Couple of Questions

[elkco]

Ok, I see everyone using the work 'clad.' What exactly are you talking about? Is that the copper coins that are coated with the silvery finish? Also, is there anything that you all use to shine up your coins, after you find them? I've tried copper cleaner for the pennies but that doesn't seem to do too well.

[PAPPY]

ELKCO, Clad coinage: Composite coinage metal strip composed of a core, usually of a base metal such as copper, and surface layers of more valuable metal like copper-nickel. The U.S. dimes, quarter dollars, and half dollars STRUCK SINCE 1965 are CLAD COINAGE.
I use a small amount of Arm & Hammer Soda to clean my coins along with luke warm water once they are dug. I DO NOT try to get them back to their original state as that takes away from the value....PAPPY

[elkco]

Ok, Pappy, thanks for the tip!

[Wyatt Earp]

While we're on the subject of clad......Does anybody else here think folks get way too excited by the "40% silver" Kennedy half dollars? I think folks are under the mistakn impression that those coins are 40 percent silver by weight....when in reality, they are also "clad" with a 100% copper core. The outer couple mils is 40% silver.....or in other words...a negligible amount of it.

Wyatt

[petethedig]

If you are cleaning coins with high Silver content you can use a piece of tin foil.

Sounds a bit disgusting but if you spit on the foil and then encase the coin in the foil, smooth down the sides.

In a few moments the foil will get hot and hey presto your coin will look like new.

Remember, coins lose there value in this state!.
I learnt the hard way and ruined a 1592 Shilling!

Now I just use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.

[Dugday]

ultrasonic jewelry cleaner - that sounds like a really good idea...I'll try that if I can find it. Wife has it somewhere. Thanks for the info.
D.D. : )

[Wyatt Earp]

I just tried tarn-x tonight on a badly stained roosevelt dime....works great!

Preliminary indications are that it will also work on nickels.

Wyatt