Posted 04/24/2008 10:04 pm
As a general rule, you should never clean your coins. Especially with any thing harsh. I have been collecting for 20 years and have never cleaned my coins except to remove a fingerprint. I used to use the same method Spedward said, just wipe it off with a cloth.
However since joining this forum I have learnt something that should of been obvious to me. If you wipe a fingerprint with a cloth, all you do is spread the oils over a greater area. It is the oils from your skin that cause the fingerprint to slowly oxidise into the coin.
When this happens, you can't get rid of the print without harsh cleaning, which will ruin your coins.
So, to get rid of fingerprints, as I have learnt here on the forum, simply swish the coin in pure acetone and allow to air dry. (about 4 seconds).
You must use PURE acetone, as nail polish remover has contaminants that will destroy your coin. You can buy pure acetone from bunnings. I litre for about $10.
If you have coins that are valuable and you think really do need to be cleaned, or bronze coins with that horrible green verdigris, ask your local dealer if they can do some restoration on it. They will at least advise you on whether you should be touching them or not.
The dealer may tell you that that ugly coin you have is worth $100 in its current state, but if you clean it, only $20.
However since joining this forum I have learnt something that should of been obvious to me. If you wipe a fingerprint with a cloth, all you do is spread the oils over a greater area. It is the oils from your skin that cause the fingerprint to slowly oxidise into the coin.
When this happens, you can't get rid of the print without harsh cleaning, which will ruin your coins.
So, to get rid of fingerprints, as I have learnt here on the forum, simply swish the coin in pure acetone and allow to air dry. (about 4 seconds).
You must use PURE acetone, as nail polish remover has contaminants that will destroy your coin. You can buy pure acetone from bunnings. I litre for about $10.
If you have coins that are valuable and you think really do need to be cleaned, or bronze coins with that horrible green verdigris, ask your local dealer if they can do some restoration on it. They will at least advise you on whether you should be touching them or not.
The dealer may tell you that that ugly coin you have is worth $100 in its current state, but if you clean it, only $20.
