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Cleaning instructions for ancient uncleaned coins.(To print this page using internet explorer, right click on your mouse and select print, preferences, and the landscape option.) Tools: Toothbrush, stiff bristle brushes (plastic or fiberglass), soft brass brush, toothpicks, straight pins, metal picks, cotton swabs, Q-tips, magnifying glass (lighted is nice), good light, containers for solutions. If possible a stereo microscope makes the detail work easier. Cleaning methods: Soap + water: Place one or more coins into a container with enough soap and water to cover them and swirl them lightly. Empty the dirty water out and rinse the coins making sure to remove all of the soap residue. Dry the coins completely and check to see if additional cleaning is necessary. (This works with lightly soiled coins) Distilled water: Allow the coin or coins to soak in the distilled water for several hours to several days. Periodically check the coins and brush them lightly with a toothbrush or soft bristle brush (plastic or fiberglass) to remove dirt. Repeat as necessary. Dry coins completely when done and check to see if additional cleaning is necessary. Olive Oil: Place the coins into a container and fill with olive oil until coins are covered. Allow the coins to soak for 3 - 4 days, the olive oil will penetrate and soften the dirt. Remove the coins and dry them. Place the coins into a mixture of TSP (Tri-Sodium Phosphate - a cleaner available in most hardware and paint shops) with some warm water. Allow the coins to soak for 5 - 10 minutes. This will remove the olive oil and some of the dirt. Thoroughly rinse the coins in clean water to remove the TSP residue. Gently brush the coins with a toothbrush or soft bristle brush (plastic or fiberglass). Examine the coins for remaining dirt, some will need to be placed back in to the olive oil for an additional 3 -4 days (or possibly longer) while others may need some detail cleaning, for example, between letters. Repeat this process until you are happy with results. Detailing: Small areas can be cleaned with a good light, steady hands, and a variety of tools. Such as:
To use the glue gun (the type that uses glue sticks) put a blob of glue on the desired area of the coin you are cleaning. Allow the glue to completely cool and harden and them remove it. If it works correctly the glue will lift the dirt from those hard to clean areas. You may have to apply the glue several times to get all the dirt off. Some words of caution about using glue:
Try practicing your cleaning techniques on some inexpensive coins first before working on anything that is valuable. Remember the patina on an ancient coin has taken centuries to form and has helped to protect the coin from the elements. The patina can appear as green, brown, black and many shades in between. It is part of the coins history and as such, should be left as intact as possible. The removal of the patina on a coin can and often does lower it's value.
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