Re: Cleaning Coins

[onpoint]

Hello all,

I am new to metal detecting and would like to know the best was to clean the coin$ I have found so far,
Any help would be greatly accepted.

Thanks Clinton.

 

[jbeverts]

I've used virgin olive oil. It seems to work pretty well.

 

[onpoint]

I noticed other people talking about Electrolysis have you had any dealings with this kind of cleaning ? As I'm keen to learn how this type of coin cleaning work's.

 

[Idaho-Marke]

n/t

 

[digitrich]

First off the really valuable coins, cleaning is a NO GO. Don't do it because you can destroy their value. On copper coins, peroxide heated in a glass pan on the stove till boiling (barely). Set your coins on tooth picks so they don't lay flat on the bottom of the pan. Soak em like two minutes, take them out and rub with a Q-tip dipped in the peroxide and repeat. Don't get the heat too high or your coins will come out looking dull and dry. Works on nickels too, haven't tried silver as I am more respectful to them. I think I did once and the coin came out "blued". After you get your copper clean, many guys put wax on them to protect them and make them shine. I DON'T suggest soaking in olive oil because the copper absorbs the oil and for a long time afterward it leaks out of the coin. I have a couple hundred Indians I made that mistake with, however, I was able to use the heated peroxide to take some of the oil out of them. As with all cleaning methods, start with your worthless coins first and work your way to the better ones, that way you don't destroy a valuable find. If you search for posts from Don in south Jersey under cleaning coins< he posted some really good info on the Find Mall Explorer form. Good luck to you.

 

[vlad]

First make up a solution of water and baking soda. Attach by some device like a paper-clip or alligator clip the NEGATIVE wire to the object to be cleaned; attach the + wire to another piece of metal. I use a 9v battery for this as you want the MINIMUM amount of action to occur. If you need to clean the whole coin then submerse it entirely; at some point you may want to change the side facing
the + metal. If only a small area needs to be cleaned, like an edge for example, then only submerse that portion. You need to constantly monitor the coin to decide when you feel enough cleaning has occurred because you are ALTERING the coin.
Always change solution between coins. NEVER use an auto battery charger-this should be reserved for projectiles.
After cleaning rinse with water and blot with a soft cloth, never use paper as it can scratch.
[ And the worst thing you can do is rub the dirt off of a coin with your thumb that you have just dug- that is equal to using sandpaper.]
( To remove olive oil use carburetor cleaner spray.)

 

[onpoint]

I made one up using a 10V modem power supply unit ( crock clip's on + and - ) + to coin and - to a spoon, salt lemon juice and water in a clear glass, I have been experimenting with a couple of coins needing different amount of cleaning and surprised how much crud has comes off them !

 

[onpoint]

My mistake - to coin and + to spoon........