is it ok to clean coins

[midwest]

while reading these forums it sems as though there is this thing about coin cleaning .some people do it.now are there techniques and certain products that can be used coreectly that won't get the coin bodybagged ?Also recomendations on what to do with a circulated indian cent with a black look in some areas that looks just as natural as the brown on the rest of the coin.

[Wihlborg]

while reading these forums it sems as though there is this thing about coin cleaning

 

There is a very good reason for people to warn against cleaning coins, and that is because more coins have probably been ruined by someone trying to clean them than due to any other reason.

 

ANY method that can be used to clean coins has a degree of risk that the coin will be damaged. The risk can be as high as 100% depending upon the method used. For instance, ANY rubbing of a coins surface with a cloth, polish, etc. will impart hairlines and or ware to the coins surface. It will also damage the coins natural luster. This type of damage will be instantly noticeable to an experienced collector or dealer and could affect a coins value dramatically.

 

On the low end of the scale, even something as seemingly simple as a quick dip can have unwanted consequences if not done correctly. Dipping can damage a coins luster if the dipping solution is too strong, or if the coin is left in the solution a little too long. Even if no damage is noticed immediately after the dip, a coin can develop unsightly toning due to dip residue left on the coins surfaces from an improper rinsing after the dip.

 

In my opinion, unless someone is very experienced in how to correctly use the various cleaning methods they should NOT try to clean their coins.

 

JMHO

 

John

[TomB]

Don't clean coins.

 

If there is something on the surface of your coin that looks as though it may be damaging the coin then I would suggest that you take the piece to an experienced numismatist and ask if there is anything that can be done. Other than that, most folks who are determined to clean their coins end up losing 90% or more of their value and the coin is irreversibly damaged.

[midwest]

I got the response I thought I would.Trust me any coin that has any value that I need some type of conserving is sent to NCS.However i'm also trying to learn about the techniques of coin cleaning kind of little tips and tricks things.

[James_OldeTowne]

There are two processes that can clean a coin: chemical and mechanical. Both processes result in a mechanical effect, which is movement of molecules at a coin's surface. NO method is risk-free, and ALL cause damage to one degree or another. A small degree of damage is acceptable if it cannot be readily detected, but too much damage results in a bodybag.

 

Chemical cleaning (dipping) is considered the least risky cleaning method, as it doesn't move metal, but rather REmoves metal. Oxidized metal molecules (tarnish) at the coin's surface are removed, revealing a layer of untarnished metal. If very few tarnish molecules are removed, the impact on the coin is very small, and the damage is not really detectable, so this cleaning method shouldn't get bodybagged. But dip a coin too many times, and too many molecules are removed, with the cumulative damage resulting in a bodybag (or at least a reduced grade).

 

Conceptually, mechanical cleaning, such as with a brush, cloth, or polish, moves molecules around, displacing and stripping the molecules and tarnish much more violently than does dipping. It is very easy to perform enough mechanical damage to a coin that it's easily detectable, resulting in a bodybag. The only mechanical method I've ever used - and this is still VERY RISKY - is to use a solution of baking soda and water diluted to a thin paste, and very gently rub off the offending problem. An excellent example of this is to remove hardened residue or spots from an otherwise good coin. But I emphasize that this is RISKY, as is any mechanical cleaning method.

 

I would urge you to refrain from any other type of mechanical cleaning IF you care about the coin.

 

Ultimately, it's nobody's business but yours whether you clean your coins, and as long as you intend to keep them, it's definitely nobody's business. But if you hope you'll ever be able to sell your coins for any significant value, beware of the serious consequences. I've seen otherwise impressive collections in total ruins from ill-advised cleaning.

 

Good luck!

 

James

[midwest]

Thanks for the information it is very helpful.One little note though I am not planning on doing any cleaning on anyhting that is of any value.Although I did have my eye on my ms71 1909-s VDB lincoln cent but now I guess I wont

[clackamas-migration]

I think there are 3 degrees of cleaning. Most newbies do the first one and rub, polish,etc and this as you well know should not be done. The second is a dip that casues a chemical reaction, this does damage the coin but it can be controlled to limit the damage so that even experts can not tell if it has been done only once properly and rinsed. the third degree, is using something that does not actually react with any metal and simply removes surface contaminates (acetone or a non acid organic solvent)

 

Copper is a different beast than silver. Dip should never be used on copper, it will ruin a coin fast. Acetone will not react with any metal and can be used to clean a coin with little risk to non copper coins, and minimal risk to copper. I have had success with acetone on copper from BU coins removing roll dust and dirt, however I have had undesired results as well. If you have a BU copper with PL surfaces you can get stuff that looks like a high water mark on in the fields. Acetone will also redeposit dissolved chemicals so I use a 3 bath system, 1 for the rough stuff, a second to get the redeposited stuff and a third clean bath that I change often. I do this for coins I want to submit and are just a little dirty. I can't speak for circ coins since I never deal with them other than spending them. My 65RB 09-S VDB I think would benefit from a bath but I don't have the stones to do it. I like MS70 as well and use it far more often than a dip.

[James_OldeTowne]

I have found Blue Ribbon to be an excellent way to curate coins, especially those with PVC. Like any cleaning method, it should be used with extreme caution and only with a judicious purpose. I don't believe any cleaning method really "improves" a coin, but when I use Blue Ribbon, that isn't my objective. Rather, it's a way to remove contaminants and protect the coin.

 

Blue Ribbon will remove gunk and grease from copper, but it leaves a thin film behind that some people like, and others don't care for much. I don't mind it, as long as I know how it got there, and would always reveal the fact that a coin has had Blue Ribbon applied.

 

I've also used acetone, and agree that it's another safe way to curate a coin without cleaning it. But the smell of acetone makes me nauseous, whereas Blue Ribbon has very little odor. Acetone is about the only way I know of to safely remove glue or glue-like substances though.

 

James

[leprecoin]

mmm, i did mess with cleaning while ago....(used all sort of diff CHEAP world coins and some silver etc, was experimanting diff methods untill i got tired of it... not so soon after my gf at the time steped on a coin i just tourched and left to "dry" :-)

 

to your question....

 

***Also recomendations on what to do with a circulated indian cent with a black look in some areas that looks just as natural as the brown on the rest of the coin****

 

i dont have any experiance with indian cent, but i belive is cupper or bronse or one of those red metals..

good luck with those.... deeping it will most likely screw up the surface so bad you could sharp your nails on it after...

 

and if you deep it for just a lil sec and wash it really quick.... mmm.... theres no way back. it will get to be red again.... but is not the red of a mint coin... another thing is.... most likly it will change color again sooner or later.

 

and the "black" on the surface.... will stay dark and ugly after deeping it as well..

it will just show up more over orange background :-).

 

precious metal are sometime ok w/ RIGHT deeping i would think, but you always take a risk, dont forget is never pure silver/gold.

 

i would go by the ol' saying.... it is what it is. and dont try to change it.

 

In general....

ACETONE is your only friend, and is ALMOST safe, and can help w/ oils, fingerprint, pvc, bad enviroment damage etc,

 

is also NOT completely safe, i had one coin ruin this way and since then i stoped even doing this for similar coins.

 

 

so like you already mentioned yourself ... if is worthy and you concern about it....

send it to ncs.

if is a cheap coin... sell it as is.