Can't clean this silver....any help ?

[Zeus (Joel)]

I've tried salt and vinager and toothpaste but that has only slightly cleaned it. Any more advice ?

[Chef Geoff]

That looks about perfect  to me, but try silver foil it's the best method

[relichunting]

It does not need cleaning it has a nice patina

Dont try silver foil on it either,this method is ok for low value hammered coins

If you want it nice and clean coin with no patina, you can either soak it in lemon juice for a a few days or use Liquid Silver Jewelry Cleaner

[Chef Geoff]

It does not need cleaning it has a nice patina

Dont try silver foil on it either,this method is ok for low value hammered coins

If you want it nice and clean coin with no patina, you can either soak it in lemon juice for a a few days or use Liquid Silver Jewelry Cleaner

What makes you think that electrochemical cleaning (silver paper) is worse than acid (lemon juice)?

[relichunting]

Because of the amount of good silver hammered coins and milled silver coins I have seen ruined by using the silver foil method

Rubbing the coin through the silver foil covers the coin in fine scratches

This is why you should only ever use it on common coins of little value

Lemon juice is a very weak acid it will give the desired effect but take the patina off,but what it wont do is scratch the coin

[Chef Geoff]

Ah well thats where you've gone wrong, too many people think that you use the silver paper as some sort of abrasive and rub the coin where in fact the clue is in the name "electrochemical" the water and aluminium foil do the work and no rubbing should be needed, so I'm afraid if you have ruined them, it was just you and not the method per se.

[legio11augustus]

so cheff how do you do it then? , because thats what ive been doing to my silver coins gently rubbing ally foil on them

[relichunting]

Ah well thats where you've gone wrong  

Not me, i do not ruin any of my coins by cleaning them

the water and aluminium foil do the work and no rubbing should be needed hot water cold water,are you going to add anything else to the water

The standard silver foil method is to place the coin in a piece of silver foil and spit on it,you then wrap it up and gently rub the coin through the foil,your smell eggs when doing this.

Can you explain your method as all you said was try the silver foil method

[Chef Geoff]

First you need NEW foil not wrinkled apre sandwich   foil as you want a good all over contact, wet the coin and preferably the foil and then wrap the coin quite tightly in it. You do rub your finger OVER the foil this is to alternate the and keep the contact between the foil and the coin (don't just hold it or your finger marks will show up on the coin). You want a reaction between the coin and the aluminium and you are using the water as a contact medium. That's it.

[legio11augustus]

ah right thanks for the tips both , like a real numpty i was just rubbing foil over them dry

[Chef Geoff]

Because of the amount of good silver hammered coins and milled silver coins I have seen ruined by using the silver foil method

Ah well thats where you've gone wrong,

I do apologise RH I misread your post

[mark74]

Looks good.Has it is. .If you want it looking like new.Then get yourself some.Silvo metal polish wadding.

[relichunting]

I use the silver foil method quite often on coins like common Edward 1 pennies,that are totally black.

Note wrap your coin in the shinny side of the foil

If you want to highlight certain areas of the coin then your need to gently rub the coin through the foil

I think I have put this link up yesterday, but it is quite good,but please remember never attempt to clean any coins until you have identified them and found out there value.

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/C/cleaning.htm

[Zeus (Joel)]

hadn't tried the foil method yet but if you all think i should leave the petina on it then thats what i will do.

[wayne]

thats my sulfuric acid and oxy/ acetylene blow torch method out of the window then.