Cleaning Coins Found With Metal Detectors

It is obvious to most coin collectors that thereoff the coins. A layer of dirt will be removed
are some coins that should never be cleaned.without damaging the coins and again several
Valuable coins should be treated just that way. Dorepetitions are needed to completely clean them.
not risk hurting the coin or damaging its' patina.Many silver coins and especially nickels come out
Clean these coins and the value drops dramatically.of the ground with black tarnish. The Mayors
However, dug coins are sometimes encrustedCleaning method is great for returning the sparkle
with dirt and materials from the ground thatto these coins. Go to the grocery store and
cleaning will enhance their appearance and improvepurchase a box of Arm & Hammer washing
their value. Here are a few techniques that worksoda (not baking soda) available in the laundry
and will not hurt the value of most dug coins.detergent section. Take a sheet of aluminum foil
Archaeologists in Europe who deal with ancientand fold it into a 2-3 inch strip. Place it into the
coin finds use one or both of these methods. 1.bottom of a glass container and place the coins
Soak the coins in distilled water and put them inon top of it. Place a couple tablespoons of the
your freezer. The water penetrates the dirt andwashing soda over the coins and pour in boiling
the ice crystals expand and break the dirt apart.water till they are covered with about an inch of
It may take several repetitions of the process towater. After the fizzing, cleaning process has
remove all of the dirt; however, the coins are notstopped, take the coins out and rinse with water.
damaged. 2. Lay the coins on a piece of waxYou may want to shine them up a little by
after covering them with a layer of Elmers whiterubbing them with a paste of baking soda and
glue. Let the glue dry thoroughly and then pull itwater.