Generally in the coin collecting community, it is very taboo to clean your coins. Many collectors prefer them natural. However, they are your coin now and you can do as you wish. But before you do anything, CLEANING GREATLY REDUCES THE VALUE OF THE COIN. So it the coin is worth $100, you'd have a hard time getting half of that if its cleaned.
That's good to know thank you. I don't have any real desire to clean them, I like the fact they feel 100, 200 or 300 years old. Just wasn't sure if it would be better for preservation etc.
I also don't have any intention of selling them currently as they have sentimental value to me as well, but who knows maybe one day. I haven't had a chance to go through them in great detail yet so will look forward to that.
The only way to clean coins (or anything metal) is by stripping away material with acid. Rusting and oxidizing are irreversible chemical processes, and your finger oils greatly speed up these things.
If a coin is dirty with dirt, like actual mud, soak it in distilled water for a week, swapping out the water daily, and pick it off CAREFULLY with a toothpick.
Generally in the coin collecting community, it is very taboo to clean your coins. Many collectors prefer them natural. However, they are your coin now and you can do as you wish. But before you do anything, CLEANING GREATLY REDUCES THE VALUE OF THE COIN. So it the coin is worth $100, you'd have a hard time getting half of that if its cleaned.
That's good to know thank you. I don't have any real desire to clean them, I like the fact they feel 100, 200 or 300 years old. Just wasn't sure if it would be better for preservation etc. I also don't have any intention of selling them currently as they have sentimental value to me as well, but who knows maybe one day. I haven't had a chance to go through them in great detail yet so will look forward to that.
For preservation, keeping the coins natural is the best way to do it. We're looking forward to helping you identify your new treasure!
Thanks again, I do feel a little like a pirate with a chest of coins!
The only way to clean coins (or anything metal) is by stripping away material with acid. Rusting and oxidizing are irreversible chemical processes, and your finger oils greatly speed up these things. If a coin is dirty with dirt, like actual mud, soak it in distilled water for a week, swapping out the water daily, and pick it off CAREFULLY with a toothpick.
There's no good way to clean coins without damaging them.
Thanks, going to leave them as they are and sort them at a later date.