coin cleaning

[ausjack]

I know what ya saying interest but you really can't compare chalk and cheese and GS I would have left them alone as a little grime never hurt anyone but might actually devalue them.

[r9453]

The story about the car is interesting but :i_agree: with AJ, its not comparable with cleaning coins. What about cleaning antique silverware? That stuff can be very expensive but I don't think collectors like it too grubby.

[trout]

I was looking at my coin collection today and realized that my pre decimal silver coins looked dirty. Si I decided to give them 30 minutes in an ultra sonic cleaner.

I don't think you have done any harm here Bruce, But I would advise not to do this to any high grade or high value coins Mate :ok:

[Goldseeker]

Many thanks for your comments but the 6d, 1sh and florins really do look ugly.

As they are circulated coins, I don't think an ultra sonic cleaning will harm them.

[JeffH]

As they are circulated coins, I don't think an ultra sonic cleaning will harm them.

Depends on how you place them in the cleaner -don't want them rubbing together or on any metal. I use some thin polycarbonate sheets as a separators (with lots of holes drilled in them to allow free circulation of fluid.
And, what fluid are you using? I usually use water with a drop of detergent as a wetting agent. Use detergent with least colour you can find -the dies used in some brightly coloured detergents can stain the coins. For aluminum, bronze coins I use a splash of acetone in the water and a squirt of windex, or similar -the alloy in those coins will badly discolour with detergent.

Only noodled coins ever get this treatment; never very high grade or valuable coins as trout indicated. It is amazing how much grim can be removed from even quite clean looking coins.

[Goldseeker]

Water, a splash of dishwashing detergent and only a small part of the rims are touching.

I suspend them in the liquid using a nylon/plastic flour strainer.

Works OK for me.

[autocoupler]

Finally rid myself of those rotten soft plastic album pages a couple of years ago, but didn't immediately transfer all the coins into saflips. After procrastinating for many months all coins are in new holders; here's one that has just been removed from the 2X2 and rehoused in a saflip after having had a dip in acetone for a few hours. I know you can't make a silk purse from a sows ear, the coin being maybe a nice VF, but it's amazing how the PVC contamination was able to penetrate the mylar of the 2X2 and make for a crappy appearance as evidenced by the before and after pics. Have had to apply this process to all my coins but the hassle was worth it, unfortunately it didn't turn them into UNC :biggrin:

Thanks to the team at ACF I was able to embrace the knowledge and experiences of other members, and is just one of the many positives this forum brings to us all :good:

[trout]

Those crappy vinyl albums were responsible for ruining many of my pre decimal coins , I have since gone with the PP albums and pages and lately slabs :good:
I have always been "Leery" about using acetone on my copper coins as there is always a risk of them turning Purple.
It worked wonders on that 1925 coin though :yahoo:

[ausjack]

Nice one auto, slab it up

[Robster]

Lovely coin, did you  take any images without any coverings! :angel:

[autocoupler]

Lovely coin, did you  take any images without any coverings! :angel:

No Robster, both pics were taken with the covers on before and after their dip. Didn't think to take a pic with their cozzies off

[SeaCat]

I usually make them soak in white vinegar for 3-5 minutes + gentle soda bath, with fingers. This way there's no scratching and the result is stunning, for all coin types, especially silverish.
Naturally not doing that for all coins, only those that are hopeless otherwise... Discovered a couple of real gems this way, while before the clean-up they were only fit for trash bin.

[trout]

I find it a bit worrying that both NGC and PCGS has a restoration/cleaning service and yet they "boddybag" any coin cleaned by someone else.
I imagine that they are both quite expert at cleaning coins but it doesn't alter the fact that the coin has been cleaned after using this service and the coin ends up in a righteous slab :angel:

[robbiegal]

I usually make them soak in white vinegar for 3-5 minutes + gentle soda bath, with fingers. This way there's no scratching and the result is stunning, for all coin types, especially silverish.
Naturally not doing that for all coins, only those that are hopeless otherwise... Discovered a couple of real gems this way, while before the clean-up they were only fit for trash bin.

do you soak pennies in vinegar?
and welcome to the forum

[r9453]

do you soak pennies in vinegar?
and welcome to the forum

Yep, :welcome: to the forum. Olive oil and vinegar, makes a nice salad dressing for your verdigris.