That was a fantastic video that a lot of us probably wished they saw years ago. I've tried all the methods myself. It's so true that you can't go back. The good thing is that I now "clean" my coins the exact same way you do. Get some dirt off the high points. Leave the low points dirty to highlight the details. I learned the nose grease trick too. I've actually taken completely thin worn slugs and gotten King George and Queen Britainica to appear. Amazing trick. Awesome video. I hope people listen. The coins sacrificed were for an excellent cause. Bravo
I’ve lost my two cent piece, my infantry button, another valuable button, a war of 1812 button and a bunch of other valuable m items I have found metal detecting, I am only 13 and am devastated because I can’t display anything good because everything good I’ve found I have ruined by electrolysis😖😫I’m truly devastated
Thanks. I just started metal detecting a week ago and I would have gone straight to a brush and water. Seemed logical to me before seeing this video. I really appreciate your doing this demonstration! Amazing.
Great video Beau! I have adopted your method now on all of my coppers. I just dug my oldest copper this past Sunday. It was a 1744 King George II. I toothpicked it and I am leaving it alone because it, in my opinion, is beautiful. I too have ruined many coins over the years by trial and error. Hopefully, this video will be seen by younger detectorists so they don't learn the hard way.
I did the soap and water last night on 3 quarters that I found in my yard thank God it was on most recently made quarters (1994, 1996 & 1999). I will not clean them again like I did, I will pick at them just like you did and leave them alone. Love the plain look. I'm new to this just started but I'm hooked! Great video!!
Great video, Aquachigger. This will absolutely benefit those who are on the fence whether or not to clean coppers. Thank you for sacrificing those coins for the greater good. Further steps that will ruin coins that I have heard of people doing are: Pencil Eraser. The eraser will remove environmental patina and will "shine" the coin. Baking Soda. This will clean down to the bare metal (ruins silver too). Lemon Juice. Even swishing a copper around in lemon juice for 30 seconds will remove up to 90 percent of the original coating. Try these steps (and Aquachigger's methods) on modern dug memorials to see for yourself how these methods change the coins.
I agree with many of the others here that you have done the hobby a great service with your double sacrifice. Personally, I am just starting out in the hobby. My first metal detector in 45 years will arrive this week (Minelabs X-Terra 505 - I had an old Radio Shack detector when I was a kid and loved it). The first thing I would have done was to break out a soft-bristled toothbrush, water and a touch of Simple Green to clean up any coins I might have found. You have taught me many lessons through your videos and I haven't dug a single thing yet. Bravo and keep up the good work!
Great Video !! I've been a treasure hunter for many years now. I ruined so many coins in the beginning because of my cleaning method(s). Thank You for taking the time out and showing some of your cleaning methods. Take Care all and Happy Hunting :)
Hi Beau! Thanks for such a great video! I've tried every method to clean copper coins and olive oil blackens coins to my dismay...Usually I leave them as is for fear of damaging them even further...Your method of cleaning coppers by rubbing your thumb on your face and rubbing the coin is amazing...It really brings out the details....Thanks a million for that great tip! Jason
Love it, just watched your newest dug-copper-care-video, nose greased a Halifax half penny I dug this morning(and I’m happy with it! THANK YOU) And was only listening to this vid while doing so, then looked up to see your younger self…caught me off guard..good werk! Appreciate all these years of education and fun (and other good words) Cheers!
Beau, you are exactly right. I wish I had seen your video before I ruined my first indian penny 1863. It was beautiful coming out of the ground but not clean. I went to water, then oil, then vinegar then hydrogen peroxide and it never was good again. Completely messed up the coin so now I can't show it. I think the point you are making is that coins look best when they have a bit of the earthy elements to help provide contrast in the relief. If you've ever built detailed scale models you know this technique is called 'antiquing'. Great video. Keep 'em coming.
Thank you! this has been VERY helpful. I'm just getting started with old coins. I've seen other videos on cleaning. I like your method better and if you ruin it "You can't go back". Plus you have a soothing voice.
I used electrolysis to clean the old coins I found. Had been in the sea a while, came from an old bottle dump up on the cliffs. As you can imagine pretty much corroded to hell, but with a little electrolysis and a light rub with baking soda on my finger came out pretty good, I mean still junk by most peoples standards but I'm easily pleased. Love your vids Aquachigger, I'm only able to magnet fish now and beachcombe as I sold my detector so I could buy my boy a lego train set.
I think both of the first coins still look good, you might not be able to see the detail as much, but i wouldn't call it ruined. the third coin was pretty toasted to start off and now it really is. The truth here is is that its your coin and you can do what you want with it, the only person wo can call it ruined is yourself. Thanks for sowing us the process and outcomes for each method, very informative.
