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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,072 |
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Valued Member
Nauru
65 Posts |
Hello, Can anybody help with cleaning of aussie pennies that have built up some greenish stuff? Also have some US silvers and some other silver coins from other countries starting to have some build up. Attached is a 1936 penny for you to see.  http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/...19_Penny.jpg target _blank rel nofollow http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/...19_Penny.jpg /a " border="0" style='cursor:default' onClick='doimage(this,event)'> |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1121 Posts |
check BadThad's threads...and welcome!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Basically depending on the value of the coins in question, be carefull attempting to clean them. Ever watch the Antique Road Show on TV? The constantly stress not to clean old stuff. Collectors want originality. If you have fairly non valuable coins to clean, my first suggestion is to just try items around the house. Going out and purchasing cleaning agents for non valuable materials and items is sort of like purchasing the highest octane gas for a car that is supposed to run on regular.
Naturally the first thing to try is WATER. If you have distilled water at home, it works best. Heating a dirty coin in water may help a little also but do not heat excessively. Just warm. Allowing a coin with some green stuff to soak for a period of time in Baking Soda and water solution may also help neutralize what ever is on the coins. Many people have tried such things as Olive Oils. There is another post right here suggesting that.
The main thing I always stress is to be carefull. You do not know the people that make all kinds of suggestions on what to do so they have nothing to loose, but you do.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
OOOPPs. Just noticed your kind of new to the forum so
WELCOME TO THE FORUM.
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Valued Member
United States
75 Posts |
I agree that cleaning coins is generally taboo.
But if you've already got a coin that's been damaged by previous cleaning then I don't see anything wrong with a gentle "degreaser".
I *have* done this on my own coins--but only those that have already been compromised.
But equal parts baking soda and BABY SHAMPOO have removed some unsightly crud on some of my JUNKY silver.
Rinse in lukewarm water. Dry on soft towel. Et voila'! Your junky silver coin has slightly better eye appeal--if for no other reason you can now appreciate the scars of whizzing much more.
:)
Edited by zerozero
09/20/2008 4:35 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
But equal parts baking soda and BABY SHAMPOO have removed some unsightly crud on some of my JUNKY silver.
Rinse in lukewarm water. Dry on soft towel. Et voila'! Your junky silver coin has slightly better eye appeal--if for no other reason you can now appreciate the scars of whizzing much more.
Again you have to be carefull there. For example not all baking sodas have the same consistancy for purity. And Baby Shampoos differ massively pending the manufacturer. Rinsing in lukewarm water may also by a disaster. Note unless it is distilled water it may consist of more substances than you could imagine. For example if your water is so called tap water that has run through a water softener, it now contains large amounts of salts. If your tap water is from well water it may consist of excessive amounts of minerals. If your tap water is from a large cities water supply it more than likely consists of Chlorine and/or Florine. This is why in such areas people are warned if you use such water for houseplants, you should leave it stand for 24 hours to allow these gases to dissapate. As I constantly warn people what some may state is from substances that worked for them and will come out to be disaterous for others. Know what your doing. |
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Valued Member
United States
75 Posts |
No disagreement here.
Everyone should use their best judgment.
And I had no idea about letting the Chlorine gases evaporate before watering the plants!
Who knew?
:)
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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And I had no idea about letting the Chlorine gases evaporate before watering the plants!
Not to get away from coins but that is something that really should be more publicized. So many people have problems with houseplants and one of the main reasons is the items put into the water to kill germs and bacteria. Chlorinated water is common in large city water reclamation plants. Allowing the water to stand for about 24 hours would allow these gases to disapate and allowing the water to be safer for plants. Naturally Chlorine is not the greatest for Silver coins either. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
actually allowing the water to sit for 24 hours no longer has good results getting the chlorine because many water treatment places have changed the chlorine chemical as some aquarium owners have learned upon the demise of their fish.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
actually allowing the water to sit for 24 hours no longer has good results getting the chlorine because many water treatment places have changed the chlorine chemical as some aquarium owners have learned upon the demise of their fish.
Very, very true. That is why I constantly mention to know what your doing. That is just one example of different methods of doing something. Our plants in our area are still Florinating and Chlorinating. However, as you pointed out many areas have changed to and/or are trying different chemicals and methods of purifications. Regardless, coins should not be cleaned, rinsed in tap water. Wierd HUH. Not safe for fish tanks, your coins, etc but you can drink the stuff. Ever wonder why we are all so sick all the time? |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,072 |
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Posted 09/20/2008 3:28 pm
