Ok...so I came across a 58 Wheat Lincoln and a 59 and 69 LMC all in great shape....the bad news is the dirt collected around the lettering of course....and if I'm right about what looks to be under the dirt....it coule change the entire outlook of the coin....ive been using extra virgin olive oil to lift the dirt off the surface of my coins lately....these coins are a different story though...I need to get ghe grime off....but dont dare to damage the coin. The olive oil ok? Any input?
to CCF....100% Acetone,that can be found at hardware stores, is ok for copper coins. Bad Thad wrote up a good thread on this..search in "search" box "Acetone Bad Thad" you will see a listing titled "Help me Bad Thad" click on it,then scroll down to Jbucks post and click on link he posted. You'll see Bad Thads write up on this..It's worked great for me...good luck
Here's my issue. If the coin has been stained by the grime around the letters, even removing the grime will still show a two toned contrast and ideally you want all surfaces to be the same after cleaning it up.
Pictures may help in determining what the outcome might be, but I'm afraid you'll wind up with it appearing to have been cleaned no matter how you handle it. You won't really know until you see what's under the grime. Best case where the grime was sat protected and will appear cleaner, worst case it was mildly corrosive and where it was afterrible you remove it will be pitted a bit.
It's really a case by case basis. Sometimes it's best to leave it alone than do anything.
Olive oil best used for ancient bronze coins, not modern coins. Olive oil is slightly acidic, and helps protect the patina on an ancient bronze coin, as well as helping to loosen hard, caked on dirt.
Olive oil will darken modern bronze coins with mint luster. Perhaps VerdiCare is better.
If below MS condition clean with soap and water then acetone. If in MS+ condition, soak in acetone only, don't rub, and let dry. If dark patchy stains remain, too bad, they will have to stay there.
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