I completely agree with you; leave trace dirt to define it better. Thank you for the lesson. I am chagrined to admit that I washed dug Asian coins that went back as far as 220 BC. I so wish I had learned from you first! One other step you did not show is electrolysis, which I have never used and assume people use only to remove heavy corrosion, not mere dirt. By the way, some of those coins were embedded in "concrete" and/or clay that had baked, under heat and pressure in the ground, in Korea.
I have "ruined" my fair share of roman coins over the years. Oh some of them are pretty and shiny with no detail at all. I now prefer the "dirty" look! Great video Chigg !!
Here is my cleaning tip. Put the coin in an empty pocket and leave it there for a few days as you go about your business. It will clean up beautifully.
I actually did this with an older silve Canadian quarter. They're notorious for having worn dates. I forgot the coin was in my digging pants for a few weeks. It sat in a dirty pocket with sand,dirt, blood, sweat, tears lol. Anyway, it ended up looking better than it did when I first dug it up somehow. I could even read the date.
A tough lesson to learn the hard way. I remember helping my brother clean his 1864 2 cent coin with soap and water, and then soaking in lemon juice. when we were done you could not tell what it was let alone date it. Thanks Beau.
Thank the Lord..that I watched your video here, while I'm still new to metal detecting. I've found a few old Pfennigs from the 1800's....and tried to clean them to death...but ended up dissapointed.......Your words "once you go to the next step, you can never go back" will stay in my head from here on out ...which I will apply to all relics.
I totally agree with your method(s). Not that I find any old coppers, but I have ruined Indianheads by over-zealous cleaning methods. Very cool video, Beau. Thanks for taking the time to show us.
Thanks for the lesson. I'm always disappointed with my coins after cleaning regardless of the method. This helps me come to the realization that "less is more" when it comes to cleaning coins.
This is one of your videos that more people need to see. There are frequently questions or comments about the cleaning of coins or buttons. There should be a "Top 10" list of your most frequently asked questions. Not that you need any more work. 🙃
Good video Beau. When I dig coppers I rub them immediately on my trousers to get the dirt off and bring up the detail and then do no more with them. If you wash them in water they are ruined.. All the best, Rich.
bitsandpieces41 - RICHBISS Metal Detecting - Totally agree and this also apply to artifacts too ....... also you people who put oil on them in time you will regret it! I did and lost there looks for ever so leave them as you found them! and carry an old cloth with you I do.
hi I agree 100% with your cleaning method , Leaving a bit of mud in the deeper parts of the coin will really give you more details on the coins, I have made the mistake of over cleaning many times, but now i just leave them with a bit of mud for detail and beauty,, In fact for the times that i have over cleaned some coins there are 2 ways to go back and give the coins some details that was lost.. 1: oil the coin , wipe it down and spread some white baby powder on the coin.. Tack powder will replace the lost mud and give you back some details.. Let dry, wipe a bit and display.. 2: for cracked and lost coins like your 3rd one, I use brown shoe polish which is a wax.. rub and heat with hair dryer . wax will melt,, soak in cold water and rub off excess wax.. it should give you back some details and some home made patina,,,, I also dont recommend this for cons in good condition but for coins that you displayed in your video, these 2 tricks will do the job. Pierre
Thank you for this very informative video that’s still helping people years down the line. I have just started recently and have ruined a couple of coins throw using Brillo. Seeing your jar made me feel a little better knowing that it happens to us all. Greetings from Sheffield in the UK. 😊
I had another method that did benefit me when I sold a bunch of old Morgan silver dollars for my mother-in-law. I laid them in the bottom of a stainless steel little sauce pan with aluminum foil lining the bottom underneath. I sprinkled baking soda in there first. I brought them to a simmer for 2 minutes per side (sprinkled more baking soda on turned side ) and removed them from the burner. I left them in the water for 5 minutes I think then as I removed them I used a soft toothbrush with non-abrasive toothpaste to clean them. They looked brand new when I was done with no new scratches. Every buyer was pleased with how shiny and well preserved they looked. I never tried it with copper but it would be worth a shot to see on a less valuable coin.
Beau, I saw you have cats, so you obvious must have a bag of kitty litter somewhere. If it’s the good old type containing bentonite/clay you can hand grind some into a very fine powder and cover that second coin with it, leave it covered for a time and the oil will be absorbed, give it a finger rub and start as your step one. You might find you very close to being back to what you liked in step one. Worth a try.
downunderwest I think that is an interesting idea. I think I'll try it with some old indian heads I have to see if they look any better than they do now.
Great video! I don't detect so I wouldn't have even thought that a dirty coin could look so nice. I also had no idea that further cleaning would make some look so much worse. I only wish you had left the 1840 cent alone and did your demo on the other two.
