A green (fresh) thorn would be better. Keep in mind that the gunk you see probably has sand/grit on the mixture. A toothpick could move it, but the sand in the grit can leave a scratch. So you need to dissolve it a bit to release the gunk from the coin. I use a soak in mineral oil to loosen the junk. It is more like the lubricants that are used on machines. But the thorn will give, where as the toothpick is stiff.


Experiment on common circulated coins to get down the technique first. On the coins on the image above, I covered 1/2 with tape, for the before and after images. Only use this on heavily circulated coin with the issues seen above. Never use this on a BU coin or even attempt it on a proof coin. The mineral oil will not remove stains, only dissolves the greasy gunk on the coin. Not to be used as a cleaner for coins, but to remove attached gum around the devices. Stains are permanent. Carbon spots are permanent. Split plating can't be fixed. So it would be a waste of time trying to do something that couldn't be done. Always try on a common normal coin from circulation first. Don't ruin a good coin.
CoopHome: How can I remove gunk from around the devices of circulated coins. Is there any risk in removing this? Will this make the coin new again? No! Just a removal method for gunk attached to the devices.


Experiment on common circulated coins to get down the technique first. On the coins on the image above, I covered 1/2 with tape, for the before and after images. Only use this on heavily circulated coin with the issues seen above. Never use this on a BU coin or even attempt it on a proof coin. The mineral oil will not remove stains, only dissolves the greasy gunk on the coin. Not to be used as a cleaner for coins, but to remove attached gum around the devices. Stains are permanent. Carbon spots are permanent. Split plating can't be fixed. So it would be a waste of time trying to do something that couldn't be done. Always try on a common normal coin from circulation first. Don't ruin a good coin.
CoopHome: How can I remove gunk from around the devices of circulated coins. Is there any risk in removing this? Will this make the coin new again? No! Just a removal method for gunk attached to the devices.
Richard S. Cooper
Some have asked about my images I use and I'm glad to say, you can now you can see the DVD in sections on youtube:
1. Intro, older coins, toned coins 2. Doubled dies 3. Die events, One of a kind errors 4. So called errors, Coin information 5. Coin information Types and Varieties, Overlays
Jefferson nickel doubled dies Wexler/Rebar complete listings
trail dies:http://www.traildies.com/
Some have asked about my images I use and I'm glad to say, you can now you can see the DVD in sections on youtube:
1. Intro, older coins, toned coins 2. Doubled dies 3. Die events, One of a kind errors 4. So called errors, Coin information 5. Coin information Types and Varieties, Overlays
Jefferson nickel doubled dies Wexler/Rebar complete listings
trail dies:http://www.traildies.com/