Cleaning the coins that I have found

[DiggerGal]

Hello everyone!
I have been searching on the forums on cleaning finds but unsuccessful.
I have noticed the actual dig photos then a "Cleaned" photo.
Looking for best practices all around on Silver,Copper and Zinc?
I understand that cleaning some rare coins could diminish the value, so I am aware that cleaning should be mild to moderate at best.
I look to your suggestions!
Thanks!

 

[pong12211]

I would make sure before cleaning any coin just what it is before cleaning it. That being said dawn dish soap and silver cleaner for and silver coins dug up. Ketchup works pretty good too.

 

[CladGrabber]

My recommendations for non rare coins:
On silver gently remove all dirt and crust with dawn dish soap and water then follow with a magic eraser to put the shine on.
For nickles apple cider vinegar and peroxide and a 24 hour soak or steel wool,
Nickle is a very hard alloy and sos pad won't scratch it.
Keep in mind these methods are for non rare coins and I am not responsible for undesired results.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

1) For copper & brass: Amonia (or "sudzy amonia")

2) For relicky type things and also for copper/brass: a petri dish of hydrogen peroxide, brought to a 15 or 20 second boil in your microwave. Remove boiling peroxide, drop your item in. Wait about 30 seconds. Remove and pick with a wood toothpick as necessary. Repeat process w/new solution as necessary.

3) For nickels: naval jelly

4) For silver: a product called "Ezest".

 

[Darth Walker]

If a rare coin is found but very dirty what di you do?

 

[Kamorle]

I was watching a old timer on YouTube and he used a vinegar bath, his coins looked good!

 

[James/Texas]

For common clad use a rock tumbler. A Lortone or Thumbler are great tumblers. Cover the coins with vinegar and add a couple teaspoons of table salt. Tumble for between 3/4 and 1 hr. Remove the coins and rinse well with tap water. You will be surprised at just how nice the coins will come out. Oh, be SURE to keep the pennies separate from the other clad. A single penny can cause all the other clad to come out pink.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

If a rare coin is found but very dirty what di you do?

I use mineral oil to clean large cents and IHC's. If they're really toasted, I use a warm hydrogen peroxide bath. Never use water on old copper coins!

As for silver coins, I use Wright's brass polish on common silver coins, but just use dish soap and water on anything with a relatively low mintage (under 10 million).