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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,898 |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
I have a quick question. My great grandfather had some steel pennys he's kept in his basement for over 40 years, when I inherited them they were in vf condition.. with the exception of some minor corrosion from being stored. When I got them I immediately decided to clean them in vinegar, as I do all my other cents. After I let them sit for about 5 minutes, they have tarnished to a dark tone. I am unsure as to what I do next to bring them back to a brighter tone, or is the damage done and I need to just leave them be? |
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Moderator
 United States
188207 Posts |
 to the Community! Your reply was split into its own topic for the proper attention.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19147 Posts |
I'm afraid your steel cents are now compromised. I wouldn't suggest any further cleaning. Coins and vinegar typically don't go well together--an opinion held by most, but not all collectors.
Just curious, how long were they in vinegar?
Could you post a photo or two of the results?
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New Member
 United States
5 Posts |
No longer than 5 minutes. And ofcourse I'll send some pictures
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I'm guessing these had little value to start and even less now.  to the CCF! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19944 Posts |
Vinegar is very acidic, acids are extremely harmful to all metals and will ruin your coins. NEVER clean your coins with anything.
Welcome to CC!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
646 Posts |
NEVER ever ever clean your coins unless its with something like pure acetone. Cleaning your coins will ruin them in a way that cannot be undone.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Not as bad as I anticipated .Looks like you have some Mint Marks thrown in the mix . Like already said above do not clean your coins with anything , especially vinegar . |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
It's somewhat common for dirtfishing enthusiasts to tumble common copper cents in vinegar, light salt and an abrasive media such as aquarium gravel, so yes, thousands of us clean coins. Coins of face value, plain circulated coins.
Those steel wheats will never have much value and they will survive.
When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Valued Member
United States
135 Posts |
You already damaged them, so don't continue to further damage them. You don't 'bring back a coin' or 'clean them', you only damage them. None of my coins are cleaned and Ill never buy a cleaned coin. I'd enjoy bags of 1943 cents, but the second vinegar touches them, I keep them far far away from me. Leave them be, seriously.
If there is any advice I could give someone interested in coins, its to put yourself in the mindset that cleaning means damaging. There is no way to have an undamaged clean coin. I wouldn't even want a PCGS Restored coin or NGS Preserved coin, that just means an acetone dip.
Being in the mindset that "acetone is fine" or "It still has original surfaces" is the worst way to view it. It very well could be true, but for 99% of collectors, we don't want cleaned coins, even just with water.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
As noted you already messed them up so leave them alone for now. |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
As something passed down from family I'm not concerned for the value. Just the way they appear. Thank you all for your opinion and time
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
 with ^most* others above. Cleaning means damage/ruining of any coin, period. As also stated above, I too will never purchase a cleaned coin. I have seen sellers on ebay that state "lightly cleaned". Cleaning of any amount destroys value. Even water, unless it's distilled, has impurities and shouldn't be used. A coin may look better after cleaning, but upon inspection will have scratches or marks on the surfaces. Most collectors cringe when they hear a coin has been cleaned. Celebrate the connection these pennies have to your Great Grandfather and cherish them as they are. to the CCF! |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Quote:
Celebrate the connection these pennies have to your Great Grandfather and cherish them as they are.
Well said merclover !  |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,898 |
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Posted 01/02/2020 6:16 pm
