Advice for a Newbie???

[Pumper]

I have only been detecting for a month and have so many questions and so much to learn but my first question I hope someone can help me with is...should I..or should I not...try to clean up old coins? I have heard both ways. As I said I have only been doing this a month and already have an 1883 V Nickel, and a couple other nice finds....any help out there? What is peroxide boiling?

 

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[UncleVinnys]

First advice . . . STOP!
If you are not sure, and you can ruin the coins by cleaning them, then
just hold off until you fill in the missing info.

What I do is just a quick simple wash with warm water to get the loose
dirt off, then you can go back later and sort them into the ones
you want to really clean up.

Just be sure you don't do anything too harsh that will scratch them.

That said, MOST coins you can clean, and it won't diminish their (already low) value.
If you think you have a rare, valuable, or unusual coin, it is better to just set it aside
until you can find out its value.

If you DO decide to clean them, sort by metal type, then use vinegar and
a non-abrasive brush to clean them, rinse, then dry with alcohol.

My 2-cents.

 

[Pepper2004]

Pumper, I carry a small medicine bottle with me on my hunts. I have it half full of water and dish detergent. I drop all my really dirty coins into it. I give it a shake every now and then to help move the coins around so the others get a bath.
Many times I let them soak over night. UncleVinny's gave you some good advice.

HH,
Pepper

 

[Bridge End Farm]

yeap Vinny's advise is one to follow, I like the soap and water in a bottle idea to help clean them as your hunting, Thanks Pepper

 

[shanegalang]

Welcome to Tnet. You will find answers to ALL your coin and metal detecting questions here! Yes if a coin has "value" you dont want to clean it other than with warm water and soap like vinny said! What detector are you using?

 

[JC dig's]

All I can tell you is I ruined the only large cent that I have found by cleaning it to harshly and also all but destroyed a great seal button. I'm afraid to clean anything now oh well a tleast I learned something from it. If I do anything I just soak stuff over night in water and dish washing liquid.

 

[Pumper]

Thank you all for the info...it's pretty much what I thought. I have been detecting for about a month now and have found alot of things...but nothing really valuable yet. I have that nickel...and about 30 dollars in other coins...including a 1776 - 1976 Kennedy Half Dollar I found today. I have 2 rings so far as well as 2 toe rings...3 or 4 ear rings .. 4 necklace pendants..one chain... some Hot Wheels....tools...silver ware...one pocket knife..and believe it or not ..a CONDOM...evidently they are wrapped in foil and some poor guy didnt have as much fun as he originally had planned. Now if I learn how to post and make comments on here I will be a happy man. Again Thank You All for your help. Oh..someone wanted to know what detector I use...its a Tesoro Lobo Super Traq and my son in law went out with me today on his very first hunt using his brand new MineLab Explorer SE...watch for questions from my daughter.. she is Relic Rookie.

 

[imafishingnutt]

Older coins that have collector value i wouldnt clean unless you know how to do it without hurting the value.

as for commen clad no one cares and the bank wont take it unless you clean it anyway.
and I use a rock tumbler....with sand.

 

[(())RandY(())]

I have only been detecting for a month and have so many questions and so much to learn but my first question I hope someone can help me with is...should I..or should I not...try to clean up old coins? I have heard both ways. As I said I have only been doing this a month and already have an 1883 V Nickel, and a couple other nice finds....any help out there? What is peroxide boiling?
[/quote ..make sure if you soak the coins keep copper away from the silver..or they all will have a copper look ...good thing the ones i had were clad/ newer coins

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Re: Cleaning Buttons...Advice needed

Funny you should ask, because I took a chance cleaning a Liberty Nickel yesterday. I wanted to see if I could remove the reddish oxidation on a coin with good detail. Someone recommended vinegar and salt. I am very sorry I tried it. Even the short time I soaked it was enough to corrode the coin and remove the detail that was there before. So my advice is use caution before you proceed. Don't be afraid to post a picture and ask for advice.

Here is the before and after:

 

[panzermeyer]

Just give em a wash with some soft soap and hot water.Thats good enough.hh...Panz

 

[imafishingnutt]

Re: Cleaning Buttons...Advice needed

Funny you should ask, because I took a chance cleaning a Liberty Nickel yesterday. I wanted to see if I could remove the reddish oxidation on a coin with good detail. Someone recommended vinegar and salt. I am very sorry I tried it. Even the short time I soaked it was enough to corrode the coin and remove the detail that was there before. So my advice is use caution before you proceed. Don't be afraid to post a picture and ask for advice.

Here is the before and after:

book value of coin was 12 to 18 dollars but in that shape i fear not.
never the less still a good find.

 

[SwampHunter]

And if you find more coins do not rub them in between your fingers to get the dirt off so you can see the date. I ruined a great 1911 dime this way.