cleaning copper and silver

[nbkDigger]

Ok I have been mding for a while and I haven't yet figured out the correct way to clean copper coins and silver coins does any one have any feed back. This is killing me because I am using some methods and most likely messing up the finds that I have. Thanks for any help.

[gordiesgirl]

There are alot of threads on cleaning coins, tumblers etc on the site go to search threads, type in cleaning coins and all those threads will come up.
you will learn alot and spend some money trying all the different ways then you will see what works for you. Hope this helps. Happy hunting.

[Kentfb]

For clad that's going back in circulation I think a tumbler would be hard to beat. As far as keeper coins be careful. A lot of cleaning techniques will depreciate the value.

[Inspector]

But in reality dont get creative for anything with value, nothing more than a very soft toothbrush and a mild sopa and water just to get the dirt off. Afterwards when you know if its a valuable date or not there are several other methods.

PS. Patina is not dirt on old coins.

On keepers, copper and silver ., just a little soap and water and a soft toothbrush, i took my 1949 large cent i found , it has great detail, to our local coin dealer (friend of mine) he cleaned it and coated it with somthing and it looks great , never clean copper and clad together either , it will stain the clad or silver . i use a tumbler with aquarium rock and arm and hammer washing soda( not baking soda) ,, a little polish and water and tumble for 12 hours , works great also i soak my copper finds in virgin olive oil for a day, sometimes longer .

[JCWhite]

Hey Inspector is ther any way to remove patina. I assume it is a stain maybe?

Originally Posted by JCWhite

Hey Inspector is ther any way to remove patina. I assume it is a stain maybe?

JC, as with antiques, you never want to remove the patina on a coin , it will devalue it greatly

WHAT DAVE SAID

Originally Posted by dave

JC, as with antiques, you never want to remove the patina on a coin , it will devalue it greatly

[bigbillinsc]

patina is the natural oxidation of conductive metals. its why the statue of liberty is green. her skin and whole outer shell is made of copper. copper turns green... but instead of rust like on ferrous metals patina on conductive metals help protect the metal from damaging corosion by limiting oxygen to the metal surface. oxygen causes.

even lead will oxidise and form patinas. bullets will have patinas of varying colors depending on the soil that they have been in. soils will also affect patina color on coins and other metals as well.


gold is oxygen resistant so it doesnt corrode. so no patinas on gold... just that very handsome yellow.

[JCWhite]

Thanks for the explanation BigBill. As Boobie says I will leave the patina alone.