Cleaning your finds

[sdobos]

So far ive found some coinage, nothing super old but exciting for me none the less. Anyways Ive been using an old tooth brush and some toothpaste as an abrasive to clean up my finds. Anyone have any other methods that work well?

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

As long as it doesn't have any numismatic value, I clean them using a tumbler. I run them about once per quarter. If a coin is rare, don't use anything other than dish soap and water on it. If a rare coin has been cleaned, the value drops dramatically.

 

[lastleg]

Cleaning finds can be fun but can be ruined unless you start with the least damaging fluids, tools and brushes. If it is iron
you can get aggresive to get all the rust off, then you can paint with a thinned black enamel to stop the rust. If you don't
like the result you can change the color later.

I like the dremel assortment of tools to brighten up finds. You have to experiment and learn hands-on.