I know that cleaning coins is frowned upon, but I've been reading old forum posts by a (no longer active) member of Numista named Fluke, and enjoyed the transformations he was able to bring about with coins that were almost ruined.
With that being said, does anyone have any suggestions (other than "Don't clean it") for cleaning a coin made of iron without completely destroying it?
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to any positive information ya'll can share!
Humor is the ability to see three sides to one coin. -Ned Rorem
What Fluke did was not cleaning. His process of firing a coin was to remove verdigris, which is an oxidization of the metal itself rather than being surface dirt. He also stated that he wouldn't do it on any coin of significant value.
Iron coins are usually affected by corrosion rather than dirt, and if you have an iron coin that is rusted then all you can do is to treat it to stop the rust spreading, soak it in a bit of WD40 and wipe it with a soft cloth.
Thank you for the information and correction. The transformations were nothing short of magical. I've read back through eight years of forum posts, and no one else even came close to those results. I completely understand not doing it to valuable coins, because it would destroy the monetary value, but inexpensive coins with little value and a beautiful design benefit from it.
If I understand correctly, you are saying that I can't reverse the corrosion that's happened to my iron coin (https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces31828.html), but I would likely be able to halt the continuing corrosion by using WD-40.
Thanks again,
Eric
Humor is the ability to see three sides to one coin. -Ned Rorem
Absolutely! I just thought the process and results were very interesting. I was hoping there would be a layman's solution to my iron coin, but it seems there isn't.
Humor is the ability to see three sides to one coin. -Ned Rorem
I would also agree that Fluke's method is not to be attempted by any of us lesser mortals but the results he acheived were nothing short of wizardy! I sent him a very ugly Victorian Jersey 1/24th shilling and I was not hopeful that he would be able to do anything with it but it came back virtually immaculate, according to its age and wear, all apart from a very small pit/scar on one side which was the site of the original corrosion.
Just because you can't see it ... doesn't mean it isn't there - Anon.
Wd40 is acid.... Yes, it removes rust but... Preserve iron coin... I am not sure how to preserve iron coin.
By the way is there any thread on this guy or what so ever? I am lost...
Be kind to people. Sharing is Caring. Collect what you like and not by the Crowd.
To seek for perfection, it is too painful and there is a very high price to pay. To seek for something comfortable is more easy. To seek for nothing is even more easy.
引用する: "radrick007"I would also agree that Fluke's method is not to be attempted by any of us lesser mortals but the results he acheived were nothing short of wizardy! I sent him a very ugly Victorian Jersey 1/24th shilling and I was not hopeful that he would be able to do anything with it but it came back virtually immaculate, according to its age and wear, all apart from a very small pit/scar on one side which was the site of the original corrosion.
Yes, we lost a good member when he stopped posting, I'm not sure what the story is there?
Taking a break from swapping for a while, but still interested in pre 1799 Spanish coins, I will make time for that!
Ah I can see why people are not very happy. I think I would say some coins can use his methods and some rather not. Reason being is because rust will eat up the metal. Using Wd40 will clear the rust but some of them that has been heavily rusted away, even cleaned will ended up in a poorer condition than before it is cleaned. And those coins that still have Wd40 residue, I bet after certain time kept in a air tight capsule for like 10 to 15 years, some of them will have this rainbow effect on the coin.
If its a common coin, then it's okie since its a common coin. But its not a common coin, doing so will damage the value of the coin.
Be kind to people. Sharing is Caring. Collect what you like and not by the Crowd.
To seek for perfection, it is too painful and there is a very high price to pay. To seek for something comfortable is more easy. To seek for nothing is even more easy.
引用する: "Saber82"
If its a common coin, then it's okie since its a common coin. But its not a common coin, doing so will damage the value of the coin.
The term "coin cleaning" is frequently misused and misunderstood.
From my perspective, it means removing from the coin any material that was not part of the original coin, and not a desired part of natural aging.
I realize this leaves a gaping hole for the discussion of beautiful toning vs. ugly toning.
But we should be able to agree on on some of the extreme cases.
First of all, metal coin degradation usually takes place when the coin metal chemically reacts with the surrounding environment and creates a third substance.
As a learning experience, I took some low value damaged coins and tried to remove the undesirable product of the reaction.
I didn't seem to record any of my experiment on ferrous based coins, but fortunately Fluke did.
The general process is similar, but the chemicals may vary. For iron based coins I would suggest the care and restoration products used in the firearms industry. Gun people like to clean and protect their firearms, and there is a whole industry built to service their desires.
To begin with, the tool kit is simple. This is mine, plus I've added a few commercial products available through coin supply stores.
Before reacting with horror, the knife is only there to sharpen the tooth picks.
I did photographically record a few of my projects and share them with you for comment.
What is not shown in the pictures is the skill and patience required.
This isn't for everyone, but I encourage everyone to give it a try.
At the very least, you will be better able to determine if a coin in question has been cleaned.
A smart man learns from his mistakes. A smarter man learns from someone else's.
I also like that you break down what should be meant by "coin cleaning"
A hard polishing is not cleaning the coin, its polishing the coin. Don't do that...
Soaking a penny in vinegar is not cleaning the coin, its eating off the surface. Don't to that ether....
Removing tape residue from a coin using acetone, is cleaning a coin. Its OK!
Picking dirt or crud off a coin, is cleaning a coin. Its OK!
Taking a break from swapping for a while, but still interested in pre 1799 Spanish coins, I will make time for that!
