clean up

[po-po 0]

whats the best thing for cleaning an old coin..it looks very rustic dated either 1799 or 1793..would just love to read it all.it was found during a muck shift.

[TomGoodheart 380]

Ideally you want to avoid rubbing the coin because then any dirt that's on it is likely to scratch the surface. Assuming it's pretty dirty/in poor condition, warm water won't do much harm. Soak for a while and see if that loosens the dirt a bit. You'll probably have to use something to shift it but start with a soft brush like a paintbrush rather than scrubbing at it.

If that has little effect than many people have found soaking in olive oil can help. It can take quite a while (weeks rather than hours) but the oil will loosen dirt and the very slight acidity helps a bit.

There are more complicated techniques like ultrasonic cleaners or electrolysis, but nothing that will leave a coin as it was when it was first lost I'm afraid. But if it's just a date and identifying what kind of coin it is, the above should do.

Or, if you identify the metal (silver or brass/copper), the size (diameter) and any lettering you can make out, (and ideally post a photo) it might be that someone here can tell you what it's likely to be .. particularly if it's British.

Good luck!

[Peckris 579]

whats the best thing for cleaning an old coin..it looks very rustic dated either 1799 or 1793..would just love to read it all.it was found during a muck shift.

It's probably a 1799 farthing or halfpenny of George III. If it's smaller than a 10 pence then it's the farthing, but it it's about the size of a 50p it's the halfpenny. It could even be a token dated 1793 but no official UK coins were minted with that date.

[Cerbera100 0]

On the subject of olive oil soaking, I have a dump farthing that has been 'sent down' for a couple of months already due to some verdigris... Three questions...

Firstly, how long should it be left for?

Second, will the verdigris just fall off or will I need to gently remove it?

Third, warm slightly soapy water and a bit of kitchen roll to de-oil it?!

[Coinery 1,012]

On the subject of olive oil soaking, I have a dump farthing that has been 'sent down' for a couple of months already due to some verdigris... Three questions...

Firstly, how long should it be left for?

Second, will the verdigris just fall off or will I need to gently remove it?

Third, warm slightly soapy water and a bit of kitchen roll to de-oil it?!

Do you know what? I'm going to academically research and write a chapter on this very issue, because it seems to me that nobody really has the answers to this most important, and repeatedly raised issue.

I have asked similar questions about cleaning, protecting, decontamination, etc. etc. and made little headway. Certainly the books I own never touch on the subject, except to say NEVER clean coins. I'm not sure why they don't continue with 'but if you don't, that fingerprint that you can't even see right now, will make what was once an eye-pleasing bust into a horror story!'

Got to be worth a few emails here and there, I'd say!

[Peter 615]

On the subject of olive oil soaking, I have a dump farthing that has been 'sent down' for a couple of months already due to some verdigris... Three questions...

Firstly, how long should it be left for?

Second, will the verdigris just fall off or will I need to gently remove it?

Third, warm slightly soapy water and a bit of kitchen roll to de-oil it?!

The verdigris will just leave a dark patch.It will need picking over with a softened(water) cocktail stick(very gently).

It will never make a good coin but it will improve it.

I use the olive oil strictly for unreadable Roman grots.Green milled coins I bury in odd places to confuse future finders

[moneyer12 0]

to clean gunk from a coin dip it in acetone, then rinse under clean water, this removes most of the crap,

if that fails try an orbital sander, and duraglit (only joking)

[Cerbera100 0]

Do you know what? I'm going to academically research and write a chapter on this very issue, because it seems to me that nobody really has the answers to this most important, and repeatedly raised issue.

I have asked similar questions about cleaning, protecting, decontamination, etc. etc. and made little headway. Certainly the books I own never touch on the subject, except to say NEVER clean coins. I'm not sure why they don't continue with 'but if you don't, that fingerprint that you can't even see right now, will make what was once an eye-pleasing bust into a horror story!'

Got to be worth a few emails here and there, I'd say!

Absolutely! I've heard various methods mentioned (olive oil, sulphur and vaseline, actone etc) but no real direction as to how to go about it!

The verdigris will just leave a dark patch.It will need picking over with a softened(water) cocktail stick(very gently).

It will never make a good coin but it will improve it.

I use the olive oil strictly for unreadable Roman grots.Green milled coins I bury in odd places to confuse future finders

Thanks Peter - the verd is on the rev, but the obv is lovely - which is why I bought it. As soon as I release it from solitary confinement, I'll get some pics up.

to clean gunk from a coin dip it in acetone, then rinse under clean water, this removes most of the crap,

if that fails try an orbital sander, and duraglit (only joking)

I've always thought Acetone would be a bit harsh on copper... Orbital sander on the other hand - why didnt I think of that?! That'll get rid of the verdigris in a flash!

