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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,401 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2208 Posts |
Please see the two photos. I have several 19th-century coins like this Barber and Columbian commemorative that are in nice condition, but have horrible black tarnishing. At least I think it's tarnish. It looks like someone attacked them with an ink stamp. I'm interested in trying to remove this tarnish (or whatever it is), not because I want to try to increase their numismatic value, but because I want them to look nicer. Can anyone help?   |
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
not sure if acetone would affect these stains, but it might be worth a try. Wait for the experts to chime in
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1610 Posts |
Try acetone. never clean coins! even if you don't need it for numismatic value, they're gonna look worse than before...
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
there are only two rules for cleaning coins:
1. don't do it; and
2. if in doubr, re-read rule No. 1.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2208 Posts |
Aw, c'mon! You guys are no fun!
Seriously, it seems that there must be a way to clean this metal on these coins without making them look worse. I'm a musician and cleaning brass and silver-plated instruments to bring their original shine back is normal and it works. And people polish their silver tableware all the time and it ends up looking grand.
I've always subscribed to the notion that cleaning coins is a very bad thing to do, and have never done it. But now that I'm thinking about it, if it works for other metal objects, why doesn't it work for coins?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Because the surfaces on a coin are not all flat.
Cleaning coins ruins any numismatic value. Personally, I won't buy a cleaned or damaged coin...no matter the grade.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3345 Posts |
Because cleaning leaves hairline scratches and it's not an original surface after that- I like original surfaces and would never buy a coin I could tell was cleaned.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
If these were my coins, I would not clean them. I also don't think they look so bad. I prefer buying coins in their original uncleaned state and find they are far easier to sell. Once a coin is cleaned it ialmost always loses value. There are some exceptions, such as a coin that has a progressive problem. PVC contamination and verdigris elimination for example, might save the coin from further damage but your coins are not damaged, as a matter of fact, the dark toning is actually helping to protect them from environmental damage. If you happen to find another Colombian commemorative half dollar or 1899 Barber quarter ( which it appears to be ) that is more to your liking you can sell these off no problem. If that is an 1899 S Quarter and you clean it, tsk tsk tsk! Any dealer will gladly trade you cleaned coins of the same dates you have for your coins all day long. Hope the comments from the CCF members help you. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
If those black marks cannot be removed with acetone (therefore not organic), an inorganic approach has to be considered. Those black marks may well be silver sulphide, and is next to impossible to remove, without affecting the rest of the coin.
Straightaway, the risk of the loss of patina has to be considered.
One of the commercial silver plate cleaners could be considered. Some commercial silver plate cleaners are chemically designed to address the problem of silver sulphide discoloration. Buy a small amount of what you may think is the most appropriate, and test on a junk bullion silver coin. Some development of your own cleaning technique will be required.
However, you will have to expect that whatever way you go, the resultant coin will appear to be cleaned. How far you go down this path is a matter for your own judgement. Coins that look like cleaned silver tableware can look very dissapointing.
It comes down to a decision: ? Will the result be better for the coin?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2208 Posts |
Well, I do believe that it's best to let them be. Besides all the other good points you all brought up, I am so used to them the way they are, that if I see them without all that gunk, they're bound to look unnatural.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
They look great just as they are...do not clean them!
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I'm a musician and cleaning brass and silver-plated instruments to bring their original shine back is normal and it works. And people polish their silver tableware all the time and it ends up looking grand.
Not all items are equal. For example almost everyone washes and waxes their cars and yes, they do look better and people would tend to pay more for a cleaned car. People too would rather buy a cleaned house than one full of dirt. Same with your musical instruments, eating utensils, a boat, plane, washing machine or pad of paper. However, the same is not true for antiques, coins or an Egypian Mummy. IF that dark stuff on your coins is now part of the coins, removing it would also remove part of the coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2208 Posts |
Gee, I just cleaned my Egyptian mummy with Tide last week, and you're right, he doesn't look so good anymore.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
193 Posts |
My opinion would be to leave them as they are. If they have sentimental value, keep them if not sell them and look around for some that are in better grade. May cost you a little more but if your just looking for a nice looking coin and have the cash to spare why not.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,401 |
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Posted 10/15/2011 9:29 pm