When I was a kid back in the mid 80's I got a metal detector for Christmas. That summer my grandparents took me to a cabin site on their farm. I hunted the heck out of it and found all kinds of iron relics bits of the stove, square spikes etc. I was hoping for old coins of course so kind of felt disappointed. Anyway, while I was not finding coins, Grandma found a crusty nickel on the surface. We could not even see what type of nickel it was, so back at the house she put it in the sink and scrubbed it with a sos pad (steel wool for cleaning pots and pans!) After that we knew it was a 1935 buffalo nickel, but it sure looked strange! I later read that we shouldn't do that. Video made me think of that. :)
Thank you for taking time to produce this video. Your method is the best method AND it also works on old Flat buttons. Some Early 1800's-mid 1800 flat buttons have backmarks on them. If you do the exact same dry toothpick and face/nose oil method you will love the result when the backmarks come to life. Thanks Beau!
Novice collector. Don't ever do what he just did. I'm not a novice. And I have many years of collecting. If you have a question about your coins TALK TO A DEALER FIRST. The dealer will know everything there is to tell you about cleaning and NOT cleaning. Just don't do it. You run the risk of losing lots of money in a cleaned coin.
Thank you for doing this video, Chig. Henceforth, I will stop after the toothpick and face oil stage. That result shows the most detail, contrast, and patina. There aren't enough PSA Announcement videos for us detectors to help with our artifact cleaning. I've learned the hard way not to do the water thing.
Im glad you made this video...I messed up a lot of coins before I figured it out as well. Now I do it the same way as you, but I use just a tiny bit of olive oil after the tooth pick.
You just wasted a day doing what I do in 2 hours in my ultrasonic cleaner. I always clean up coins, I don't care if others say it devalues them because who wants to look at a piece of dirt? Thanks for the video, it was useful.
I watched this last night, and the face oil method totally grossed me out. But this morning, a buddy of mine and I went hunting, and I found an 1813 British copper token. I used the face oil method, and it worked BEAUTIFULLY. It totally works.
Wow, thank you for this vid. We don't dig many old coppers where I am, Tennessee, but if I did dig one, the first thing I would have done is soapy water! You can bet I won't now
This video is the most informative video I have ever seen! I have ruined all my best coins. But NEVER again. I ruined a 1758 king george. And 1802 1804 1814 ect ect. Large cents.
This isn't the best video I have ever seen. In fact I cringed when he was sanding the coins with toothpicks. Don't ever rub on a collectable coin. Even if it's with a q-tip! Cleaning ruins the value of the coins.
I liked the first one, but I did also like the second one after the olive oil. It showed me more of what the coin was like while in circulation. Depending on the initial quality of the coin, the olive oil rub would be the most extreme I would go. I think I cried a little inside with the third coin.
Hi Beau, I'm the guy from your Recent Detectival video who cleaned the Jetton in the field with water. After watching this I don't think I'll be using water on any of my copper or bronze coins from now on. 👍
wow, less is more. very helpful, beau. i went even further and ruined an old penny with vinegar and salt after soap and water. i think there was some peroxide involved too.
An interesting video. I think it's important to differentiate between a light corrosion (patina) and heavy corrosion. I like to clean all the dirt off a coin with a light patina so long as the patina is left intact. This is what you basically did with the first coin after cleaning with water however putting it on a dark background with light coloured (dirty coins) alongside was doing it a large disfavour. It was never going to look good under those light conditions. If the corrosion is thick then the coin will never look good with a full clean. A full clean will likely remove the corrosion and in doing so remove the detail. I detect in Qld, Oz where the soils tend to be quite acidic and horrendous on copper. Coins that are only 50-70 years old often turn up with large corrosion blisters and pitting. I think the hot climate also adds to the mix. I look on in envy at the lovely copper coins pulled out of the ground in the northern hemisphere.
The point of the video is that you should always start with a cleaning that is the least potentially destructive and move up the ladder until you like what you see and with the full knowledge that you can never go back a step.
In my naivety as a new detectorist I’ve ruined a few old coins and I feel awful about it, but I’m going to try your suggestions on a 1905 Indian grad penny I found about an hour ago, this will be the first coin that I haven’t went strait to the faucet with!!! Thank you very much, hopefully someday I will find a large cent!!!
I'm very new to all this , I just started with wheat penny's this week, so thank you for this video. someone gave me a metal detector I hope I can get it to work. thanks again.
Thanks a lot for showing me (us) the methods you use. I have been using soap and water on my coins the put oil on them. I was sways trying to find a better way... I think this method I'll use now!!
I think all of your videos are awesome my friend. Big fan of yours here. And I agree, I did like the step one coin best. I wish I had seen this video a few weeks ago when I found my buffalo nickel. Thanks for the knowledge buddy.
Thanks man. That was highly informative. Of course I say that while I have a quarter soaking in vinegar. Yes, I'm learning from my own mistakes as well.
Thanks for showing me that "dirt" can be good. It really showed detail that would be lost. I have done the water n soap to start, and didn't like it at all. Toothpicks from now on. Thanks Again Beau for Great Tip.
