Cleaning coins via Electrolysis

[Jolly Jim]

After about a minute of electrolysis using a 12 volt, 1200 mA cleaning set-up, this previously cruddy quarter turned out slightly tarnished. I continued to let it fizz for another minute and was impressed at how clean it turned out. Does prolonged electrolysis wear away at the metal? Also, does silver react differently than copper? I was always told that cleaning reduces value. How does cleaning using electrolysis apply? I'm also seeing better results using a concentration of lemon juice and salt. It's been fun experimenting with with this technique and I would appreciate some tips from the experts out there!! Thanks!

 

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[CobLover]

After about a minute of electrolysis using a 12 volt, 1200 mA cleaning set-up, this previously cruddy quarter turned out slightly tarnished. I continued to let it fizz for another minute and was impressed at how clean it turned out. Does prolonged electrolysis wear away at the metal? Also, does silver react differently than copper? I was always told that cleaning reduces value. How does cleaning using electrolysis apply? I'm also seeing better results using a concentration of lemon juice and salt. It's been fun experimenting with with this technique and I would appreciate some tips from the experts out there!! Thanks!

Jim I don't wish to sound like I'm an authority because I'm not. I'm just an average guy who has been cleaning coins for about 30 years as a hobby. Mostly I've cleaned my detector finds.

1st, nice quarter!
You wrote: "Does prolonged electrolysis wear away at the metal?"

I've had coins break apart to ashes after using electrolysis on them. I had the worst time with thin silver coins from shipwrecks. Also, thin ancient coins can break in pieces if left in the electrolysis bath too long.

See, electrolysis reveals the true condition of the object being cleaned. I once took the nose right off Caesar because I left the coin in too long. All buried objects suffer from corrosive action that is unseen to the naked eye. A coin can look smooth to the eye but be terribly pitted and the electrolysis treatment will discover this if the item is treated too long.

When a coin is buried for 100 years, its surface is corrupted far worse than the same coin type never buried. The eye may not see this pitting because the pits are covered up by a colorful corrosion shell (patina). Electrolysis rips this patina from the pits hidden under it and makes the coin look porous and grainy. It can also remove corrosion that heretofore made the details on the coin look complete. It's frustrating to remove some corrosion only to discover in so doing you lost part of the coin's date!

Electrolysis has its place but it's rarely a complete cleaning method for all problems.

Electrolysis is perfect for the cleaning of porus objects such as iron relics.

Take a non-dug silver coin and place it beside a silver coin of the same type that has received electrolysis treatment (no polishing). Notice that the treated coin has a softer grainy look? The oxidation has been removed but it has left the pits behind that it came from. Other types of cleaning methods smooth the surface of the coin and leave some corruption in the pits so the eye doesn't notice them as easily. This is the method most preferred today by those who will buy dug coins. Many hate that nasty pitted look and won't buy coins like that unless they're very rare and sought after.

Cob

 

[Jolly Jim]

Cob,
Thanks for your reply! I appreciate hearing what others have to say regarding their experiences using this technique. Sounds like you've learned a lot along the way. Happy hunting!
Jim