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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,256 |
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Valued Member
United States
105 Posts |
Hi all. I am wondering about safe ways to clean coins. I know that NGC will not grade cleaned coins because they might alter the finish of the coins, which is understandable. That is not what I'm trying to do. I ask this question because I have a few coins that are in fair to good shape with little to no wear. However, they just seem dirty. I'm not talking about tarnishing or any other type of spots, but more like a dirt/dust look. Almost like the last person to touch them had muddy hands. I would like to clean them before I put them in any kind of permanent storage/protector. I do NOT want to use any harsh chemicals that will in any way alter the coin. I'm not even looking to make then any more shiny, I just want to clean them up. So am I limited to water, or soap and water? Or is there any other type of accepted coin cleaner? Or should I not clean them at all?
Edited by Forum Mom to move to Main Coin Forum since this subject pertains to all coinage
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Best way is to leave them alone.
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Valued Member
United States
228 Posts |
The absolute best way to clean a coin to make it have more value is to NOT clean it. Sounds dumb but true. When you clean the coin, you risk scratching it greatly. Also, silver coins that you can dip into the solution to make the 'clean' take off a layer. They dont remove too much but some is still removed. Just dont clean them.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
868 Posts |
My self the only time I would clean a coin to preserved it is when there is a signe of corrusion.
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Valued Member
United States
138 Posts |
silver coins + silver polish = ugly silver bullion
A great coin mathematical equation for which I cannot take credit, but one that is certainly the best I have seen
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Member
United States
3242 Posts |
Clean silver gold copper = scrap metal prices
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Valued Member
 United States
105 Posts |
Thanks for your opinions. I agree that you should just leave the coins in their natural state as far as toning and patina. But say you have a coin with a big greasy finger print on it, or some other grime. There has to be a way to clean up coins without affecting them. What about rinsing them in a mild soap solution or just water, and either lightly pat them dry with a terry cloth, or let them air dry?
What do you think?
If you were to send of a coin to be graded, lets say NGC, and it had a big fingerprint on it, would NGC grade it lower and slab it that way? Or would they clean it? If clean it, how would they do it?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
It depends on how long the fingerprint has been there- you may not be able to do anything about it. Skin oils contain organic acids that will, over time, cause a fresh fingerprint to be etched into the surface of the coin. Acetone and xylene are organic solvents that will remove fresh fingerprints and not harm the coin but if the print is etched, it is permanent. Fingerprints can affect the grade of a coin in mid-high mint state, especially copper. NGC will not clean a coin that you submit to them. BTW, this is a controversial topic with numismatists. IMO, using a VOC to remove organic material is not cleaning, it is conservation since you are removing something from the coin that could cause harm but the process is not harmful to the coin. Proper conservation will not alter the surface of the metal in any way. Cleaning(in the numismatic sense) equals a damaging process i.e. buffing, polishing, rubbing, dipping in acids, etc. NGC has a division called NCS( http://www.ncscoin.com/) that is in the business of professionally conserving coins. Once they conserve a coin(if they deem that it can be helped) it can then be submitted to NGC for grading/slabbing. Edited by biokemist6
04/11/2008 3:42 pm
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Valued Member
United States
105 Posts |
Biokemist and others thanks for your replies. quote:
it is conservation since you are removing something from the coin that could cause harm but the process is not harmful to the coin. Proper conservation will not alter the surface of the metal in any way. Cleaning(in the numismatic sense) equals a damaging process i.e. buffing, polishing, rubbing, dipping in acids, etc.
I had never thought of cleaning as damaging till now. It makes sense though. Removing dirt, grime and other thing that are not natural to the coin surface is what I want to remove. And in no way do I want to alter the coin it self. Perhaps my original question should have been, How to "Conserve" coins? Another reason I even bring this question up is because sometimes when I go digging, I find coins. I would like to know the best way to conserve then without harming them. |
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Valued Member
United States
105 Posts |
I have read of people using Acetone to clean coins. I have heard of it before, but have no idea what it is. Is it an alcohol type chemical? Is it safe to use on all coins? What would be the best way to use it?
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Valued Member
United States
52 Posts |
Is it ok to just to put them in soapy water? I got some rolls of pennies from the bank to search and they were nasty, like someone soaked them in soda and left them in their car's ash tray for a year and then put them in rolls...yuk! I want to search them, but I think I'd rather go put my hands in a jar of bacon grease! At least I would know what that nasty film was!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
The question comes up all the time.........JUST DON'T DO IT !......Leave em' alone.......or take them to someone who's a pro at it and be able to look at the work they've done on other coins.....if ya approve of those.....let him do it, or teach you the most careful way to proceed with the potentially damaging devaluing process.
Edited by eaglefoot
04/16/2008 09:13 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
quote:
I have read of people using Acetone to clean coins. I have heard of it before, but have no idea what it is. Is it an alcohol type chemical? Is it safe to use on all coins? What would be the best way to use it?
Acetone can be found at CVS in the nail polish remover section, it is used for that but be sure you get the 100% acetone not regular nail polish remover. Its what beauty salons use to take off fake nails I believe |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,256 |
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Posted 04/05/2008 3:54 pm
