seriously", you'll realize that "brushing" is the removal of CONTAMINANTS from the coin's surface, & what it actually does is remove them w/out harming the coin.

you never brush your early coppers because you are clueless about what it means

K S

ColonialCoinUnion · April 17, 2007 10:47PM

<< you never brush your early coppers because you are clueless about what it means

K S >>

Have a nice day!

crito · April 17, 2007 10:51PM

<< If the coins are holed, don't forget to floss also. >>

ROFL

LeeG · April 17, 2007 11:04PM

Rod Burress is a noted copper expert. I have some early copper that I wanted to maintain in a correct manner. I wrote Rod and ordered some supplies. Rod sent me this information that I will share with you here:

Longacre · April 17, 2007 11:19PM

Now I need to find a locust tree?

RYK was right-- I should see if a dealer offers a maintenance plan with the coins.

RYK · April 17, 2007 11:20PM

<< Now I need to find a locust tree?

RYK was right-- I should see if a dealer offers a maintenance plan with the coins. >>

Too much hands-on work for us. Maybe you can train the pool boy to do it.

Wisconsin · April 17, 2007 11:45PM

Wow,

I really must have been screwed as I recently paid a premium for a cent that has never been brushed or messed with.

I guess this would be like buying a car that the oil has never been changed. I will be sure to ask for maintainence records next time I am copper shopping.

1798CentCollector · April 18, 2007 12:15AM

Longacre, you probably spent more time on that essay justifying admittance to the early copper group on yahoo than you ever will in brushing coppers.

. This is not a regular maintenance activity ( assuming your coppers are properly stored and and cared for) - it's a preventative one - ONLY WHEN/IF NEEDED - and you'lll know when it's needed. Maybe, a newly acquired coin or one that's that's been handled extensively, passed around, or not properly cared for. Ever look at a raw copper that's been through an EAC auction lot viewing of a few days ??

Obviously, there are different viewpoints on the subject expressed in the post ,so learn about the subject, talk to the experts, and decide for yourself what makes sense.

Type2 · April 18, 2007 1:53AM

what happens when you brush junk off one coin and then brush a nice coin will it transfer to that coin.

BigMoose · April 18, 2007 2:18AM

I brush my Early Copper Large Cents, but only when they are WET first after an application of either CARE or Blue Ribbon. After brushing them wet, you take a Q tip and roll it over the coin, taking up all the excess oil and contaminants off the coin. About once every 6 months to a year is all that the coins need. I cringe when I see fellow EAC members brushing their coins when they are dry. I don't care how "wet" the brush seems to be, I think you will impart hairlines to the coins if you brush them when dry.

How often should you brush your coppers?

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