Advice for someone that does not detect? (Cleaning an OLD find)

[QuickQuestion]

Greetings!

I do not detect myself, and I apologize if there is a better section to post this in. Please feel free to merge/lock if need be.

Anyway, I recently allowed someone to detect on family property which is very old. They found 6 flat buttons all together from the 1700s. Two, I am told, are George Washington inaugural flat buttons. I allowed the person to keep 4 (including one of the GW buttons), and I kept two (the other GW and a regular one).

The one I allowed them to keep is in better shape than mine. But hey, nice guy and I never would have found them otherwise.

My question is - should I attempt to clean mine, or let it be? If I do clean it, what are some safe methods, or am I better off having a professional do it? I’ve tried to google on the topic but I didn’t come across anyone that specifically advertises that specific service.

I will try to add a picture, I’m posting on my phone so we’ll see if I can figure that out.

I appreciate any feedback

 

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[cudamark]

There's a whole section here on Tnet devoted to cleaning and preserving your finds. It's toward the bottom of the forums page.

 

[Iron Patch]

Based on what I see leave it. The issue is wear, not corrosion, and in that circumstance cleaning always makes it worse. You can't bring back detail that is already gone.

You could try a Qtip dipped in peroxide and see if that removes anything to reveal detail. It's a pretty safe starting point.