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cleaning coins
- Thread starter pan
- Start date
There are plans on the internet for making your own electrolysis machine. I made one and it works well for iron, etc.
Whatever you do, do not clean silver coins (or any potentially valuable coins for that matter) in an electrolysis cleaner. I have used it for coins that are past hope and valueless, just for the ease of reading dates or identifying them.
I won't go into cleaning methods because that would take a whole forum with a lot of secret recipes.
Soap and water only for valuable coins!
HH
Jonathan (FL)
Whatever you do, do not clean silver coins (or any potentially valuable coins for that matter) in an electrolysis cleaner. I have used it for coins that are past hope and valueless, just for the ease of reading dates or identifying them.
I won't go into cleaning methods because that would take a whole forum with a lot of secret recipes.
Soap and water only for valuable coins!
HH
Jonathan (FL)
Some consider my methods heresy but here goes.
I always clean silver with baking soda and water, rub the coins with damp fingers. They come out sparkling clean. Some say it destroys the "patina". I figure that when my heirs sell the coins piecemeal the patina will be back. In the meantime, I like shiny silver. I use the same technique for pennies. It can get a little discolored, but for me, it cleans 'em up nice. Even my best pennies are usually worth 1-50 cents so what the heck.
Non-silver nickels: dab some dish soap on it for lubricant and scrub vigorously with a wire brush. I wear a leather glove so my fingers don't get poked. I don't care how much brown gunk it has, it comes out looking like metal, not rust. Don't try this with silver or pennies. you lose all detail. But on nickels, it seems like the gunk is on top. Works for me.
I've heard of boiling in olive oil, and electrolysis techniques. Haven't had time, but I don't waste time on clad coins. That leaves silver, nickels, and pennies, as described above.
I always clean silver with baking soda and water, rub the coins with damp fingers. They come out sparkling clean. Some say it destroys the "patina". I figure that when my heirs sell the coins piecemeal the patina will be back. In the meantime, I like shiny silver. I use the same technique for pennies. It can get a little discolored, but for me, it cleans 'em up nice. Even my best pennies are usually worth 1-50 cents so what the heck.
Non-silver nickels: dab some dish soap on it for lubricant and scrub vigorously with a wire brush. I wear a leather glove so my fingers don't get poked. I don't care how much brown gunk it has, it comes out looking like metal, not rust. Don't try this with silver or pennies. you lose all detail. But on nickels, it seems like the gunk is on top. Works for me.
I've heard of boiling in olive oil, and electrolysis techniques. Haven't had time, but I don't waste time on clad coins. That leaves silver, nickels, and pennies, as described above.
I was in the jewelry business many years ago and had access to an industrial ultrasonic cleaner ( and a high pressure steam cleaner ) and it never had the means to clean old corroded or encrusted coins. Is it possible that you left the dime in way too long or unattended? It's my understanding that you have to keep an eye on items as they are being "cooked".
therick
therick
Absolutely I left it in too long. That's why I joked about leaving your coins "and be back in a few minutes." It is easy to do!
But I still stand by not using electrolysis on any potentially valuable coin. It will without a doubt, unequivocally, and certainly lower the value. Probably by a considerable amount.
Again, I still clean some of my coins this way for my own benefit without regards to value.
Jonathan
But I still stand by not using electrolysis on any potentially valuable coin. It will without a doubt, unequivocally, and certainly lower the value. Probably by a considerable amount.
Again, I still clean some of my coins this way for my own benefit without regards to value.
Jonathan
POPPET HEAD
New member
I would like to know where my post about olive oil went to ??? can someone enlighten me ? , it has been moderated out for some reason .
Paul.
Paul.
Find a valuable coin leave as is and leave the cleaning to the pro's as you will only devalue..
Electrolysis seems to work well on silver coins and rusty relics, do keep an eye on them as they can be literally eaten away. Don't work well on copper coins.
Electrolysis unit can be made rather cheaply with radio shack parts. Many and vaied ways to clean coins if you search the web and tumblers using the right tumbling ingredients do a great job on clad, but only tumble the same type coin at one time..
Electrolysis seems to work well on silver coins and rusty relics, do keep an eye on them as they can be literally eaten away. Don't work well on copper coins.
Electrolysis unit can be made rather cheaply with radio shack parts. Many and vaied ways to clean coins if you search the web and tumblers using the right tumbling ingredients do a great job on clad, but only tumble the same type coin at one time..