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 Replies: 9 / Views: 6,167 |
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
Got out metal detecting yesterday for my first time since back surgery. Found a pretty cool old coin spill. 1917 Mercury dime, 1920 Wheatie, and a dateless Buffalo. Is there any way to clean the cent and nickel to make them look a little nicer?  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1747 Posts |
Acetone bath would be the best, but be careful as the stuff is noxious. you should search the forum on the best practices before doing this.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
Dug coins are already 'damaged', so we want to be careful.
Maybe a soak in mineral oil, not olive oil, for a few days or weeks.
I then use a q-tip swabbed with vasoline for a light cleanup.
When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Yeah , there's really nothing that will restore those Cents or Nickels to a normal circulated state . the silver as you can see come out of the ground like the day they were dropped .  Peroxide and vinegar solution will clean up the copper enough to dump them without feeling any remorse.  |
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Valued Member
 United States
134 Posts |
Quote:
Peroxide and vinegar solution will clean up the copper enough to dump them without feeling any remorse. Do I just soak them, or clean with a q-tip or what? 50-50 mix? I just found my first ever V-Nickel, a 1904 and my oldest coin to date  would love to see the detail a little better. |
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New Member
Australia
25 Posts |
Do not use vinegar, do not use electrolysis, do not use anything especially those two I've mentioned.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
I disagree ! If you can physically tell that's it's not a rare date ( MM ).then I suggest cleaning them up for dumping . If you even think it has numismatic value in dug condition, do not clean .take it to your LCS for recommendation . |
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Valued Member
United States
403 Posts |
I agree the wheatie and Buffalo nickel appear hopeless. Cleaning wouldn't help much and probably damage them further. Alternatively, you could label them as "archeological finds" with some description of the soils/conditions/depth in which they were found. Make something from nothing! |
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
I like to keep all my metal detecting finds, not looking to dump them, or sell them. Just want to make them look a little better for display.
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Valued Member
United States
403 Posts |
For dug coins, I think they look pretty good as they are. There's interesting toning not often observed. If you wish to apply a light cleaning to remove dirt and reveal some details, be conservative. Try to preserve the patina. To start, a long soak in warm soapy water probably wouldn't hurt them any further, followed by q-tip applications over 24 hours to see progress. If you're successful at removing the dirt, a quick soak in acetone will then help remove residual water, then perhaps something to help seal the surfaces like Verdi-care or an oil. Let us know what you decide.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 6,167 |
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Posted 05/11/2016 1:59 pm
