Cleaning Copper and Nickel

[DiggerJohnPA]

Hi All,
I actually posted this as a response in another thread but I am so happy with this method that I wanted it to have it's own thread.
This method is good for Copper and Nickel coins but keep in mind that if a coin is badly corroded, there's not a whole lot that can be done to save it.
I fill a small dish with peroxide and put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds until the peroxide is good and hot. Drop the coin (one at a time) into the hot peroxide and it should begin to bubble and fizz. Let the coin sit in the fizzy peroxide for a few minutes.... or longer (maybe even a half hour if it is really dirty). You can re-heat it as many times as you want to keep the peroxide hot and fizzy.
When you're done with that, use a soft bristle tooth brush to get the loosened dirt off and rinse it.
Lastly... you have to get yourself a bottle of "Blue Ribbon Professional Coin Cleaner and Preservative". It is available from any coin dealer for about $8.00. It comes in a small glass bottle and is an oily substance with a funky smell.
Once you have cleaned your coin with the hot peroxide method, use a cotton swab (Q-Tip) to wipe on some "Blue Ribbon". Don't be afraid to use alot. This stuff gets some of the extra dirt and tarnish off and leaves the surface nice and natural looking, as well as leaving a protective lubricant on the surface that can be wiped off later. It cleans coins but is not harsh or abrasive in any way.
I hope you get some decent results 'cause I know I have.

[detectorbase]

Nice tip. I'll keep an eye out for the Blue Ribbon.. never heard of that before.

DB

[Fiftytwo pennies]

I gotta ask : When you reheat the dish do you leave the coin in the dish? There is no mention of you taking it out.

[Dick from IA]

Thanks for the great tip, John. Am I assuming (since you said copper and Nickel) it's not for silver or clad silver?

Been using a new tumbler, with aquarium gravel for common clad & it does OK, I guess. But it does wear on the coin, so nothing of value should go into tumblers, is my opinion.

[Fiftytwo pennies]

Hey Dick in Ia I like to use vinager for copper and Ammonia for silver. It sounds funny but you would be suprised what Ketchup will do! Make sure you rinse with water thoroughly and if you like dip it in olive oil to perserve.

[DiggerJohnPA]

Originally Posted by Fiftytwo pennies

I gotta ask : When you reheat the dish do you leave the coin in the dish? There is no mention of you taking it out.

52... I just leave the coin in the dish when I re-heat it. My microwave doesn't seem to mind. I know that a large amount of metal in a microwave can spark and arc like crazy but that has never happened when I do this. You can take the coin out of the dish when you re-heat if you would feel more comfortable. Keep in mind that I am only doing one coin at a time. This is for wheaties, Indian Heads, old nickels, etc.

[ecdonovan10]

I also use the peroxide method. It works great. I would not leave olive oil on a coin as a preservative. It is a mild solvent and will continue to react. The oil may also have contaminants in it, (anything living, like very fine bits of olive pits). After cleaning in peroxide, I like to rinse it in Naptha or Acetone, followed by a bath in a little soap and water, with a final rinse in distilled water. Finish with a coat of Blue Ribbon cleaner or better yet "Renesance Wax" used by museums to preserve artifacts. This is a mix of a lot of methods recommended, and gives good results. If you can idetify a coin that may have value, then do not clean it, take it to a pro. If you don,t know at all what it is try a little soap and water with a soft tooth brush, try to identify it as soon as possible to keep from damaging a valuable coin.

Ed D.