Rhino Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 I just got in the mail the 1771 5 Kopek (EM) I recently won on ebay. Now, I like the case it's in, but I noticed that from all the years in this case, it appears that the coin itself left a rim of dirt on the inside surface of the circular "shell" that holds it, which kind of takes away from the presentation of the case... Also, this is my very first Russian copper coin - is it worth cleaning it? I see some of the "shinier" copper peeking from underneath the dark brown, oxidized layer, and it's very tempting to clean it... Or is that a sin lol? I only paid $8 for this coin. Here are some pictures of both the coin and the condition of the interior shell (you can see the ring of dirt on the inside edges): http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2108.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2107.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2104.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2103.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2101.jpg All opinions welcomed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobh Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 I just got in the mail the 1771 5 Kopek (EM) I recently won on ebay. Now, I like the case it's in, but I noticed that from all the years in this case, it appears that the coin itself left a rim of dirt on the inside surface of the circular "shell" that holds it, which kind of takes away from the presentation of the case... Also, this is my very first Russian copper coin - is it worth cleaning it? I see some of the "shinier" copper peeking from underneath the dark brown, oxidized layer, and it's very tempting to clean it... Or is that a sin lol? I only paid $8 for this coin. Here are some pictures of both the coin and the condition of the interior shell (you can see the ring of dirt on the inside edges): http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2108.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2107.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2104.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2103.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/sub...ac/IMG_2101.jpg All opinions welcomed! It's a sin (most sins ARE tempting, of course! ). Cleaning a coin lessens its value, and in the case of copper coins, I think they look VERY ugly when cleaned. The only exception I would make is in the case of noticeable green verdigris, and then I would soak it in olive oil. Since yours has no verdigris that I can see, there is absolutely nothing to be gained by cleaning this one. Since this "slab" is not a grading service slab, you might think about taking the coin out and cleaning the inside of the slab? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 If it were mine, I'd leave it alone. A little dirt never hurt a good coin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 I will be the bad guy here. I say break it out. It should never have gone in there in the first place. set it free, so you can enjoy this wonderful big chunk of history. Fingerprints wont hurt this coin. At the same time, dont clean it. Its hundreds of years of patina is what give it its character and charm. Cleaning will actually REMOVE the detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigistenz Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 I will be the bad guy here. I say break it out. It should never have gone in there in the first place. set it free, so you can enjoy this wonderful big chunk of history. Fingerprints wont hurt this coin. At the same time, dont clean it. Its hundreds of years of patina is what give it its character and charm. Cleaning will actually REMOVE the detail. I agree 100% ! Sigi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 Lots of good stuff here, to keep your big coins so that you can admire them and display them, as well as keep them sate... http://www.lighthouse.us/epages/lighthouse.sf/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted February 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 Thanks for all the help, guys! This all is tempting me to get more coppers now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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