coin cleaning

[axehead]

hello to everyone! I am fairly new to md'ing. I've been reading past posts about cleaning and not cleaning coins because it decreases the value. Does electrolysis damage the coin like a chemical does? and would electrolysis decrease the value of the coins? thanks-- axehead

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

Rule of thumb: Never clean a coin you think or suspect is valuable. Especially not if you KNOW it is valuable.

But we all do it. I don't try anything agressive like acids or electrolysis. I use mild detergent in water and a toothpick (only on a damp coin). Followed by a wipe with alcohol. A mildly dirty circulated coin can be "brightened" by polishing with aluminum foil. DON'T do this with a valuable coin; but it sure makes 20th century silver look good for display. If you're going to keep a coin and want it to look good - clean away.

A coin that looks cleaned is always suspect by a dealer.

Electrolysis either takes away or adds metals/ions to a surface. If you do it lightly it can be a big help.

http://home.wanadoo.nl/jkm2729/englishversion-cleaningcoins.htm

http://gometaldetecting.com/electrolysis_cleaning.htm

http://www.kersh.com/coin_cleaning.php?osCsid=b334e6fb972b3b5b6906420892da0ac5

http://www.metaldetecting101.com/electrolysis.htm

 

[axehead]

thanks for the info Charlie P. (NY), checked out the links. Quite a bit of good stuff.


axehead

 

[CaptainMorgan]

Great advice and info Charlie, thanks a bunch. I made a huge mistake many years ago and cleaned up a 1878-cc Morgan that would of probably graded AU58 but it devalued it by half.

 

[teverly]

hAVE TO AGREE WITH EVERYONE..
I have also seen a couple of posts that someone said they used silver cleaner to clean silver coins.I have tried this on a couple of roosevelt silver dimes and all it did was pit them and make them very dull.I would not advise trying this on any old silver.
I usually soak mine in baby oil and use my fingers or a very soft bristled tooth brush.
Terry