Proper coin cleaning technique

[Relic Hunter1299]

Hi, I'm new to metal detecting and I was wondering if there was any proper "technique" when cleaning your coin with dirt on it from the ground. Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks, RH1299

 

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[Generic_Lad]

Depends on what your coin is, what it is made out of, and how valuable the coin is.

You clean a key-date gold half-eagle quite differently than you do a 1968 quarter.

 

[Relic Hunter1299]

Depends on what your coin is, what it is made out of, and how valuable the coin is.

You clean a key-date gold half-eagle quite differently than you do a 1968 quarter.

Ok, say if it's a 1945 mercury dime, then what would you do?

 

[Generic_Lad]

Well, a 1945 Merc dime isn't worth much more than silver scrap in any sort of circulated grade. I'd wash it with mild soap and water and pick out the dirt using a toothpick, making sure not to scratch the coin.

 

[Relic Hunter1299]

Well, a 1945 Merc dime isn't worth much more than silver scrap in any sort of circulated grade. I'd wash it with mild soap and water and pick out the dirt using a toothpick, making sure not to scratch the coin.

Thanks, how about for a much more valuable coin such as a Morgan Dollar?

 

[sagittarius98]

Thanks, how about for a much more valuable coin such as a Morgan Dollar?

Depends on the date. For a 1921 or other common date one, same as the 1945 merc. For a key date, leave it alone.

 

[Chris.Sziber]

For junk silver use waterless hand sanitizer and an eraser. Just wet the coin and start lightly erasing. Makes for a shiny finish. As someone said previously, leave your key dates alone.

 

[sagittarius98]

For junk silver use waterless hand sanitizer and an eraser. Just wet the coin and start lightly erasing. Makes for a shiny finish. As someone said previously, leave your key dates alone.

I would not suggest that. This is better (no loss in silver, but still bad for non-junk):

How To Clean Silver With Baking Soda & Aluminum Foil | Apartment Therapy

 

[jd750707]

Lemon Juice does the trick on my junk Silver.. Soak it for a few minutes and wipe it with a rag...