Button cleaning

[Mduece]

Pound what I believe is a civil war era general service button. Not sure if I should try to clean it up or leave it alone. I've included a pic. Interested in opinions of what I should do & if cleaning it more isn't a bad idea what's the preferred method? Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[DigginDownUnder]

I'm no expert but I'd leave it as it is. It shows the button has history.
I really like my military buttons with the original old patina, I just give a wash to remove the loose dirt.

Sometimes a good soak in olive oil if really bad.

 

[gleaner1]

No expert here either but fresh lemon juice will knock off a lot of the crud just dont over do it

 

[sailoffwithme]

depends on what you want to do with it it will be more valuable dirty

I just cleaned half a pocket watch I found dates back to 1864, but that was the only way I could get to the serial numbers on the inside of the case.

I used vinegar and sea salt and that was a very powerful fast cleaning about 10 minutes it was all clean and could see the numbers. Just make sure you soak in clean water after to remove the solution.

 

[Mduece]

Thanks all. I think I'll keep it the way it is. Don't want to risk ruining it

 

[Iron Patch]

Thanks all. I think I'll keep it the way it is. Don't want to risk ruining it

Good choice because cleaning will make it worse not better, and that's not because "relics shouldn't be cleaned" ...it's because it will not make that button in particular better. The green patina is what highlights the design, take that away it's all brown and not as nice. A harsh cleaning and you probably make it pretty ugly.

 

[GatorBoy]

I agree completely and this might sound odd but I would personally wipe my thumb across my forehead to get some natural oil on my thumb and just rub lightly across the top of the design to bring it out.