newbie test 1 - clean/remove toning

[Nek17]

Before you call me crazy, here is the coin I intend to test the clean:

There are still lovely details but the full dark toning made it very difficult to see.

I've read articles saying NONO to clean silver coins except gentle soapy water clean.

"Never try to remove the natural oxidation from coins, such as the tarnish on silver. This is called "toning" and the coin is worth more with it intact. Removing it will damage the coin's surface and greatly reduce its value. In other words, no dipping, polishing, or chemical solutions should ever be used on coins."

I haven never used other 'least damage' methods - e.g. vinegar+soda powder, so will see the effect and damage later - unless there are people really prefer full dark brown or black tonings?

[TomGoodheart]

I haven never used other 'least damage' methods - e.g. vinegar+soda powder, so will see the effect and damage later - unless there are people really prefer full dark brown or black tonings?

Depends on the coin Nek. My personal preference is toned. Here for example is one of mine, which 'in the hand' is a nice almost-black-with-hints-of-golden brown. Obviously I've adjusted the photo so it's as close to real life on my laptop, so might appear different to you. But I'd hope you'd agree, it's not unpleasing?

However I have had coins where the toning was patchy, speckly or oddly uneven and so the coin wasn't as attractive. But generally I like my coins to look as if they have been around a few years (which they have) rather than freshly minted.

Of course it's all a matter of personal preference I guess. And perhaps the age of the coin. Modern stuff ( post 1816) I don't find so bad if it's bright, though I still prefer a bit of colour. And oddly, ancients, like Roman and Greek, it's common to find they have been dipped to clean off the centuries of crud. Just be careful to only experiment on cheap coins, don't use anything abrasive that leaves scratches and leave copper alone I reckon.

Edited March 13, 2013 by TomGoodheart

[Nek17]

I haven never used other 'least damage' methods - e.g. vinegar+soda powder, so will see the effect and damage later - unless there are people really prefer full dark brown or black tonings?

Depends on the coin Nek. My personal preference is toned. Here for example is one of mine, which 'in the hand' is a nice almost-black-with-hints-of-golden brown. Obviously I've adjusted the photo so it's as close to real life on my laptop, so might appear different to you. But I'd hope you'd agree, it's not unpleasing?

This is a beautiful one! I like the even, greyish dark toning. I guess I won't mind any toning on hammy at all, only on the milled one as you said some patchy toning or something covered most of the details. I will post my test result on this schilling later tonight

[Nek17]

I have tried the vinegar baking soda method, only dipped for a few seconds. Result is encouraging: I can def see more details now after black toning is removed. I also tried to see the surface loss/damage under 40X magnifier but hard to see any. So I think this method could be the one to use, if, I have to clean up some ugly toning; soapy water gentle wash should be the only way.

Left: Before, Right: After.