[Peter 615]

I've tried Acetone(well nail varnish remover) and it doesn't seem to do much.Has anyone tried the Lindner coin cleaning kit?

The best results I have had in "tidying" a coin is with a softened tooth pick which can remove the gunk between/in lettering or the base of the relief.Just be very carefull.DO NOT USE THIS METHOD ON GOLD...IT's TOO SOFT.

[argentumandcoins 70]

On the subject of olive oil soaking, I have a dump farthing that has been 'sent down' for a couple of months already due to some verdigris... Three questions...

Firstly, how long should it be left for?

Second, will the verdigris just fall off or will I need to gently remove it?

Third, warm slightly soapy water and a bit of kitchen roll to de-oil it?!

Do you know what? I'm going to academically research and write a chapter on this very issue, because it seems to me that nobody really has the answers to this most important, and repeatedly raised issue.

I have asked similar questions about cleaning, protecting, decontamination, etc. etc. and made little headway. Certainly the books I own never touch on the subject, except to say NEVER clean coins. I'm not sure why they don't continue with 'but if you don't, that fingerprint that you can't even see right now, will make what was once an eye-pleasing bust into a horror story!'

Got to be worth a few emails here and there, I'd say!

I already have an academicaly written book called "cleaning and preservatio of coins and medals" it was published in 1976 by Durst and the number is ISBN 0-915262-03-7

Unfortunately it does not come with the doctorate that you need to understand it!!!

Edited February 13, 2012 by argentumandcoins

[Coinery 1,012]

On the subject of olive oil soaking, I have a dump farthing that has been 'sent down' for a couple of months already due to some verdigris... Three questions...

Firstly, how long should it be left for?

Second, will the verdigris just fall off or will I need to gently remove it?

Third, warm slightly soapy water and a bit of kitchen roll to de-oil it?!

Do you know what? I'm going to academically research and write a chapter on this very issue, because it seems to me that nobody really has the answers to this most important, and repeatedly raised issue.

I have asked similar questions about cleaning, protecting, decontamination, etc. etc. and made little headway. Certainly the books I own never touch on the subject, except to say NEVER clean coins. I'm not sure why they don't continue with 'but if you don't, that fingerprint that you can't even see right now, will make what was once an eye-pleasing bust into a horror story!'

Got to be worth a few emails here and there, I'd say!

I already have an academicaly written book called "cleaning and preservatio of coins and medals" it was published in 1976 by Durst and the number is ISBN 0-915262-03-7

Unfortunately it does not come with the doctorate that you need to understand it!!!

I'll be buying the first available copy! Thanks for that!

[Cerbera100 0]

Already done - got a copy for £10.80 inc postage off amazon!

[Coinery 1,012]

Already done - got a copy for £10.80 inc postage off amazon!

Very fast work, glad I'm not up against you with a snipe, or liking the same thing in an auction room! ;-) I scanned over amazon too, only the big buck books left on there that I could see! Good buy!

[Cerbera100 0]

The one I got was in 'Excellent' condition as well... the rest are only 'good', and one of those is nearly a ton!

[Peter 615]

The one I got was in 'Excellent' condition as well... the rest are only 'good', and one of those is nearly a ton!

I'm looking forward to a step by step guide in laymans terms for each metal composition.

[Cerbera100 0]

hmm... we'll see!

[moneyer12 0]

i've been using acetone for years after an american friend recommended it, i have used it on most types of coins including copper. it has removed the dirt but not the patina, i had one coin from sweden which had a black tar type substance on one part of the edge, as soon as it went in the acetone the substance dissolved without harming the coin.

[Coinery 1,012]

i've been using acetone for years after an american friend recommended it, i have used it on most types of coins including copper. it has removed the dirt but not the patina, i had one coin from sweden which had a black tar type substance on one part of the edge, as soon as it went in the acetone the substance dissolved without harming the coin.

What about mint lustre, has it had any negative effect on lustred coins? Have you ever come upon an example where it's had an 'odd' effect?

[Cerbera100 0]

I already have an academicaly written book called "cleaning and preservatio of coins and medals" it was published in 1976 by Durst and the number is ISBN 0-915262-03-7

Unfortunately it does not come with the doctorate that you need to understand it!!!

Sweet Mary mother of Jesus! For the first time since I graduated, I glad of my Chemistry degree! Everything from acid baths to re-plating!

