Coin Cleaning Section/Threads?

No seperate section but we'd want to see it...when I was focusing on cleaning I posted seperate topics for updates. Not huge amounts of interest, but I want to see the progress.

I might post some cleaning stuff - I'm about to abandon the distilled water and put some into long term oil soaks. I've had 2 which I've given up on cleaning (started to get negative effects) so if you're good at cleaning you might want to have a whack.

I would be interested - maybe we could ask a mod to start a topic in the General Area ? there is one for Photography

I have sent a note to staff

Hello all. I will allow others more familiar with ancients to weigh in on this subject in general. However, I can almost promise you that CCF will not have a dedicated "cleaning" section. The reason for this is that with the exception of possibly the ancient area, and even then not very favorable, cleaning is pretty much a "no no" in numismatics. While there are some products that will remove dirt and grime from coins without damaging them too much, it is a risky business and as such, it's not something that we promote as a whole.

Also, take into consideration the folks that are not experienced with coins to begin with. They find an old coin that has some dirt on it and decide to do an internet search for cleaning coins. One of those results points to the ancient section here. Will they realize that the methods described are for ancient coins? Will they potentially use dangerous chemicals on a rare coin that will ruin its value and potentially harm themselves?

Bottom line, I could go on and on about the possible hazards, but you get my point. Discussing cleaning practices here and there is sometimes acceptable, but let it be known that we take every "cleaning solution" seriously here and we will not allow folks to post unsafe(for coins or humans) cleaning practices. We also do not promote cleaning up coins for future deception on sales.

I'm well aware of the differing rules - necessities - regarding the restoration of Ancients, but these practices have very little place in the disposition of newer coins. For that reason, I have to agree with tights24. By all means, discuss appropriate and popularly-acceptable cleaning solutions for Ancients, but please keep it here in the Ancients forum. And you can expect to be held to discussion of methods considered numismatically appropriate, the same way we police any discussions of conservation methods in other forums.

I agree with tights24 and SsuperDdave a separate section would not be warranted . Ancient coins all have been cleaned at some point after they were removed from the ground otherwise there would just be lumps of dirt. Therefore they are the only type of coin where cleaning is an accepted practice. In the past there were only one or two collectors that cleaned coins. I was one of those but, haven't done so now for a few years since the price of un-cleaned coins has doubled and tripled. Lately new members such as yourself an one or two others from the UK have been posting metal detecting finds that they have cleaned. Because of all the different methods that are used to clean ancients I think to just have a signal thread might confuse others that are just starting out. In the past a thread was started for each cleaning project. I think for the time being we should just leave it at that. If more people start cleaning maybe a sticky thread could be started.

I agree with echizento, would be neat to have a sticky or a section I could go to when needing to clean a particular type of 'dirt'. Imo I don't think a thread would hurt as long as it was made 100 percent clear the coinage we are talking about cleaning, after all we would all be traumatised if someone polished a nice George III 1819 Sovereign because it looked a bit grubby

I am always interested in methods of cleaning, and I love before and after photos. I have never used olive oil, only distilled water. I tried ammonia on a silver coin, and lemon juice but it had little effect.

But if anyone can tell me how get rid of the light brown mud I would be very grateful. You know the sort, you can pick it off, but when you brush the coin it just spreads right back over the bit you just cleaned. Just can't seem to get rid of it.