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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,491 |
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Valued Member
United States
78 Posts |
I know that cleaning a coin can destroy its value. However I am not looking to hide scratches or any real damage I just want to get the grime off of some of the circulated coins I have accumulated. Is there any safe way to do this?
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
If there is just grime on them, and provided they are less then MS60 condition, good 'ole soap and water is just fine. Works wonders on gold coins, but great on anything else as well. Clean hands essential. Then it is off to a soak in good 'ole acetone if required. Rinse, distilled water in preference, pat dry.
What's left on the coin stays on the coin. Probably bad toning or light corrosion. Much more difficult and risky to treat. Best left to experts, who, quite often, won't go any further.
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Valued Member
United States
438 Posts |
How does on clean with soap and water? just fill a bucket and set it in? how do I dry it? where do I get acetone from? How much do I need? thanks
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Pillar of the Community
United States
731 Posts |
I don't agree with the advice of cleaning a coin just because it's less than MS-60 in grade.
Firstly, if the OP is asking if he/she can clean a coin -- he/she probably wouldn't know how to grade a coin in the first place.
Secondly, depending on the specimen, whether found in circulation or not, it could be worth quite a bit. (Chances are it wouldn't be, but without photos or more detail, who is to know?)
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
NO, do not use soap and water. This has been mentioned many times before. There are as many types of soaps on the market as possible and some are really abrasive. Some are made to get grease off hands of mechanics. Some are made gentle for womens sensitive hands. Many dish soaps will discolor a coin. Regardless, do not use SOAP on coins.
Water too could be a problem. Again, there are extensive differences in water. Well water could contain almost anything on Earth. In some areas tap water contains Chlorine or even Flourine. Water in some homes go through a water softener and now contain Salts.
DO NOT USE SOAP AND WATER ON COINS>
If Acetone doesn't get the stuff off, it may be best to not try to many other items.
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Valued Member
 United States
78 Posts |
Thanks I will take more time to consider cleaning the coins. The coins I am trying to get clean aren't of any significant value, I got them out of a grab bag lot and someone had the bright idea of letting pieces of tape get into the bag and stick to some of the coins and a couple look like they were dragged out of a cheap set with drops of glue on the back.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If it's tape or glue, your best solution is Acetone. For the many ways and cautions about Acetone, use the Search tab at the top for Acetone, coin cleaning, cleaning coins, etc. Acetone has been discussed as many times here as coins themselves.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Acetone has been discussed as many times here as coins themselves. Yeah, we're considering changing the name of this subforum to the Acetone Forum. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Yeah, we're considering changing the name of this subforum to the Acetone Forum.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
Quote:
Yeah, we're considering changing the name of this subforum to the Acetone Forum. CC might as well give in and create a "Cleaning Coins" subform. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,491 |
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Posted 09/04/2011 12:34 am
