talkmagic.co.uk

Hi,

I've got a number of silver half dollar and silver ike dollar coins that are looking a bit gruby and was wondering what would be the best method of cleaning/polishing them?

Thanks

I used that Silvo stuff and they look ridiculously shiny!

Try soaking them in Coca-Cola, it certainly cleans copper coins. Another way is to dissolve washing soda crystals in warm water, put an aluminium plate or other aluminium item in the water and rest the coins against it - instant cleaning of silver - almost by magic!

Thanks, I knew I'd get a straight answer on here.

Mandrake wrote:Another way is to dissolve washing soda crystals in warm water, put an aluminium plate or other aluminium item in the water and rest the coins against it - instant cleaning of silver - almost by magic!

We have one of those special aluminium slab things for the purpose. It really does work as well as it's claimed. If you don't clean silver very often, some aluminium foil will do just as well. I like to use a soft toothbrush to give a gentle scrub.

Here's a video:
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-cle ... a-crystals

After you have cleaned the coin. (and this really works well on brass objects) you can coat the item in question. I don't remember what the stuff is called but you can get it at a boating supply store, boaters use it on all the brass thingamambobs that you find on a boat. It will keep everything looking nice and new. Just remember it is not a cleaner it is a sealer. If you use it on a dingy coin the coin is going to remain dingy. I used to clean my brass magic stuff with brasso then used this stuff after.

Abit of common Household Vinegar will shine them right up mate... just soak them over night and voila!

TLS

Why clean them? people pay for soft coins.
Just use some warm water, washing up liquid, and a soft cloth to get rid of the loose dirt.
otherwise, let them age.

Dale has a point really as if the coins are from the 80's early 90's they have been in state of play for 20-30 years and by making them look polished to a Brand new look will rise suspicsion abit in those more observational spectators.

TLS

daleshrimpton wrote:Why clean them?

Good question, it just seemed like the right thing to do. Most card magicians would use a new pack of cards or slightly broken in deck and I thought why not clean and shiney coins.

If I was using UK currency then I probably wouldn't have bothered as it would just look like change from my pocket.

I've opted for cleaning them but not polishing them. They look ok now but not shiney.