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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,452 |
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Valued Member
United States
52 Posts |
*** Edited by Staff to clarify topic title. Titles are important! ***Is it ok to rub with your fingers using an actual soft cloth to remove old build up on dirty coins to see whats under nieth the grime and dirt
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Any friction, even with a soft cloth, does damage. Pure acetone wash followed by filtered water rinse followed by air dry is acceptable. Show us photos for specific recommendations. And  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Yes and no. If a coin is pretty well circulated, and not an obvious rarity, I see no harm in even using bare fingers to smooch a coin.  |
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New Member
United States
18 Posts |
No, though that cloth my not leave scratches you can see with your eyes, you certainly can with even just a 60x microscope, and does not look pleasing. If you want to remove dirt soak it in soapy water overnight and let it air dry.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Nothing wrong with soft fingertips on a well circulated coin. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Quote:
Nothing wrong with soft fingertips on a well circulated coin. I think your sending the wrong message out there . It is not a good idea to clean any coin by any method other than an acetone soak and air dry . You would just be grinding that dirt into the coin by using a cloth between your fingers .  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I did not suggest a cloth, just soft fingertips. Christ, I've done this to thousands of circulated coins in my life. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7933 Posts |
Beware! Minefield! |
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Valued Member
 United States
52 Posts |
Nice to know, thanks to all of you for responding I am taking notes and learning more little by little appreciate the information and insight of what to do and not to. you all rock
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
It is sort of wrong to suggest any cleaning of coins due to misinterpreting the word cleaning. Many would try many other methods of cleaning due to a suggestion that it is OK. Best to just say don't clean coins.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Quote:
I did not suggest a cloth, just soft fingertips. Christ, I've done this to thousands of circulated coins in my life.  Ok,Ok no need to go crazy on us .  |
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Moderator
 United States
187637 Posts |
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Pure acetone wash followed by filtered water fresh acetone rinse followed by air dry (which with acetone is really, really fast) is acceptable. Fixed it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1667 Posts |
Meh, dont' mess with Proofs, or clearly uncircualted coins.
I have no issue whatsoever wiping away gunk on circulated finds from rolls, they've been handled, they've been in pockets and purses and shelves, and drawers, and under couch cushions and car seats, ate and pooped out by dogs and people, and I SERIOUSLY doubt my finger picking at it or wiping it off with my T shirt or a cloth is going to change anything as far as the value of it. I even pick at them with a wooden toothpick if necessary.
Again I wouldn't do it with obviously uncirculated coins or proof coins, but circulated finds, meh, not going to do anything beyond what's already been done to it.
It's when you get to cleaning agents like comet or soft scrub, or abrasives like sand paper, you are doing a disservice to a circulated coin and damaging it further than it was.
And you shouldn't be wiping a BU coin or a proof coin regardless, it shouldn't have schmutz on it that needs to come off since it hasn't circulated.
By the way in either case, with a BU coin or a proof, do not blow on it with your mouth to remove a piece of lint, it's even worse than wiping it with your finger or a cloth in the long run. LOL
Edited by Big-Kingdom
09/05/2019 09:54 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73628 Posts |
As a general rule, no. It will harm the coin. The surfaces would get ruined and the coin's value would drop as well. Only 100 percent pure Acetone and Verdi-Care are safe, as long as it's done correctly.
Errers and Varietys.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,452 |
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Posted 09/03/2019 7:13 pm
