How do I clean uncleaned (dirty with patina) ancient Roman coins? with vinegar?

I have several uncleaned ancient roman bronze coins, and would like to clean them safely to remove the centuries-old patina and dirt. This is a project for me and my 4-yr old son. Thank you!

Cleaning artifacts can devalue them. I'd proceed with caution if you later plan to sell them. In any case, I'd begin with the most gentle methods and work up as needed.

I would start with plain old hot water. Put them in a glass baking dish and pour steaming but not quite boiling water on them. Stir gently with a wooden spoon and let soak for 15 minutes. Remove and swab dry with a fairly fluffy towel (a washcloth would be good).

The nice thing about using a sequence of cleaning techniques is that some coins won't need as much as others and also you get to appreciate the gradual revelation of detail.

2005-12-17 14:41:35 by trojan fan | Posted in History


Uncleaned Ancient Coins


LOT of 10 Uncleaned Ancient Roman AE2 follis
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$15.99
Bids: 1
End time: 08-Feb-12 08:51:21 PST
LOT of 4 Uncleaned Ancient Roman As
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$15.99
Bids: 0
End time: 08-Feb-12 08:46:51 PST
LOT of 5 Uncleaned Ancient Roman Large Follis
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$19.99
Bids: 0
End time: 08-Feb-12 08:44:45 PST
Lot of 150 Ancient Roman Uncleaned Coins AE3+ AE4 CHIPPED
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$99.99Buy It Now: $179.99
Bids: 0
End time: 08-Feb-12 08:38:33 PST
Lot of 50 Ancient Roman Uncleaned Coins AE3
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$69.99
Bids: 1
End time: 08-Feb-12 08:35:46 PST
Lot of 65 Ancient Roman Uncleaned Coins AE3
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$79.99
Bids: 1
End time: 08-Feb-12 08:33:32 PST
Lot of 50 Ancient Roman Uncleaned Coins AE4
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$69.99
Bids: 0
End time: 08-Feb-12 08:30:56 PST
Lot of 65 Ancient Roman Uncleaned Coins AE4
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$79.99
Bids: 1
End time: 08-Feb-12 08:29:16 PST
★ UNCLEANED ROMAN COINS ★ LOT OF 50 ★ ANCIENT COINS ★ ROME ★ UNSEARCHED ★
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$54.95
Bids: 0
End time: 06-Feb-12 04:42:16 PST
10 PREMIUM ROMAN UNCLEANED ANCIENT COINS + FREE RUBY BONUS
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$27.85
Bids: 0
End time: 06-Feb-12 03:44:43 PST
5 ANCIENT COINS UNCLEANED UNSEARCHED 17th.CENTURY
European
$5.90
Bids: 0
End time: 12-Feb-12 02:56:04 PST
4 ANCIENT ROMAN EMPIRE COINS UNCLEANED UNSEARCHED 2-4th..CENTURY
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$5.90
Bids: 0
End time: 12-Feb-12 02:55:30 PST
★ UNCLEANED ROMAN COINS ★ LOT OF 100 ★ ANCIENT SMALL COINS ★ ROME ★ UNSEARCHED ★
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$99.95
Bids: 0
End time: 06-Feb-12 01:26:55 PST
LARGE UNCLEANED ROMAN COINS - AE1 2 - RANGE 19-36mm
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$24.95
Best Offer Enabled
End time: 08-Feb-12 00:30:54 PST
LOT 500 UNCLEANED ROMAN ANCIENT COINS ANTIQUES TREASURE
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$999.95
Best Offer Enabled
End time: 11-Feb-12 21:45:30 PST
385 HIGH GRADE PREMIUM ROMAN UNCLEANED ANCIENT COINS ~
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$899.80
Best Offer Enabled
End time: 07-Feb-12 21:34:11 PST
Lot of 5 UNCLEANED ANCIENT ROMAN COINS & 8oz MINT STATE RESTORATION CLEANER set
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$14.95
Bids: 1
End time: 05-Feb-12 20:54:49 PST
18 Uncleaned Late Roman Bronze Coins 17-20 mm
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$7.01
Bids: 3
End time: 11-Feb-12 19:31:45 PST
12 Uncleaned Roman Bronze Antoniniani
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$0.99
Bids: 1
End time: 11-Feb-12 19:23:39 PST
24 Authentic UNCleaned SMALL ANCIENT ROMAN Coins most under 15mm 8303
Roman > Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
$129.00
End time: 05-Mar-12 19:25:12 PST
View more items

Uncleaned Ancient Coins - News


Natural law and conservatism
RenewAmerica - Aug 10, 2009
Among the five ancient kinds of conservatism, natural law is the second oldest. Natural law ideas were vital to the American founding fathers. and more »