Thanks! this video helped a lot. When I finally get something worth cleaning this will be a great reference. I had been wondering what would work and have tried a few cleaners. They are your coins do what you will, if it were not for you they would still be lost. I think your effort saved me a lot more coins. Lol
Great vid Ty, When I was a kid we used to do brass rubbings. And after work in some ink paste, then wipe clean. It would normally bring back the detail, And kinda make it pop. Might help with the washed out coin
I usually clean my coppers by dropping them in a shotglass full of hydrogen peroxide that has been boiled in the microwave. Excellent results, as long as the coin has good stable metal under the crud. I then rub a thin layer of vasaline, brings out great detail.
@@undrehankins8693 It doesn't, 99.9% of copper coins are neither rare or valueable unless they're literally in near mint condition. Anything dug from the ground won't meet top collectible criteria in almost every case. Check the date and identify them first to be sure.......then do whatever makes you happy.
Thanks Beau! I haven't found any large cents yet, but if I do I am just going to use the toothpick method. Great information to know thanks for showing what happens!!
Really helpful - I always dumped old dirty coins straight into water! Oh DEAR - little wonder I was less than impressed with what was under the dirt! Very useful advice :)
Thank you so much for your video. I “ruined” my first couple of coppers because I went straight to water. Someone shared your bid recently and I’ve cleaned one IHP and now gorgeous colonial button with your method and they came out very well. I’m new to metal detecting and wonder if there are ways to restore some old nickels I found. I did already wash them as they were o e of my earliest discoveries.
Thanks a lot Beau! great video, I have found handfuls of Canadian large cents but just found my first US large cent (1845) last Sunday up here in Ontario Canada. I really wanted to make sure I didn't ruin it.
Yeah Beau I use to put water to my copper coins, not anymore. Coppers should only be given a dry clean. The 1840 looked nice before step two. Good info. for the ones that don`t know.
I don't go digging or finding, but I watch your videos because they're interesting and educational as well as entertaining. To me not knowing anything about this neat hobbyist really astonishing that the dirtier coin is much nicer looking even to me a non coin guy... Thanks for the cool vids!
I think you are rite I didn't agree to start with and thought soak the 1840 cent in water for 5 minutes and wipe of the mud but when you did the soap and water it did damage its eye appeal from how it was first when using just the tooth pick. Thanks for a good video and tips
That was a fantastic video that a lot of us probably wished they saw years ago. I've tried all the methods myself. It's so true that you can't go back. The good thing is that I now "clean" my coins the exact same way you do. Get some dirt off the high points. Leave the low points dirty to highlight the details. I learned the nose grease trick too. I've actually taken completely thin worn slugs and gotten King George and Queen Britainica to appear. Amazing trick. Awesome video. I hope people listen. The coins sacrificed were for an excellent cause. Bravo
Yeah that Braided Hair was Gorgeous. Still a beautiful coin just lost some character
What is nose greese
I’ve lost my two cent piece, my infantry button, another valuable button, a war of 1812 button and a bunch of other valuable m items I have found metal detecting, I am only 13 and am devastated because I can’t display anything good because everything good I’ve found I have ruined by electrolysis😖😫I’m truly devastated
@@lukeg5184 don't worry lots of people wrong this
don't apologize, you taught all of us something. Even though it was at the cost of two coins; it was two for the sake of thousands in the future.
Wow.. Its the first video on RUclips where the guy doesnt try to ruin the coins using acids and abbrasives! Respect!
Thanks. I just started metal detecting a week ago and I would have gone straight to a brush and water. Seemed logical to me before seeing this video. I really appreciate your doing this demonstration! Amazing.
Great video Beau! I have adopted your method now on all of my coppers. I just dug my oldest copper this past Sunday. It was a 1744 King George II. I toothpicked it and I am leaving it alone because it, in my opinion, is beautiful. I too have ruined many coins over the years by trial and error. Hopefully, this video will be seen by younger detectorists so they don't learn the hard way.
You found a George II coin? THAT IS SO FRIGGIN COOL!
I don't mind the face oil but that finger nail scraping was like nails on a chalk board :D
greg appelgren Agreed. I was yelling at my screen for Beau to stop lol.
***** It was bad enough lol
Same here!
That hurt my ears lol I had to mute the video for a second
Idiot
I did the soap and water last night on 3 quarters that I found in my yard thank God it was on most recently made quarters (1994, 1996 & 1999). I will not clean them again like I did, I will pick at them just like you did and leave them alone. Love the plain look. I'm new to this just started but I'm hooked! Great video!!
Great video, Aquachigger. This will absolutely benefit those who are on the fence whether or not to clean coppers. Thank you for sacrificing those coins for the greater good.
Further steps that will ruin coins that I have heard of people doing are:
Pencil Eraser. The eraser will remove environmental patina and will "shine" the coin.
