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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,566 |
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New Member
United States
26 Posts |
I recently purchased some uncleaned coins and I have been soaking them in DW and using a toothbrush on them. I wanted to get a little more detailed. I was thinking this set from ebay looked good  I want something that is relatively safe. Does a set like this seem worth like $40? I start my vacation next week and I wanted to spend some time on getting these coins in nice shape. |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I wouldn't pay $40 for them. Don't think they would be very useful.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
Are they made of steel ?
Nothing harder than a brass brush is advisable for bronze coins and for silver it is a definite no no.
Brushing is inherently a 'dangerous' proceedure. Things can be removed which are better left alone. Bamboo is quite safe even with a moderate amount of pressure. Stay away from steel.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
Brass is even rough on the patina sometimes; I don't use it anymore. Much past a bamboo skewer leaves you a lot of opportunity to really damage the coin.
If you are confident you know what you're doing and have some low value coins to practice on I use a dental pick for the real detail work. Also good for getting under blocks of sediment to pull them off. I've wrecked some coins that way too though.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Toothbrush bristles are softer than copper or brass bristles.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Stick with bamboo and or a toothbrush (bristles cut to half length) until you are more experienced.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Coin collectors rule of thumb ! Do not clean coins. unless you know what your doing, or you can ruin the coin for good.
the soaking is ok but not any kind of stiff brushes or those wood tools.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
 I heard people use a rose thorn and wood toothpicks. If you are going to "clean" coins be very careful and practise on junk coins first. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
I have tried both rose thorns and toothpicks, both were useless.
You could buy a batch of uncleaned coins to practice on. You rarely find anything spectacular, you will learn a lot whilst you are doing it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
I've had some luck with wooden toothpicks, and plastic. but I usually use metal needles. I don't really suggest it to start out with however.
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
I have that "cleaning set"...
I use only the second tool for polishing patinas, the others are useless (in my own opinion)
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5828 Posts |
I had a heart attack when I saw this, and then I noticed it was ancients so by the time the paramedics arived I was okay  |
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
I have my "own tool", I think that iron or steel is simply too dangerous to be used, so I thought that I needed a brass or copper needle... This was my answer:  an unexpensive copper wire inside of an automatic pen. Cheap, easy to use... |
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New Member
 United States
26 Posts |
I tried tooth picks today, but it didn't even phase the gunk on these coins. I might need to do a stronger soak in TSP and try brushing with the bristles cut down. Just brushing with the soft brush bristles isn't making progress anymore. I can see a bit of nice details on a few, but I have no idea who or what any of them are yet.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
For $1.99 buy a bag of bamboo shiskebabe skewers. An exacto knife for sharpening.
And I think the copper wire in a pencil is a great idea !
Most stamped bronze has been 'hardened' by the strike. A soft annealed piece of pointed copper wire should not easily scratch unless you press quite hard, and it can be used in tight places like legends.
I used a sharp bamboo on the legend on the Tiberius I posted. The 'sand' plugging up the letters can away easily.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,566 |
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Posted 05/18/2015 11:24 pm
