Cleaning old coppers

[Detect History]

How do you all clean old coppers from start to finish?

 

[dustytrails123]

I tried the olive oil....doesnt work for crap...and i had them soaking for around 4-5 months and they came out the same as they went in just alittle darker

 

[Swartzie]

Rub them. Don't put any water on them at all or you'll lose all contrast. Drop them into boiling peroxide for 1/2 a minute or so. Then take it out and let it cool a bit and then rub it between your thumb and finger. This will clean off the raised parts and make them nice and dark which will contrast with the lighter background of the coin. See the pic below.

-Swartzie

 

[relicmeister]

I found an early draped bust large cent and did the boiling peroxide thing but it went very bad. When I found an IH penny I brushed the dirt off , then scrubbed it with scotchbrite. Then I applied lard and rubbed it in cotton-a completely dry process. This worked much better,and I'm confident I didn't lose any detail. The contrast was improved. What works for one copper may not work for another.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

boiling peroxide does work 50% of the times. just make sure u use low peroxide content!