Baking Soda. This will clean down to the bare metal (ruins silver too).
Lemon Juice. Even swishing a copper around in lemon juice for 30 seconds will remove up to 90 percent of the original coating.
Try these steps (and Aquachigger's methods) on modern dug memorials to see for yourself how these methods change the coins.
This video is a perfect example of why I love your channel. Keep up the great work!
I agree with many of the others here that you have done the hobby a great service with your double sacrifice. Personally, I am just starting out in the hobby. My first metal detector in 45 years will arrive this week (Minelabs X-Terra 505 - I had an old Radio Shack detector when I was a kid and loved it). The first thing I would have done was to break out a soft-bristled toothbrush, water and a touch of Simple Green to clean up any coins I might have found. You have taught me many lessons through your videos and I haven't dug a single thing yet. Bravo and keep up the good work!
Great Video !! I've been a treasure hunter for many years now. I ruined so many coins in the beginning because of my cleaning method(s). Thank You for taking the time out and showing some of your cleaning methods. Take Care all and Happy Hunting :)
Just starting in the hobby , This will defintly save my
coins from destruction .
Hi Beau!
Thanks for such a great video! I've tried every method to clean copper coins and olive oil blackens coins to my dismay...Usually I leave them as is for fear of damaging them even further...Your method of cleaning coppers by rubbing your thumb on your face and rubbing the coin is amazing...It really brings out the details....Thanks a million for that great tip!
Jason
Love it, just watched your newest dug-copper-care-video, nose greased a Halifax half penny I dug this morning(and I’m happy with it! THANK YOU) And was only listening to this vid while doing so, then looked up to see your younger self…caught me off guard..good werk! Appreciate all these years of education and fun (and other good words) Cheers!
Beau, you are exactly right. I wish I had seen your video before I ruined my first indian penny 1863. It was beautiful coming out of the ground but not clean. I went to water, then oil, then vinegar then hydrogen peroxide and it never was good again. Completely messed up the coin so now I can't show it. I think the point you are making is that coins look best when they have a bit of the earthy elements to help provide contrast in the relief. If you've ever built detailed scale models you know this technique is called 'antiquing'. Great video. Keep 'em coming.
Clear and concise about the pros and cons. Very informative video. And to be able to visually see the difference, is highly appreciated!!!
Thank you! this has been VERY helpful. I'm just getting started with old coins. I've seen other videos on cleaning. I like your method better and if you ruin it "You can't go back". Plus you have a soothing voice.
Eyeopening!! I would never had guessed that leaving the light mud would make the coin more beautiful. This was a master class!
I used electrolysis to clean the old coins I found. Had been in the sea a while, came from an old bottle dump up on the cliffs. As you can imagine pretty much corroded to hell, but with a little electrolysis and a light rub with baking soda on my finger came out pretty good, I mean still junk by most peoples standards but I'm easily pleased.
Love your vids Aquachigger, I'm only able to magnet fish now and beachcombe as I sold my detector so I could buy my boy a lego train set.
I think both of the first coins still look good, you might not be able to see the detail as much, but i wouldn't call it ruined. the third coin was pretty toasted to start off and now it really is. The truth here is is that its your coin and you can do what you want with it, the only person wo can call it ruined is yourself. Thanks for sowing us the process and outcomes for each method, very informative.
I completely agree with you; leave trace dirt to define it better. Thank you for the lesson. I am chagrined to admit that I washed dug Asian coins that went back as far as 220 BC. I so wish I had learned from you first! One other step you did not show is electrolysis, which I have never used and assume people use only to remove heavy corrosion, not mere dirt. By the way, some of those coins were embedded in "concrete" and/or clay that had baked, under heat and pressure in the ground, in Korea.
I have "ruined" my fair share of roman coins over the years. Oh some of them are pretty and shiny with no detail at all. I now prefer the "dirty" look! Great video Chigg !!
Here is my cleaning tip. Put the coin in an empty pocket and leave it there for a few days as you go about your business. It will clean up beautifully.
Clever.
Will it remove fingerprints?
I actually did this with an older silve Canadian quarter. They're notorious for having worn dates. I forgot the coin was in my digging pants for a few weeks. It sat in a dirty pocket with sand,dirt, blood, sweat, tears lol. Anyway, it ended up looking better than it did when I first dug it up somehow. I could even read the date.
That is super cool advice
Uncle chill bill
A tough lesson to learn the hard way. I remember helping my brother clean his 1864 2 cent coin with soap and water, and then soaking in lemon juice. when we were done you could not tell what it was let alone date it. Thanks Beau.
Very cool. My 7 year old daughter collects coins. She enjoyed this very much.
Thank the Lord..that I watched your video here, while I'm still new to metal detecting. I've found a few old Pfennigs from the 1800's....and tried to clean them to death...but ended up dissapointed.......Your words "once you go to the next step, you can never go back" will stay in my head from here on out ...which I will apply to all relics.
