Dealer Recommended Cleaning Coins

Wow. I've not seen so many differing ideas on "cleaning" in a long time. I do NOT hold myself out as an "expert" on the subject, but I can relate what I have learned, sometimes the hard way, if you know what I mean.

First, never use ammonia for just about all of the reasons stated previously. Ammonia is very nasty stuff.

Second, acetone or a product called Xylol (xylene is the generic name) will remove PVC from any coin's surface (gold, silver, copper, nickel) and will not damage the metal. These will NOT repair PVC damage nor will they remove verdigris (that hard green crud you sometimes find). I have heard of a few folks who claim that acetone or xylene discolors copper coins. I have never had that happen, and I have used xylene to remove gunk from US Large Cents on many occasions.

Third, using acetone or xylene will only remove dirt and "biologicals" (oils from handling, residue from pollution) or PVC "film". It will not remove carbon spots, old fingerprints, "staining", discolorations or natural toning.

Fourth, never use hydrogen peroxide. It can damage the delicate metal surfaces of proofs or MS coins, but I don't remember exactly why or how this happens.

Fifth, and probably most important, IMHO, ALWAYS use a "stepped" process for cleaning the coins. Example: Take a PVC coated coin, dip in either acetone or xylene for a few minutes, remove and rinse with DISTILLED water (not tap water as it usually contains contaminants), dip or rinse the coin again with fresh acetone or xylene, and examine the surface of the coin when dry. It should be free of the contaminants. If not, repeat the process, but don't use the same bowl of acetone or xylene more than once. You could re-introduce contaminants to the next coin's surface if you do.

I hope this stuff helps.

ooops...sorry..i didn't notice there was more then one page to this topic..and that you've already cleaned I thingee :)

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Originally posted by biokemist6

Hmm, I might have to take a few of my grungy coins to my lab and try this out as I have a 230L tank of LN2 there

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Wow, just don't drop your coin afterwards!

If you don't know what your doing and with what it's better not to clean coins as the value of the coin can be much lower also if not done right.

A brown or even black colored coin has more collecting value for most collectors and it's good to know this especially if you are intending to sell the coin.