What Happened To My Coin? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,157
gerry New Member United States 8 Posts	Posted 04/01/2007 10:08 pm I went out for my first time with a metal detector and I found a 1957-D Franklin with-in the first 5 mins, then nothing the rest of the day, but it was fun. My question is, when I rubbed the dirt off the coin to see what it was, the part I rubbed became real shinny, but when I got home and washed it off with soap and water it turned real dull and white everywhere except where I rubbed it, so now I have the first time find blues. What did I do wrong and how should I have cleaned the coin off? Thanks to all. Gerry Report this Post to the Staff

edix Valued Member United States 270 Posts	Posted 04/01/2007 10:44 pm Why would you wash it with soap? Report this Post to the Staff
Tykimeister Pillar of the Community United States 882 Posts	Posted 04/02/2007 12:29 am You shouldn't have washed the coin with soap and water until you are 100% sure it's not salvagable. You should have gently rubbed the dirt off and picked the dirt off with something soft. I don't know what gave yeah the idea to use soap on silver. I would suggest doing some reading before you go out again. Ty Report this Post to the Staff
karrlot Pillar of the Community United States 535 Posts	Posted 04/02/2007 12:38 am Thats pretty cool that you found a silver half!! Ive never gone metal detecting, and I've no desire to, but I'm all about getting something for free!!! The only thing I've used to clean coins is acetone and olive oil (not at the same time) to get gunk off of them. I'd definatly suggest doing some research though before you try to clean a coin again. Maybe even get a poor grade coin and practice on it. Congrats on your find!! Report this Post to the Staff
gerry New Member United States 8 Posts	Posted 04/02/2007 12:46 am I was always told while growing up to only use mild soap and water, no chemicals. But that's why I'm here now, to learn the right way. Edix didn't help at all with his so called answer, but Tykimeister, you were very helpful and I will clean the coins off first next time and do some reading on coin cleaning. The coin had a full bell line before I washed it now, well, lets just say, I won't do that again. Thanks, Gerry Report this Post to the Staff
josie Valued Member Ireland 498 Posts	Posted 04/02/2007 10:30 am I thought it was safe to clean coins with soap and water it depends on the metal and its state thanks for the info Ive still lot to learn. Report this Post to the Staff
Learjet Pillar of the Community Australia 655 Posts	Posted 04/02/2007 12:21 pm Perhaps there was a chemical in the dirt that reacted with a chemical in the soap. You could try ammonia followed by gentle detergent. Report this Post to the Staff
edix Valued Member United States 270 Posts	Posted 04/02/2007 12:40 pm Gerry, thanx for answering my question why you used soap. Anyone who is interested in preserving the value of coins would likely benefit from finding out about the dangers of ruining a coin's value by washing with soap and other means. Unfortunately people's common sense and other people's bad advice often gets in the way of protecting a coin's value and even beauty in such a manner. Cheers! Report this Post to the Staff
collect4fun Pillar of the Community United States 1151 Posts	Posted 04/02/2007 1:30 pm If you were just washing off dirt, water would have been fine. Even with using some mild soap, I do not think you washed away any bell lines unless you were using something like LAVA soap. Everyone has some sort of Live and Learn episode with coins. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,157

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