HOW I RUINED A GOOD FIND.....

[cabinfever11]

About 15 years ago I was given permission to MD in the yard of a house built in 1889. The yard had never been detected! One find was a brass-like commemorative coin struck in 1906 by a small mountain town to commemorate a huge event of that era. It was perfect in detail! As an ignorant newbie I thought I should remove all that dark brown patina so it would shine like a new penny. So I got my can of brasso and a rag and proceeded to spend every evening for the better part of a week "shining" my find until I noticed that the details weren't nearly as sharp as they once were and I'd effectively removed some of the more intricate detail. I effectively ruined the find! Now, a gentle washing to remove dirt - and that's it. Don't make my mistake. 'fever

 

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[Jason in Enid]

Yep, if it has any collector value, nothing more than water and MAYBE a soft toothbrush.

Maybe your post will save another newbie from the same mistake.

 

[rocky raccoon]

man that story will make you pucker

 

[paramedic]

Never, Never, Never clean a coin. I have distilled water. I place my coin(s) in the water, then remove them with out wiping or scrubbing them. Allowing them to dry completely. Handle them with cotton coin gloves.

 

[lastleg]

That might be good advise for a key date coin but let's face it. They are scarce as hen's teeth. An ugly coin will just stay ugly unless you know how to
clean coins with non-corrosive methods.

 

[fistfulladirt]

I clean a lot of my coins. Never a key date or valuble find tho. I have no plans of selling any. If it makes you happy, clean away!

 

[Michigan Badger]

About 15 years ago I was given permission to MD in the yard of a house built in 1889. The yard had never been detected! One find was a brass-like commemorative coin struck in 1906 by a small mountain town to commemorate a huge event of that era. It was perfect in detail! As an ignorant newbie I thought I should remove all that dark brown patina so it would shine like a new penny. So I got my can of brasso and a rag and proceeded to spend every evening for the better part of a week "shining" my find until I noticed that the details weren't nearly as sharp as they once were and I'd effectively removed some of the more intricate detail. I effectively ruined the find! Now, a gentle washing to remove dirt - and that's it. Don't make my mistake. 'fever

Excellent post! So true!

It took me longer than you to learn this lesson. I feel a little sick inside every time I think of the finds I ruined by over cleaning. Once that aged patina is gone the find is greatly reduced in desirability. That patina is nature's work of art.

 

[silversnacher]

Thank you and sorry your thing got wrecked

 

[nsdq]

dang what was i thinking i found a bell and went to brush the dirt off and poof it fell in to million bits every where waaaaaa waaaaaaa i lernt the hard way, goood post hope it does someone as time goes on we make a foul up hapy hutinn