Cleaning 100 year old lake coins (Silver) Trial run

[TheRingFinder]

I found these coins in the past month, they were all in a freshwater lake. I used hot water on tin foil with baking soda and salt. After that I used metal polish. It took about an hour for 5 coins. My results were inconclusive though - One walker came out great (1940), one looks terrible still (1920). The 1897 Barber quarter turned out pretty good though the standing liberty quarter hardly cleaned up at all.......very strange.

- Before cleaning
- Front after cleaning
- Back after cleaning

 

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[Loco-Digger]

Thanks for showing your results. I have yet to have much of a need to clean any silvers from my area. I have used the boiling peroxide method and gently scrubbed with a soft toothbrush and baking soda for the 2 crusty LCs I dug. I have also soaked many a copper in EVOO. Some pennies cleaned up nicely, but the old crusty LCs didn't fair as well. Oh well the LCs have character.

 

[TheRingFinder]

I am wondering if the amount of silver vs. other metals used is a reason for such a contrast in clean up? Anyone have an ideas?

 

[xr7ator]

I would doubt that since the "other" metals were the same in all your coins.

My guess is some were maybe protected by mud or ? and others were moving back and forth in the surf, exposed and therefore more corroded.

 

[Davers]

I Guess it really depends on the Coin (tho all should be of the same Alloy) & where it sat (Conditions) for many decades.

The only Silver Coin I have Pulled from a 1940's Man Made Lake , Was a Bleach White Mercury Dime.

You never know at -least the Barber came out pretty well.
Davers