I totally agree with your method(s). Not that I find any old coppers, but I have ruined Indianheads by over-zealous cleaning methods. Very cool video, Beau. Thanks for taking the time to show us.
I share this video about once a week with folks. Thanks for providing “real” content for the hobby.
Thanks for the lesson. I'm always disappointed with my coins after cleaning regardless of the method. This helps me come to the realization that "less is more" when it comes to cleaning coins.
This is one of your videos that more people need to see. There are frequently questions or comments about the cleaning of coins or buttons. There should be a "Top 10" list of your most frequently asked questions. Not that you need any more work. 🙃
I agree with stopping before the soap water brushing. Thanks for sharing.
Good video Beau. When I dig coppers I rub them immediately on my trousers to get the dirt off and bring up the detail and then do no more with them. If you wash them in water they are ruined.. All the best, Rich.
bitsandpieces41 -
RICHBISS Metal Detecting - Totally agree and this also apply to artifacts too ....... also you people who put oil on them in time you will regret it! I did and lost there looks for ever so leave them as you found them! and carry an old cloth with you I do.
hi I agree 100% with your cleaning method , Leaving a bit of mud in the deeper parts of the coin will really give you more details on the coins, I have made the mistake of over cleaning many times, but now i just leave them with a bit of mud for detail and beauty,, In fact for the times that i have over cleaned some coins there are 2 ways to go back and give the coins some details that was lost.. 1: oil the coin , wipe it down and spread some white baby powder on the coin.. Tack powder will replace the lost mud and give you back some details.. Let dry, wipe a bit and display.. 2: for cracked and lost coins like your 3rd one, I use brown shoe polish which is a wax.. rub and heat with hair dryer . wax will melt,, soak in cold water and rub off excess wax.. it should give you back some details and some home made patina,,,, I also dont recommend this for cons in good condition but for coins that you displayed in your video, these 2 tricks will do the job. Pierre
Thank you for this very informative video that’s still helping people years down the line. I have just started recently and have ruined a couple of coins throw using Brillo. Seeing your jar made me feel a little better knowing that it happens to us all. Greetings from Sheffield in the UK. 😊
I had another method that did benefit me when I sold a bunch of old Morgan silver dollars for my mother-in-law. I laid them in the bottom of a stainless steel little sauce pan with aluminum foil lining the bottom underneath. I sprinkled baking soda in there first. I brought them to a simmer for 2 minutes per side (sprinkled more baking soda on turned side ) and removed them from the burner. I left them in the water for 5 minutes I think then as I removed them I used a soft toothbrush with non-abrasive toothpaste to clean them. They looked brand new when I was done with no new scratches. Every buyer was pleased with how shiny and well preserved they looked. I never tried it with copper but it would be worth a shot to see on a less valuable coin.
Thanks for sacrificing 2 coins . Excellent video on cleaning and overcleaning !!!
Beau, I saw you have cats, so you obvious must have a bag of kitty litter somewhere. If it’s the good old type containing bentonite/clay you can hand grind some into a very fine powder and cover that second coin with it, leave it covered for a time and the oil will be absorbed, give it a finger rub and start as your step one. You might find you very close to being back to what you liked in step one. Worth a try.
downunderwest I think that is an interesting idea. I think I'll try it with some old indian heads I have to see if they look any better than they do now.
Great video! I don't detect so I wouldn't have even thought that a dirty coin could look so nice. I also had no idea that further cleaning would make some look so much worse. I only wish you had left the 1840 cent alone and did your demo on the other two.
When I was a kid back in the mid 80's I got a metal detector for Christmas. That summer my grandparents took me to a cabin site on their farm. I hunted the heck out of it and found all kinds of iron relics bits of the stove, square spikes etc. I was hoping for old coins of course so kind of felt disappointed. Anyway, while I was not finding coins, Grandma found a crusty nickel on the surface. We could not even see what type of nickel it was, so back at the house she put it in the sink and scrubbed it with a sos pad (steel wool for cleaning pots and pans!) After that we knew it was a 1935 buffalo nickel, but it sure looked strange! I later read that we shouldn't do that. Video made me think of that. :)
Thank you for taking time to produce this video. Your method is the best method AND it also works on old Flat buttons. Some Early 1800's-mid 1800 flat buttons have backmarks on them. If you do the exact same dry toothpick and face/nose oil method you will love the result when the backmarks come to life. Thanks Beau!
Oh man..... great video and a great service to novice collectors and a fantastic service to old coins. Thanks for the instructions.
Novice collector. Don't ever do what he just did. I'm not a novice. And I have many years of collecting. If you have a question about your coins TALK TO A DEALER FIRST. The dealer will know everything there is to tell you about cleaning and NOT cleaning. Just don't do it. You run the risk of losing lots of money in a cleaned coin.
