this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2023
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Ancient Coin Cleaning
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Welcome to our community dedicated to the meticulous and rewarding art of cleaning ancient Roman coins. Here, we celebrate the patience and precision it takes to restore these historic treasures to their former glory. Whether you're a seasoned numismatist or a beginner just starting with your first crusty coin, you'll find a wealth of knowledge, tips, and support from our community. Learn about the gentle art of soaking coins in distilled water, the use of tools like toothpicks and dental picks, and the importance of a steady hand and keen eye under the microscope. Join us as we delve into the layers of history, one coin at a time.
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Any tips on how you clean the coins or silver maintenance tips?
First thing to know is that ancient coins are different then the coins you are used too. The metal has combined with various elements in the ground and has minerialized. It's delicate and cleaning requires a lot of patience and care. Without a whole suite of tools and experience at your back there is only a few safe things that can be done. Soaking the coin in distilled water is really the only way you can soften encrustations without damaging the coin itself. Then using something softer than the delicate coin to gently rub the dirt off one layer at a time. Toothpicks or bamboo skewers are great for this. Spend no more than 10mins at a time working on the coin before returning it to the distilled water and coming back another day. Change the water out every few days to once a week or so. This method will take months... Once you invest in a binocular microscope that is when the hobby kicks itself into high gear and you can use better tools.