My metal detecting stash

Heatho · November 03, 2017, 02:45:40 PM

A few Aussie silvers to show off.

First up a 1931 shilling, pretty poor condition though it was in the ground for a long time. It is a relitively low mintage so not a bad score in my opinion.

Heatho · November 03, 2017, 02:47:25 PM

Will have to sort through this pile and find the low mintage key dates. Most are post 46 silvers but there are a few older ones in there. These are all detecting finds from the past few years.

rollycoins · November 03, 2017, 02:54:11 PM

That's impressive! ?

ausjack · November 03, 2017, 03:22:25 PM

Gee that's a pretty good score and a few dollars there in silver :good:

When cleaning them try and be as gentle as possible as the more you scratch the coin the more value you knock off it. Probably best to soak them for a while and use a tooth pick to try and get rid of the harder bits and if possible pat the coins and not wipe.

Heatho · November 04, 2017, 09:19:20 AM

Cheers for the advice.

I know it is a sacrilege to clean coins but I really don't like to see them all dirty after coming out of the ground. The only things I use are bi-carb soda paste on silvers and if really dirty I will use a mild citric acid solution as a soak and then a gentle rub with bi-carb paste, seems to do the trick 90% of the time.

Have you guys seen these coin cleaning pencils called Andre's Pencils? If you have seen them then what do you think about them?

https://detectorist.com.au/products/andres-pencils-dont-clean-your-metal-detecting-finds-restore-them

ausjack · November 04, 2017, 09:41:07 AM

Nah never seen them before. I wonder if they really do bring the coins up like that with out damaging them too much. Be careful with bi-carb and things like that as they are abrasive and will scratch the coin even though it feels smooth as it doesn't take much to scratch the metal on coins and I seen on that link that they mention CLR..DON'T use CLR unless your happy to have a funny looking coin as I have experimented with a few things and tried that and found it sends copper coins a pinkish salmon type colour so you can really tell when one's been dipped in it.

The only things I use now to restore coins are WD type sprays for the green death and acetone for anything sticky and then a rinse in hot soapy water and I find that's normally enough. Just try and be as gentle as you can. You never know you could find something really valuable and make it worthless due to fine scratches. Good luck with your hunting.

Nevol · November 04, 2017, 09:52:16 AM

[quote pid='112721' dateline='1509749360']
Have you guys seen these coin cleaning pencils called Andre's Pencils? If you have seen them then what do you think about them?

[/quote]
First I've ever heard of them. Watched a video and have to say it's left me :scratch_one-s_head:

Nevol · November 04, 2017, 09:55:33 AM

QuoteHave you guys seen these coin cleaning pencils called Andre's Pencils? If you have seen them then what do you think about them?

First I've ever seen of them. Watched a video and can only say it's left me :scratch_one-s_head:

Heatho · November 04, 2017, 09:56:15 AM

Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='112725' dateline='1509750667'Nah never seen them before. I wonder if they really do bring the coins up like that with out damaging them too much. Be careful with bi-carb and things like that as they are abrasive and will scratch the coin even though it feels smooth as it doesn't take much to scratch the metal on coins and I seen on that link that they mention CLR..DON'T use CLR unless your happy to have a funny looking coin as I have experimented with a few things and tried that and found it sends copper coins a pinkish salmon type colour so you can really tell when one's been dipped in it.

The only things I use now to restore coins are WD type sprays for the green death and acetone for anything sticky and then a rinse in hot soapy water and I find that's normally enough. Just try and be as gentle as you can. You never know you could find something really valuable and make it worthless due to fine scratches. Good luck with your hunting.

Thanks again AJ, I will give the WD a go for sure. I might get a set of Andre's Pencils and give them a go over the next few weeks. I'll pick a pretty rugged looking penny and post the results just for interests sake.

I do usually check the dates of silvers just to make sure they are not a good one before cleaning.

Great advice again, I really appreciate it.

I'm learning quite a bit here already. Big thumbs up.

Heatho · November 04, 2017, 10:23:14 AM

Here are a couple of crusty beach coins I found this week, the only real way I've found to help get them back to a respectable state is to soak in a CAB (citric acid bath) and then the bi-carb. Others use a mix of vinegar and salt but I find that doesn't work very well for me mostly.

Anyway will post the progress of these coins while cleaning just for reference. They should come up pretty good.... hopefully.

Another cleaning method I've used for heavily oxidised sterling silver coins is a soak for 10 mins in citric acid and then while the coin is wet with CA is to wrap it tightly in aluminium foil and press it tighly, an exothermic reaction will take place and the coin will get quite warm when pressing it between the thumb and index finger. When the coin cools then you gently rub with bi-carb and it should come up quite new looking usually, I recommend doing this outside as the reaction gives of hydrogen sulphide gas (rotten egg gas).

kchan1111 · November 04, 2017, 10:24:15 AM

Woow this is impressive!

Nevol · November 04, 2017, 10:35:10 AM

I think I see the 1st coin is a 1956 2/-, but what is the 2nd one?

Heatho · November 04, 2017, 11:05:18 AM

Quote from: 'Nevol' pid='112733' dateline='1509753910'I think I see the 1st coin is a 1956 2/-, but what is the 2nd one?

Yes the florin is a 56, the shilling I have no idea yet, hopefully it cleans up well enough to get a date, it is a rams head though.

runway · November 07, 2017, 09:14:16 PM

Quote from: 'Heatho' pid='112731' dateline='1509753194'Here are a couple of crusty beach coins I found this week, the only real way I've found to help get them back to a respectable state is to soak in a CAB (citric acid bath) and then the bi-carb. Others use a mix of vinegar and salt but I find that doesn't work very well for me mostly.

Anyway will post the progress of these coins while cleaning just for reference. They should come up pretty good.... hopefully.

Another cleaning method I've used for heavily oxidised sterling silver coins is a soak for 10 mins in citric acid and then while the coin is wet with CA is to wrap it tightly in aluminium foil and press it tighly, an exothermic reaction will take place and the coin will get quite warm when pressing it between the thumb and index finger. When the coin cools then you gently rub with bi-carb and it should come up quite new looking usually, I recommend doing this outside as the reaction gives of hydrogen sulphide gas (rotten egg gas).

These are not worth the effort :thank_you:

Goldseeker · November 08, 2017, 10:30:49 AM

I have two plastic jars containing pre decimal silver coins from my detecting days. They have been split into pre and post 46.

In all, I did have records showing where and what and when was found totalling in excess of 28,000 coins.

I have a complete set of threepences and almost complete set of sixpences from my detecting days.

All up, something like 5.3 kgs of silver if I decided to melt these coins down.

I have three roughly cast silver ingots as well that were made from badly worn/damaged coins from my detecting days.

It is a good hobby/pastime but watch your shoulder joints as I worn my right one out doing detecting/prospecting.