"Hello, I didn't find them metal detecting, but I purchased 2 Michigan U.S. Civil War Merchant Storecards and one of them is a bit corroded on both sides and it's green. I don't want to hurt the coins or their value so I was wondering if the green corrosion can be cleaned off the one coin some how. I've seen alot of posts about soaking dirty and corroded coins in olive oil to clean them up. Will this work and not hurt the coin or it's value ?
Thanks,
Inquirer"
Answer from Webmaster: "Inquirer it's said, any coin of value should be cleaned professionally.
That being said, olive oil treatment works OK and you can also try using hydrogen peroxide. Boil bowl of peroxide in microwave for about 15 to 30 seconds. Drop coin in bowl, repeat if necessary. This is only good to get crud off, stains are another story. Grey to dark stain can only be removed with a silver cleaner. But coinist are totally against these cleaners."
Answer from the late Tom Weaver: "Do not, I repeat, do not put peroxide on that silver coin!! you will ruin it. I have heard of someone putting vinegar and salt rub on silver, but I wouldn't recommend that either. If you want the peroxide to work on cleaning your coin you will have to do it first. If you put it olive oil soak, the peroxide wont penetrate the oil and wont work. Dave at Redford Jewelry and coin ,told me if I want to get the green out of a good coin, and not hurt the value, soak it in distilled water. It's best to clean it over a long period of time. He said, it will break down the minerals in the green patina the safe way. As a rule of thumb, if there valuable, do not clean them, leave that to the professionals."
Answer from Doug D.: "I use a Lortone tumbler with Finch magic tumble clean (link: (Click Here)). I use what seems to be red aquarium gravel for the pennies and blue for quarters, nickles and dimes. It works great and even the dirtiest coins come out looking like new within an hour or two. Of course I don't use this to clean silver or valuable coins. With this method you can clean a lot of coins at one time. Best part is you can put your coins in and turn it on and walk away."
Links to other websites with info on this subject provided by Joe C.:
How to clean silver coins. Provided by Jeff:
From PCGS, Professional Coin Grading Service (Click Here)
More info on this topic can be found on the GLMDing forum. (Click Here)
If you have any comments you would like to add to this list or have some questions you would like added here, contact me. Email: webmaster@mth.greatlakesmetaldetecting.com