Thank you, Owen Wilson, for helping me clean my display coins, it was very helpful and informative
Thank you for doing this video, Chig. Henceforth, I will stop after the toothpick and face oil stage. That result shows the most detail, contrast, and patina. There aren't enough PSA Announcement videos for us detectors to help with our artifact cleaning. I've learned the hard way not to do the water thing.
Great video Beau. We only use skin oil just as you did in the first step. Anything further than that is risky. We've learned the hard way too!
Awesome information!!! Thank-you so much for the "Coin Cleaning Class" I'm so thankful for all of your experience!
Thanks for pointing this.. Myself I'm always use a petroleum-based degreaser, mixed with a citrus cleaning degreaser.. . Works badass...
Im glad you made this video...I messed up a lot of coins before I figured it out as well. Now I do it the same way as you, but I use just a tiny bit of olive oil after the tooth pick.
You just wasted a day doing what I do in 2 hours in my ultrasonic cleaner. I always clean up coins, I don't care if others say it devalues them because who wants to look at a piece of dirt? Thanks for the video, it was useful.
I watched this video before, but enjoyed it even more now that I have more detecting experience under my belt.
Never realized this about cleaning, or in some instances ruining coins. Great video. Thanks for producing.
Thanks for the video and teaching! I agree that the dry cleaning is best and looks better.
Thanks Beau. A great demonstration on procedures to take cleaning a coin.
I watched this last night, and the face oil method totally grossed me out. But this morning, a buddy of mine and I went hunting, and I found an 1813 British copper token. I used the face oil method, and it worked BEAUTIFULLY. It totally works.
Wow, thank you for this vid. We don't dig many old coppers where I am, Tennessee, but if I did dig one, the first thing I would have done is soapy water! You can bet I won't now
Very educational and great advice. Thank you for taking one for the team. Hopefully many coppah’s will be saved by this video. 😎⚒
This video is the most informative video I have ever seen! I have ruined all my best coins. But NEVER again. I ruined a 1758 king george. And 1802 1804 1814 ect ect. Large cents.
This isn't the best video I have ever seen. In fact I cringed when he was sanding the coins with toothpicks. Don't ever rub on a collectable coin. Even if it's with a q-tip! Cleaning ruins the value of the coins.
I liked the first one, but I did also like the second one after the olive oil. It showed me more of what the coin was like while in circulation. Depending on the initial quality of the coin, the olive oil rub would be the most extreme I would go. I think I cried a little inside with the third coin.
Very helpful!! I'm kinda learning the same thing on restoring Stanley Planes. Age looks good on old stuff.
Hi Beau, I'm the guy from your Recent Detectival video who cleaned the Jetton in the field with water. After watching this I don't think I'll be using water on any of my copper or bronze coins from now on. 👍
wow, less is more. very helpful, beau. i went even further and ruined an old penny with vinegar and salt after soap and water. i think there was some peroxide involved too.
Thanks for the sacrifice, hope it helps some people learn the lessons that took you many years to realize (It helped me!). Much appreciated video!
An interesting video. I think it's important to differentiate between a light corrosion (patina) and heavy corrosion. I like to clean all the dirt off a coin with a light patina so long as the patina is left intact. This is what you basically did with the first coin after cleaning with water however putting it on a dark background with light coloured (dirty coins) alongside was doing it a large disfavour. It was never going to look good under those light conditions. If the corrosion is thick then the coin will never look good with a full clean. A full clean will likely remove the corrosion and in doing so remove the detail. I detect in Qld, Oz where the soils tend to be quite acidic and horrendous on copper. Coins that are only 50-70 years old often turn up with large corrosion blisters and pitting. I think the hot climate also adds to the mix. I look on in envy at the lovely copper coins pulled out of the ground in the northern hemisphere.
The point of the video is that you should always start with a cleaning that is the least potentially destructive and move up the ladder until you like what you see and with the full knowledge that you can never go back a step.
Glad I am a beginner and have only wrecked a few by washing first!
Thanks for sharing this Beau, top advice.
Best wishes
Carol :)
Very good info. I would have never guessed water would damage them!
In my naivety as a new detectorist I’ve ruined a few old coins and I feel awful about it, but I’m going to try your suggestions on a 1905 Indian grad penny I found about an hour ago, this will be the first coin that I haven’t went strait to the faucet with!!! Thank you very much, hopefully someday I will find a large cent!!!
Thanks for making the video - very helpful especially for those of us new to the hobby and looking for expert advice.
I'm very new to all this , I just started with wheat penny's this week, so thank you for this video. someone gave me a metal detector I hope I can get it to work. thanks again.
Thanks a lot for showing me (us) the methods you use. I have been using soap and water on my coins the put oil on them. I was sways trying to find a better way... I think this method I'll use now!!