And on the subject of verigris - two lines... "Rub with a fine cloth which has been treated with copper soap. Copper soap can be obtained from drugstores."

==============================

Having now googled 'copper soap', all I'm coming up with is a fungicide... I wonder if that is what they mean?!

Edited February 16, 2012 by Cerbera100

[Gary D 76]

I already have an academicaly written book called "cleaning and preservatio of coins and medals" it was published in 1976 by Durst and the number is ISBN 0-915262-03-7

Unfortunately it does not come with the doctorate that you need to understand it!!!

Sweet Mary mother of Jesus! For the first time since I graduated, I glad of my Chemistry degree! Everything from acid baths to re-plating!

And on the subject of verigris - two lines... "Rub with a fine cloth which has been treated with copper soap. Copper soap can be obtained from drugstores."

==============================

Having now googled 'copper soap', all I'm coming up with is a fungicide... I wonder if that is what they mean?!

Must be available on ebay

[Coinery 1,012]

I already have an academicaly written book called "cleaning and preservatio of coins and medals" it was published in 1976 by Durst and the number is ISBN 0-915262-03-7

Unfortunately it does not come with the doctorate that you need to understand it!!!

Sweet Mary mother of Jesus! For the first time since I graduated, I glad of my Chemistry degree! Everything from acid baths to re-plating!

And on the subject of verigris - two lines... "Rub with a fine cloth which has been treated with copper soap. Copper soap can be obtained from drugstores."

==============================

Having now googled 'copper soap', all I'm coming up with is a fungicide... I wonder if that is what they mean?!

Think I might just save myself £10.80 ;-)

Does it say anything at all about a neutral preserver for coins? I just can get my head around the acidic olive oil thing at the moment, there must be an even less acidic 'grease' we can 'smear' on our coins?

I've got my eye on a couple of books, I mean to get mine for £10.80 INCLUDING postage!

[Gollum 2]

I already have an academicaly written book called "cleaning and preservatio of coins and medals" it was published in 1976 by Durst and the number is ISBN 0-915262-03-7

Unfortunately it does not come with the doctorate that you need to understand it!!!

Sweet Mary mother of Jesus! For the first time since I graduated, I glad of my Chemistry degree! Everything from acid baths to re-plating!

And on the subject of verigris - two lines... "Rub with a fine cloth which has been treated with copper soap. Copper soap can be obtained from drugstores."

==============================

Having now googled 'copper soap', all I'm coming up with is a fungicide... I wonder if that is what they mean?!

Think I might just save myself £10.80 ;-)

Does it say anything at all about a neutral preserver for coins? I just can get my head around the acidic olive oil thing at the moment, there must be an even less acidic 'grease' we can 'smear' on our coins?

I've got my eye on a couple of books, I mean to get mine for £10.80 INCLUDING postage!

I wonder , what about copper ease for brake pads ?

[Peter 615]

This should sort it.

http://metaldetectingworld.com/cleaning_coin_p17_copper.shtml

[Peckris 579]

Does it say anything at all about a neutral preserver for coins? I just can get my head around the acidic olive oil thing at the moment, there must be an even less acidic 'grease' we can 'smear' on our coins?

I've got my eye on a couple of books, I mean to get mine for £10.80 INCLUDING postage!

Worry not. Although olive oil contains oleic acid, any acidic properties are neutralised by the other ingredients. You can see this when mixing olive oil with vinegar (very much an acid) - the two will not combine at all, and separate out into layers as does oil on water. On the other hand you can mix vinegar and lemon juice with no difficulty : acetic acid and citric acid.

[Coinery 1,012]

Does it say anything at all about a neutral preserver for coins? I just can get my head around the acidic olive oil thing at the moment, there must be an even less acidic 'grease' we can 'smear' on our coins?

I've got my eye on a couple of books, I mean to get mine for £10.80 INCLUDING postage!

Worry not. Although olive oil contains oleic acid, any acidic properties are neutralised by the other ingredients. You can see this when mixing olive oil with vinegar (very much an acid) - the two will not combine at all, and separate out into layers as does oil on water. On the other hand you can mix vinegar and lemon juice with no difficulty : acetic acid and citric acid.

I feel a bit happier, but what's the talk about coins getting darker over time when using olive oil? You really don't want that for your 1902 LT halfpenny that still retains a significant covering of only lightly toned lustre!

I ask this in complete ignorance...how long have I got if I start wiping my light-toned copper with extra virgin before sealing them up in 2x2's

Am I going to see a difference in my lifetime?

Why hasn't the perfect product been developed, given the financial outlays involved in coin collecting?