Cleaning coins

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DYEDYE1
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Cleaning coins

#1 Unread post by DYEDYE1 »

I’ve watched videos on cleaning coins! basically don’t do it. However the grading services offer cleaning correct? So I guess my next question is if they clean the coin do they give it that kiss of death by listing it as cleaned?

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Re: Cleaning coins

#2 Unread post by BillyBob »

Seems like a great question. Cleaned is cleaned. Someone is out to make a buck at the collector's expence. Not that making a buck is wrong. Guess I should wait for the answer. :)

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Re: Cleaning coins

#3 Unread post by Earle42 »

Coin Cleaning 101 - How and What to do:

Definitions:
Cleaning - as defined in the coin hobby - is a process (chemical or physical) which will remove surface metal, alter the coin, and kill its collectors' value. In other words...BAD
Examples:
Chemical: Dipping in acid (eating the metal) to remove crud
Physical - rubbing a coin (polishing) to make it shiny and remove dirt.
Restoration - is removing surface contaminants without altering the metal of the coin.
Example: Spilling Pepsi on a coin - you wouldn't leave it there would you?

Restoration procedure (likely similar to what a grading company will do...except they charge money for it!)
Use the following list. This originated with BadThad on coincommunity.com. He is the inventor of Verdi-Care which is a product used for getting rid of verdigris safely on cents.
He has the chemical background as a professional that I have trusted this list for years with no problems.

Try the below in the following order:
1. Soap and water - do not rub/scrub.
Rinse well. PAT dry with cotton cloth (old T-shirt)
No results?

2. Acetone soak - maybe 10-30 seconds.
No reason to rinse it totally evaporates
No results?

3. Xylene soak - - maybe 10-30 seconds.
Rinse well. PAT dry with cotton cloth (old T-shirt)
No results?

All of the above do not alter the coin's metal in any way. Thus are safe to use as they just remove gunk.

4. Find/watch Daniel's videos on cleaning coins (dipping or MS70). While these technically ARE cleaning coins, when done properly (note that term) it is claimed no one can tell they have been cleaned, so the coins will pass a grading company scrutiny and therefore they do not lose value.
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

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Re: Cleaning coins

#4 Unread post by Coin Mule »

I was wondering when the Chem professor was going to show up, so in addition to, and in no way a contradiction.

Hey D, first, what we do at the house or place of business is, in the opinion of the TPG's cleaning, what the TPG's do is "conservation", you see the difference? Man the level of igernance, it's as if Ya'll are ignoraymooses.

It's funny, there are 99 elements that have been found or produced in quantities that we can perceive without special instruments, you know like hold in the hand, or have in a test tube etc. So there is nothing that the TPG's can use on a coin that we couldn't get our grubby paws on. But they act like they are Bob Lazar and are using element 115 to clean, Oh sorry, "Conserve" the coin or they are sending the coin to Cern to be put in the LHC.

So Silver,

There are 2 things that remove grease and dirt, and leave metal, like silver squeaky, and I mean squeaky clean. Citrus oil detergent and Enzymatic Oil and Grease removers. Both will "lift" the grease and dirt off of the metal without rubbing. Acetone and Lacquer thinner will sometimes remove finger prints, and other general greasiness, but if there is encrusted dirt, like around the outline of the devices, you may need to soak it in a detergent.

Now if you have a fingerprint from a women on your coin, hehehe this is going to get me in trouble, but women have a slightly lower PH in their skin than men, (more acidic). You might have to resort to ezest or some other product like it to remove a stubborn fingerprint. Generally these products are a very mild acid, that strips away a few molecules and atoms off the surface, of course do it too much, you will loose the "Luster" on UNC coins and definition on the devices. One thing to remember with these cleaners is that, sometimes whatever is on the coin that is detracting from its look, could be deep in the surface of the coin, which is why Daniel recommends waiting, I think a day or two, so you can see if any of the Funkiness comes back, if it does after a quick dipping, you are best to live with it. Of course on circulated coins, they just look cleaned.

Please remember that with silver some of the dark/black on the outline of the devices is a combination of Silver Sulfide, Silver Nitrate, Silver Oxide etc. So trying to get this off, makes a circulated coin look cleaned. Barber and Walking Halves seem to be the worst for this because many were stored in Sulfur infused bags. So generally, if it does not come off with a detergent or solvent, leave it alone.

Of course if you are cleaning Ooops there I go again, "conserving" copper. Then Texas A&M Center For Maritime Archeology and Conservation, has this advice; https://nautarch.tamu.edu/CRL/conservat ... File12.htm.

So say along with me Science, not Sorcery.
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Re: Cleaning coins

#5 Unread post by Earle42 »

Definition:
ignoraymooses
Sticking your fingers in your ears and singing, "La, la, la, la, la..." when a moose passes by that has the letter A painted on his side.

Just NEVER ingnoraycoinmule!
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?

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Re: Cleaning coins

#6 Unread post by DYEDYE1 »

You guys are awesome I really appreciate all your help. Bob lazar do we believe his story? Lol

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Re: Cleaning coins

#7 Unread post by Paul »

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Re: Cleaning coins

#8 Unread post by sprucehillwest »

]Hi,
I have some old coins that have some kind of glue on them. I read an article that coins can be soaked in hydro peroxide for overnight to clean coins. I wonder do that includes old silver coins? I'm not sure the best way to clean coin, with out messing up the fatina on the coin.
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Re: Cleaning coins

#9 Unread post by Earle42 »

Scroll up a few posts and read everything you need to know about how to conserve a coin. Note the info starts with a (very) highlighted "Coin Cleaning 101 - How and What to do." The next post by the famous CoinMule will add even more legitimate wisdom to the means and methods...

...as well as telling you to ignore certain tattooed mooses.

If the above methods do not work...then its likely the coin grading companies would not do it either.
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?

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Re: Cleaning coins

#10 Unread post by Kanlys »

I personally believe that in such things the best solution is to turn to specialists who know how to do this but do not do it alone because you will not be able to do so qualitatively, but it is clear that everyone has the right to their opinion and that everyone chooses to do what he wants. Personally, when I had something to solve related to this topic, I resorted to https://niftytilecleaning.com.au/ because I understood that on my own I will lose a lot of time and it will not be so high quality, so I'm really not sorry about the choices I made.

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Re: Cleaning coins

#11 Unread post by sprucehillwest »

Thank you all at Coin help U community, for your advice on cleaning silver coins.
I'm not sure about using chemicals.

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Re: Cleaning coins

#12 Unread post by sprucehillwest »

Can coins be cleaned with denatured alcohol?

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Re: Cleaning coins

#13 Unread post by Earle42 »

It should not harm the metal itself. But acetone generally will remove things like fingerprint oils and the alcohol may not.
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?

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