coin cleaning

[nhartman2]

I'm new to treasure hunting, and I want to know the best methods for cleaning coins. What is the best way to clean a coin without causing further damage? Thanks.

 

[enamel7]

Don't!

 

[lastleg]

Oh let him clean one and see how it looks. This forum has post after post about cleaning coins. Just
scroll down and read the advise. Welcome to TNet.

 

[cudamark]

I'm new to treasure hunting, and I want to know the best methods for cleaning coins. What is the best way to clean a coin without causing further damage? Thanks.

Welcome to Tnet! There is a whole section on cleaning and preserving finds. Basically, if it's valuable, you don't want to do anything harsh that will effect the value. Soap and water, maybe some acetone and/or olive oil is about all you should do. If they're not valuable, there are all kinds of methods to make them look shiny again.

 

[fistfulladirt]

I know diggers that buff their silver to a gleaming shine.
I know others that leave the coin encrusted with dirt.
Different strokes.

Personally, I've tried all the methods (hot peroxide baths and olive oil soaks can ruin a decent coin, never again for me). Now, if it's anything, a gentle rinse with water.

 

[nhartman2]

Thanks! So far, baking soda works best for clad.

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

This has been gone over many times, But i have the best way to clean my clad was with a tumbler, and a little powered Dish detergent...and a little bit of oil so that the tumbler doesnt get corroded...Other than that , i just keep most my coins as is from the ground after i rinse them off in water

 

[nhartman2]

I think you are dead right. Anything valuable I will leave as is.

 

[Dozer D]

Usually after I accumulate some silver dimes I would soak them for about two days of mild solution of Dawn liquid soap & hot water in a Rx bottle, shake every now & then, rinse several times, pat dry with paper towel/tissue. The Dawn will dissolve a lot of the oily junk that's on coins. They used Dawn to clean up the oil spill from the Val-Dez oil spill on water fowl back in the late '80's, and did the trick. So I also use it on coins. It works.

 

[jerseyben]

Usually after I accumulate some silver dimes I would soak them for about two days of mild solution of Dawn liquid soap & hot water in a Rx bottle, shake every now & then, rinse several times, pat dry with paper towel/tissue. The Dawn will dissolve a lot of the oily junk that's on coins. They used Dawn to clean up the oil spill from the Val-Dez oil spill on water fowl back in the late '80's, and did the trick. So I also use it on coins. It works.

Quicker and safer to just use acetone.

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

Just curious what gunk gets stuck on Silver coins that need chemicals and soaked for days? I get them where they are black, and just rub them with my fingers under water and they are cleaned up...I dont try to polish them or anything, just make them look silver again.

the ones i get with tar or cement on, i just scrub with baking soda and most of it comes off.

it seems like alot of people spend ALOT of time and effort to clean somethign that should be pretty easy to clean without soaking or chemicals

 

[Higgy]

Just curious what gunk gets stuck on Silver coins that need chemicals and soaked for days? I get them where they are black, and just rub them with my fingers under water and they are cleaned up...I dont try to polish them or anything, just make them look silver again.

the ones i get with tar or cement on, i just scrub with baking soda and most of it comes off.

it seems like alot of people spend ALOT of time and effort to clean somethign that should be pretty easy to clean without soaking or chemicals

D-n-D, you said that you use a tumbler... I was thinking that using a tumbler with walnut shell media would be a good way to clean zincolns that are rather cruddy and may not go through the coin-counter. Do you think that this is a good idea?

 

[jerseyben]

D-n-D, you said that you use a tumbler... I was thinking that using a tumbler with walnut shell media would be a good way to clean zincolns that are rather cruddy and may not go through the coin-counter. Do you think that this is a good idea?

In all honesty, does it really matter? Just try it and see how it comes out. If your goal is just to get them clean enough to go through the coin counter then I would imagine any method of cleaning would suffice.

 

[Higgy]

I guess it really doesn't matter.

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

D-n-D, you said that you use a tumbler... I was thinking that using a tumbler with walnut shell media would be a good way to clean zincolns that are rather cruddy and may not go through the coin-counter. Do you think that this is a good idea?

When it comes to Wheats and Clad, I dont use any media, just cheap dishwasher soap, and a little oil. the cheapest way is the best way for clad. I only use the oil to protect my metal pieces on the tumbler. They always vary of being cruddy and some clean, I have tried to to clean them by hand good, but ended up jamming a coinstar and pissed off the lady that had to fix it.

Tumbler is easy because i can set it up, and after 4-5 beers...its ready to go!

I just leave my Silver alone, and my Buffs/Vnicks and IH's, I soak in oil...very surprised that it works, but it does

 

[cudamark]

Just curious what gunk gets stuck on Silver coins that need chemicals and soaked for days? I get them where they are black, and just rub them with my fingers under water and they are cleaned up...I dont try to polish them or anything, just make them look silver again.

the ones i get with tar or cement on, i just scrub with baking soda and most of it comes off.

it seems like alot of people spend ALOT of time and effort to clean somethign that should be pretty easy to clean without soaking or chemicals

A lot will depend on where you find the coin. In parks where they use lots of fertilizer or at the beach, they can get pretty crusty, so crusty that water or soap and water just won't get the job done. Crusty clad, just tumble them. I use powdered laundry soap, vinegar, and gravel. I'm not going to waste more money on something just going through a Coinstar. Wheats, silver, jewelry, will depend on how bad they're encrusted. I always start with soap and water, then acetone if it looks like something that will dissolve. I then move on to vinegar bath in an aluminum pan. That usually will do the trick on most everything. If not, I go to electrolysis. I rub them with baking soda and rinse after those procedures. Rare/valuable coins or jewelry I take on an individual basis depending on how valuable and how bad the deposits looks.