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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,486 |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
Now I don't want to get yelled at for suggesting I should actually clean a coin- but, I've come across a proof '64 Kennedy half in circulation. Someone's kid probably popped it out of their dad's collection. It has fingerprints and a few scratches on it. Would it be useful at all to try to clean off the fingerprints from the mirrored back? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
A short acetone soak followed by a rinse in distilled water should do the trick. Just do not rub the coin in any manor. You should also wait and see what others say on the matter cause there are those here that are much more experienced than I, and  to the forum. Edited by Tim Stroud
12/23/2009 3:27 pm
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New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
Thanks. That may work. I'll see if there are other ideas. I guess it's the oils from the fingerprints that would be going the damage.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
A dunking in acetone should remove them if fresh(just search the forum for proper use), I would not recommend a water rinse because even distilled can leave waterspots on a proof. If the fingerprints are not fresh, they are there permanently as the acids in skin oils will etch the print into the metal given enough time. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
Proofs are tricky to conserve, I agree with biokemist.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
United States
53 Posts |
I found a Flying Eagle cent. The problem is that it is CAKED on with gunk. I can not tell what year it is. It might be a nice coin under the gunk, but I am afraid to do anything to it as I do not want to ruin it. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
"Gunk" - implying something organic - can be loosened with a soak in olive oil, although it may take months to loosen the gunk up. Olive oil and distlled water are the solvents of choice for helping to de-crust Roman coins which have been buried for centuries, so they should be of some work on your Flying Eagle cent. For non-critical coins, ones that are obviously not proofs or those worth into three figures, I use Goo-Gone and a toothpick, although even a toothpick can pick up grit and scratch a coin. |
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Valued Member
United States
53 Posts |
Olive oil huh? I am brand new to the coin collecting world so I have no idea.
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Valued Member
United States
58 Posts |
Olive Oil I have never heard of that either. So I guess the cleaner advertised are just a money making scam.
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Valued Member
United States
53 Posts |
I know a lot of people say DO NOT CLEAN!! The only reason that I want to clean my coin is because I can not see the date on it as it is.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,486 |
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Posted 12/23/2009 3:31 pm
