What could I use to clean a 19th century coin?

[DaJe]

I found a dime from the 1800's. Just found it laying around my house, perhaps here from when the house was built.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT7545.JPG


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT7546.JPG



It seems to just be mostly dirt on it. So I'll clean it off and see what it looks like under all the crap. Here's a picture of what this kind of dime looks like

http://gometaldetecting.com/metaldetectingfinds/old-us-coins/sitting_liberty_dime.jpg



Think some 90% alcohol could work to clean it?

[xRyokenx]

I've heard lemon juice works... and it's not too corrosive because it's just a weak acid. Correct me if I'm wrong though, and I'd rather not be spreading misinformed advice.

[Durrthock]

try a pencil eraser

[CanaBalistic]

Dont clean it at all!!!

Just rub the loose dirt off under the tap.

Cleaning old stuff destroys its value. Just watch the antiques road show if you dont beleive me.

[Luke122]

I've also seen lemon juice turn old metal BLACK.. instantly. Bad news :(

[tybrenis]

Rubbing alcohol?

[Crimson Sky]

Ask d_stilgar to put it in his 1500 degree Bacti-Cinerator ;)

[DaJe]

As long as it doesn't melt. And it's apparently 90% silver 10% copper, so I'm safe. Maybe an ultrasonic machine could clean it.



Here's a better picture of what this particular type of dime looks like


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/55/Seated_liberty_dime.jpg

[Scotty]

Coke works doesn't it? Or Cillit Bang, And The Dirt Is Gone. But that might be UK only and its the most annoying advert eva.

[Crimson Sky]

Why not get one of those silver polishing cloths that come in the foil pack? comes soaked in polishing fluid. probably the safest bet.

[Ironcat]

I swear to God sometimes I think I am the only one who has ever heard of Google...

http://gometaldetecting.com/cleaning-finds.html

Once a coin has been tarnished, there is no way to completely restore the newly-minted luster. The United States Mint does not recommend cleaning of coins and it should be noted that the condition of a coin plays an important part in its valuation as a collector's item. The finish could be inadvertently destroyed or seriously affected by the indiscriminate use of a cleaning agent. If you believe that you have coins that are, or could be, of numismatic value, you should seek advice from a coin dealer or advanced collector regarding methods currently being used by them to clean coins.

[Crimson Sky]

Yeesh. It's not like the guy found a gold doubloon from The black Pearl. :p A mint condition seated liberty dime fetches about $1,100. In the condition of the one he found, from $17-$35. For 3 of them.

[DaJe]

Is it alright if I at least clean the date off?

[xRyokenx]

A mint condition seated liberty dime fetches about $1,100.


How's that for an investment? From 10 cents to $1100... no wonder inflation is so high...

jk, it's because they keep printing more money to pay off debts with... retards...

[DaveW]

Why not get one of those silver polishing cloths that come in the foil pack? comes soaked in polishing fluid. probably the safest bet.

I used those to polish the Aluminium fan grilles on my project. I recon they can polish anything. ;)

-Dave

[progbuddy]

Use a very weak acid, such as carbonic acid to clean it. It'll take a while, but it will leave a nice finish. Also, Ultrasonic cleaners seem to work, too.

[Durrthock]

Yeesh. A mint condition seated liberty dime fetches about $1,100.

From 10 cents to sli 8800gtx

[ReverendBob]

How about starting out with a gentle scrubbing?

Using a toothbrush and some water.

It won't take off the tarnish, but it should remove most of the soil.

[intergalacticman]

Dont clean it at all!!!

Just rub the loose dirt off under the tap.

Cleaning old stuff destroys its value. Just watch the antiques road show if you dont beleive me.

yeah seriously DONT CLEAN IT:eek:
unless you can foil coin dealers(which are specialists in that sort of thing) i would not do it.
i am an amateur numismatist and i lost 70$ off a 1875 nickel for polishing it up:dead:

[intergalacticman]

no polishing too!!!! it leave tiny abrasions and scratches on the surface!!
they are detectable by magnifying glasses(but if your coin isn't in good condition it prolly is already scratched up)

[Ironcat]

When I was in the Navy, during service week we were having a shine day, anything metallic was getting shined, with brasso, by hand, by us...
Seeing all my buddies shinging poles, water fountains, buckles, nozzles, etc, I foolishly jumped at the chance to go outside in the fresh air and shine some old screws... (by the way, N.A.V.Y. stands for " never again volunteer yourself " )

Turns out planes have propellors and boats have screws. The 'old screws' we had to polish were three bladed screws off an old destroyer or something. Each blade was roughly 5 to 6 feet long.

We were told, "If you were in the Army, you'd have to polish it until you could see your face... If you were real men and joined the Marines, you'd have to polish it until you could see the color of your eyes in your reflection... but you made the mistake of joining the Navy, polish it until you can see your pupils widen when I walk up to critique your work."

[xRyokenx]

Too bad it doesn't shine shoes well... I had an awful time shining my shoes in JROTC...

[ReverendBob]

Brasso..........good stuff.........

Must be carefull though!

Seriously? From what I could see on the picture, the dime is worn to the point of being worth far less than a mint piece.

You may want to consider polishing it up, and hanging it around your neck, or using it as a piece in a mod.

On the other hand, you probably shouldn't listen to me too much. I needed a couple of washers for a project, didn't have any, so I drilled a couple of dimes.

*shrugs*

Ryoken?

Kiwi black polish.

Heavy coat, burn it it. Yes, with fire.....carefully. Melt it so it goes into the pores and builds a good base coat.

Brush

Light coat

Brush

Light coat

Cold water and a soft cotton rag (some people use cotton balls) Use a swirling motion.

Buff with a bit of wool cloth.

You're done.

They also have a dye for the heels.

[xRyokenx]

Well, that was freshman year, I'm now a senior, but I'll try to remember that for when I get dress shoes that need shining. So it's not, wipe polish on, spit on shoe, wipe vigorously then? Hnh... stupid person that told me to do that, whatever...

[ReverendBob]

Spit is used when no water is available. It works, but not as well as the cold water. I think it has to do with the density of the polish. Cold water gives you a denser surface to polish up.

I don't know if any Marines would back me up on this?