RE: AMAZING method for cleaning SILVER coins

[zzantiquities]

Here is an AMAZING method for cleaning SILVER coins (only works with silver coins, as it will be destructive on bronze coins):

1.) Boil Water

2.) Wrap SILVER coins in aluminum foil. You can wrap several coins by first wrapping one, then folding, and adding another coin, then adding another, etc., each time separating the coins from one another by wrapping each one entirely in foil.

3.) Pour boiled water in glass bowl that you won't want to use again for eating.

4.) Add the foiled coins to the water so they are covered in water

5.) Add SULPHURIC ACID (beware of toxic fumes from the reaction).

6.) After reaction has ceased in a few minutes and the mixture is relatively inert (i.e. no more smoke will be seen coming from the mixture), you can remove the coins.

7.) Dip each one quickly in baking soda both sides.

8.) Rinse with water and repeat, scrubbing with toothbrush and/or finger if necessary.

The above method takes silver coins that are tarnished and nearly black in color and turns them into brilliant silver in 10 minutes, no scrubbing. However, if you want to make certain the whole coin will brilliantly shine, it will be necessary to scrub with the toothbruth and baking soda in order to clean those tiny crevices and grooves on the coin.

This only works with SILVER coins exactly as above.

Enjoy!

[cogito]

Very interesting...if not scary.However, regardless of whether this works or not, "brilliantly shiny" ancient coins are NOT as desirable as coins with some of that patina you seem determined to strip. As such, I doubt this technique will be adopted by many. If the technique reverses or remedies horn silver, then I could see some utility. Jeff

[pantheon]

I agree with Jeff. For me, the natural oxidation of silver, i.e., the medium to darker grey toning, is very attractive and desirable, and to remove it would destroy much of the interest in the coin (at least in my opinion). On the other hand, if the coin was so severely oxidized as to prove it unidentifiable, then perhaps this method of cleaning would have merit.

[lunzjat]

There is a safer way to clean silver.

Put the silver in an aluminium pan containing water and baking soda (no sodium chloride). The silver sulfide will be reduced back to silver. Wash in warm soapy water.

Using sulphuric acid is quite dangerous unless one knows how to handle the stuff safely, which is rarely. Burns to hands, and even worse the face, may result.

[Roma_Orbis]

There is a safer way to clean silver.

Put the silver in an aluminium pan containing water and baking soda (no sodium chloride). The silver sulfide will be reduced back to silver. Wash in warm soapy water.

Using sulphuric acid is quite dangerous unless one knows how to handle the stuff safely, which is rarely. Burns to hands, and even worse the face, may result.

Agreed. Or put an aluminium foil in a regular pan for a similar result.

Jérôme

[cogito]

Aluminum, hunh? Why aluminum? Is it the case that the process transfers some aluminum to the coin surface?

Jeff

[zzantiquities]

Aluminum, hunh? Why aluminum? Is it the case that the process transfers some aluminum to the coin surface?

Jeff

First: Yes, this method is VERY, VERY, **VERY** dangerous - not for everyone. Be Careful.

RE: Aluminum - apparently sulphuric acid reacts with the aluminum to produce an cleaning solution / reaction on the silver. Without aluminum this method does not work as described above.

Happy New Year in 2009!