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martygene
hey GK Man ... how (or do) you clean those old coppers? do you clean them with some soap and water to get the loose dirt off? and if so, what then?
thanks
Hi Marty
I usually use plain water to start off with while brushing them gently with a toothbrush. Each coin is different and there are so many methods to clean coins it is hard to say which one is the best. In the past I have tried the following methods beyond water
Hot peroxide which did wonders on some coins - but they can turn out darker.
Olive oil - not impressed
Toothpicks - OK
Electrolysis - Another interesting method I have had good results with
I haven't tried freezing the coin to lift encrusted material off the surface or ultrasonic.
With some of these coins so far gone I don't have anything to lose so I will probably try a low voltage electrolysis to see if I can get anything off of them. In the past I have been amazed a handful of times by the detail I was able to reveal using this method.
I know this one guy that has access to all sorts of strange chemicals that he has used on some old coins,and the results have been amazing. Although, purists would not be happy with the patina being removed even if you are able to learn more about the coin by performing such cleanings