Great video I’ve just started and you’ve stopped me ruining anything I might find 😊
I think all of your videos are awesome my friend. Big fan of yours here. And I agree, I did like the step one coin best. I wish I had seen this video a few weeks ago when I found my buffalo nickel. Thanks for the knowledge buddy.
I know this is an older video but it came up as a suggestion, and I really enjoyed the incremental process you followed. Beautiful coins!
Thanks man. That was highly informative. Of course I say that while I have a quarter soaking in vinegar. Yes, I'm learning from my own mistakes as well.
Thanks for showing me that "dirt" can be good. It really showed detail that would be lost. I have done the water n soap to start, and didn't like it at all. Toothpicks from now on. Thanks Again Beau for Great Tip.
Thanks for the good advice and taking your time for all of us with this and many other videos.
Very informational video Beau! Thank you, your videos rock my friend!
By far the best demonstration of what not to do to coppers coins!
Thanks! this video helped a lot. When I finally get something worth cleaning this will be a great reference. I had been wondering what would work and have tried a few cleaners. They are your coins do what you will, if it were not for you they would still be lost. I think your effort saved me a lot more coins. Lol
Great vid Ty,
When I was a kid we used to do brass rubbings. And after work in some ink paste, then wipe clean. It would normally bring back the detail, And kinda make it pop. Might help with the washed out coin
I usually clean my coppers by dropping them in a shotglass full of hydrogen peroxide that has been boiled in the microwave. Excellent results, as long as the coin has good stable metal under the crud. I then rub a thin layer of vasaline, brings out great detail.
This method isn't ruining your coins in the long run?
@@Zinzipinzi yes it destroys the value
How and why does it destroy the value?
@@undrehankins8693 It doesn't, 99.9% of copper coins are neither rare or valueable unless they're literally in near mint condition. Anything dug from the ground won't meet top collectible criteria in almost every case. Check the date and identify them first to be sure.......then do whatever makes you happy.
Heating H202 makes it basicly water. In other words, it becomes inactive
Whata valuable lesson. I am so glad you made this video. I have ruined coins because I didn't know. Thank-you so much.
Great video. The initial 1840 LC also looked to exhibit Misaligned (rotated) dies. Worth a little extra to error coin collectors.
Thanks Beau! I haven't found any large cents yet, but if I do I am just going to use the toothpick method. Great information to know thanks for showing what happens!!
Really helpful - I always dumped old dirty coins straight into water! Oh DEAR - little wonder I was less than impressed with what was under the dirt! Very useful advice :)
YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT!!! Never apologize for teaching us something and probably saving a bunch of coins from destruction.
Ya done good.
Amen! I hate that Mr Beau (or any of us) feels like we have to do that bc of haters on here. Sad but true...
zalmaflash I leárned alot
I learned alot
I'm a manicurest and it nearly killed me when you scraped with your nails
Thank you so much for your video. I “ruined” my first couple of coppers because I went straight to water. Someone shared your bid recently and I’ve cleaned one IHP and now gorgeous colonial button with your method and they came out very well. I’m new to metal detecting and wonder if there are ways to restore some old nickels I found. I did already wash them as they were o e of my earliest discoveries.
I knew all that oil on my face would come in handy someday, now all I have to do is dig a LC. Thanks man, great advice!
Very interesting. Totally agree with you. That was night and day difference
You are a very good teacher always sharing and helping us new guys watch your video.s from all over bless you and yours super thanks again.
Thanks a lot Beau! great video, I have found handfuls of Canadian large cents but just found my first US large cent (1845) last Sunday up here in Ontario Canada. I really wanted to make sure I didn't ruin it.
I definitely like the way the nicer coin looked before scrubbing with soap and water.
Thank goodness that I found your video!
Yeah Beau I use to put water to my copper coins, not anymore. Coppers should only be given a dry clean. The 1840 looked nice before step two. Good info. for the ones that don`t know.
Appreciate the info and actual demonstration. Eye Opening! Thanks
Great video. I have ruined my share of coins with soap and water but no more! Thanks for posting!
Thanks for showing this. I seem to alway clean everything off. But I like your presentation of the c not fully cleaned the details pop.
I don't go digging or finding, but I watch your videos because they're interesting and educational as well as entertaining.
To me not knowing anything about this neat hobbyist really astonishing that the dirtier coin is much nicer looking even to me a non coin guy...
Thanks for the cool vids!
Great video Beau ,plenty of great info !
Your reminding me of that guy who use to do those oil painting on the tv!
flipster420 Bob Ross.
Bob Ross 2018
Ohh Bob Ross and his happy trees.
RIP Bob Ross
Hahaha Good one!
VERY iteresting video ! Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to share your knowledge with us ! :)
I think you are rite I didn't agree to start with and thought soak the 1840 cent in water for 5 minutes and wipe of the mud but when you did the soap and water it did damage its eye appeal from how it was first when using just the tooth pick.
Thanks for a good video and tips