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I was cleaning a Roman coin find all wrong for years
I always soaked my metal finds in vinegar to get the crust off, thinking it was gentle. Found a coin near Hadrian's Wall last month that came out looking pink and pitted. A curator at the local museum took one look and said, 'You're eating the history.' Now I just use a soft brush and distilled water. Anyone have a better method for really tough corrosion that won't damage the metal?
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umar4911d ago
Honestly, that curator sounds a bit dramatic. A little pitting on one coin isn't erasing history. Vinegar works fine on most common finds. For the really crusty stuff, I've had luck with a long soak in olive oil. It's slow, but it loosens things up without the harsh reaction.
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jamesf2911d ago
My uncle once cleaned a Roman coin with cola.
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