So after getting the bug

[Aknot]

I had received this tin of coins from my aunt. After dumping them out and pulling out the white corroded ones and putting everything back in the tin I had forgotten about them. Now Ive ordered a USB microscope/camera thingy (eyes aint that good) and will be digging through them. Any pointers tips in cleaning them up? Im seeing mostly clouded ammonia and baking soda rub advice. Initial poke shows them to be all wheat pennies. Ive seen some steel ones.

I also had in there (about $250 per http://coinapps.com/silver/bullion/calculator/  Please remove if not permitted) some junk silver.

Anyone know why some of them have that white rust looking stuff on them?

[stackspot]

Probably green from copper🙂

[stackspot]

Yeah green patina from exposure to the elements

It’s not as harmful to the metal like rust is to iron/steel

[Aknot]

WOW didnt really notice it but I can see it in the picture (the green). I even opened the bag and it still looks more white to me in real life.

And thanks for the reply!

[jultorsk]

7 hours ago, Aknot said:

WOW didnt really notice it but I can see it in the picture (the green). I even opened the bag and it still looks more white to me in real life.

And thanks for the reply!

Google "verdigris", that's what your coins seem to have on them. Unfortunately it may be damaging the surface of the coin and is contagious also to other copper coins in same pot.

https://www.australian-coins.com/blog/2010/09/verdigris-copper-cancer.html

 

[5huggy]

One of these are the most gentle means of cleaning copper!

 

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/600mL-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Cleaning-Basket/dp/B011LG1P8M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1KWRVJHH5X4T&dchild=1&keywords=ultrasonic+cleaner&qid=1594027349&sprefix=ultra%2Caps%2C874&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyUTdCOEFPRFlCWkxGJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzc3MTIxU044UU01QzVQSU0wJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxMzUyMTUxR1ZVSUhNTUE5RlBCJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== 

[Aknot]

Thanks for all the replies, information and suggestions. I figure wait for the USB microscope/camera before I decide if I need to invest money in proper cleaning devices. Should be here tomorrow.

So using good ole google Ive found methods (im bored right now...) and used some of them. One was toilet bowl cleaner.... which make the coin look.. chaulky.... the other one I had handy was ketchup....

The single is the toilet cleaner.....

The triple is ketchup. One of my questions (if anyone knows) is why does the center coin come out...shinier than the 2 outside ones?

[Stuntman]

Wash them all in warm soapy water to get rid of the worst of the surface verdigris, then wash in de-ionised water and pat dry on paper towelling or similar.
Then, a prolonged soak in olive oil (for about a week)..
Then wash in de-ionised water again and pat dry again.

That'll improve the coins without being too invasive.  After then reconsider ketchup and toilet bowl cleaner!

[Aknot]

47 minutes ago, Stuntman said:

Wash them all in warm soapy water to get rid of the worst of the surface verdigris, then wash in de-ionised water and pat dry on paper towelling or similar.
Then, a prolonged soak in olive oil (for about a week)..
Then wash in de-ionised water again and pat dry again.

That'll improve the coins without being too invasive.  After then reconsider ketchup and toilet bowl cleaner!

Thanks! oh the other two was just boredom and wanted to see what happened.

I assume just do that on the coins that I may want to keep or should I do all the coins like that just to ensure the verdigris doesnt spread? (I may need to read more on it and pay a bit more attnetion about its spread)

Amazon is late with my scope/camera so I need to wait another day.

[Stuntman]

Definitely do it on the coins you want to keep.

If you're looking to sell the other coins, do it on those as well, to improve their appeal.
Otherwise, scrap them or give them away! 😁

[Stuntman]

Once the coins have been in olive oil for a bit, you can often remove the worst of any verdigris by using a toothpick or cocktail stick.  Soak the toothpick in water, and blunt the end of it so that you don't overly scratch the surface of the coins, and pick away gently at the verdigris.

All these methods will help, especially if the verdigris hasn't attached itself too invasively.  If it has, doing all the above will still improve the appearance and stop or delay any further spread.