What is an easy process for cleaning old coins.

[flotsam]

Does anyone have an easy solution for cleaning up coins retrieved form salt or freshwater. That doesn't damage the coin?

 

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[stevemc]

If you are talking about modern coins, take the copper pennies out and have 2 piles, 1 of copper, the rest clad-quarters, dimes even nickels, as the copper will coat on the silver. Then in a plastic bucket put in a litle water and the coins. Then pour in a little Sno-Bowl toilet cleaner and swirl all the coins and liquid. Let it sit for a while then swirl. keep it moving and dont get any in your eyes, maybe wear goggles. Tilt to look at them, and when they look good, rinse in water. Dont use the same water/acid mix for pennies and silver. For Spanish silver cobs, we used to use muratic acid-pool store type, and use it half strength, then carefully swirl around real good. They would not get pitted as some people get their cobs very pitted using reverse electrolysis. They are either using a very strong electrolyte, or using too strong a current or both. Or Harbor Frieght sells a rock tumbler for real cheap. You put the coins in and some water, and a little bit of liquid soap and a handful of aquarium gravel, but not the real coarse type. Leave it on for a while and check ever 10 minutes or so. If it is not going fast give it some time. This is for modern only too.

 

[flotsam]

Thanks I'll give it a try.

 

[becket]

Just in case you didn't know (not that I am a coin expert, just collect here and there), if you find any coin of real value and plan to sell it on e-bay or wherever, don't clean it shiny, just get the surface dirt off. Totally cleaned coins are of little value to collectors, patina sells! Many horror stories of fine collections ruined by cleaning, unfortunately.
Otherwise, clean it nice and enjoy it!
HH Becket