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Question About Cleaning To Rescue Coins

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sel_69l's Avatar
Australia
21788 Posts
 Posted 05/20/2018  02:49 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add sel_69l to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
With non proof gold coins, in less than MS60, cleaning with clean fingers, using good old soap and water is fine. Finish with a thorough rinse, and pat dry. Best for ancient and hammered gold coins.
Same applies to low value non proof coins of any sort.

Acetone which is a good solvent for organic substances only, is harmless on coins, but I rarely use it.

I am not a fan of a dark patina on a coin, but I will always leave it undisturbed.

In general, I rarely feel inclined to clean any coin. Most coins don't need cleaning anyway.
New Member
9 Posts
 Posted 05/20/2018  04:44 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add coin123 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I still have a few coins dipped in vinegar/salt and then rinse with water yesterday.

At first it was ok, can see the difference. But after rinse and dry, it turns darker. Why is that? Is it non-reversible?
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Conder101's Avatar
United States
17884 Posts
 Posted 05/20/2018  05:07 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Conder101 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
I'll try to wash with water and dishwashing soap first.

Personally I've avoid the dishwashing liquid. Most of them are detergents and some detergents can react with the coinage metals.
Rest in Peace
T-BOP's Avatar
United States
18456 Posts
 Posted 05/20/2018  07:06 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add T-BOP to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
@ coin123 > You keep putting yourself back into a cleaning mode . Read our lips: DO NOT clean your coins ! Water rinse and pat dry on old dirty coins is the only way to go without being condemned . IF you want to conserve your coins then soak in Acetone and or an application of a product called Verdi-Care .
Edited by T-BOP
05/20/2018 07:09 am
New Member
9 Posts
 Posted 05/20/2018  07:33 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add coin123 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Hi T-BOP,

Thats the intention; to clean the coins previously.

Now the coins are getting faded color. Which is why I ask if there's a reversible way ?
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts
 Posted 05/20/2018  08:58 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Do not use tap water on coins. Do not use soaps of any kind on coins. You do not know what is in tap water nor do you know what is in any soaps. Dishwater soaps could contain almost anything. Using any tap water or any soap on a coin is really taking a chance since you don't know what your really using. Please get some distilled water from a store and only use that on coins. Also, Acetone is OK.
IF you really don't care about the coins values, go to a place like Walmart and get some jewelry cleaner solution. Usually harsh enough and strong enough to get rid of things on coins but just remember, also will possibly remove some of the coins metal. Using this will really make your coins just cleaned coins.
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tdziemia's Avatar
United States
7968 Posts
 Posted 05/20/2018  10:02 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add tdziemia to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
coin123,
In my opinion, most of what I see on your coins looks like uneven oxidation/corrosion on the surfaces.

This is a natural process, and there is usually nothing you can do about it.

If you see what looks like dirt, grime,or a sticky substance on your coins, you can use some of the remedies mentioned by others (detergent or acetone), but it looks to me like you mostly have normal environmental effects to the coin surfaces (as mentioned by another poster).

This is what coins normally look like, and attempts to make them bright and shiny are likely to make them look worse instead of better.
Edited by tdziemia
05/20/2018 10:03 am
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moxking's Avatar
United States
17900 Posts
 Posted 05/20/2018  12:13 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add moxking to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
The coins you've shown are already damaged. That damage is irreversible.

A cleaned copper, brass, or bronze coin will NEVER return to the original color, even if naturally re-toned.

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