Cleaning

[fiddle-fart]

I know this isn't the proper place for this but it is about lincoln cents.

Has any one tried to clean ( per say ) a dirty coin using hand sanatizer and a toothpick.

I tried it with a few dirty coins and it seemed to do the trick in cleaning( and they smell good too )

My question is, would this be acepptable(?) in doing so versus gunk or the other products on the market?

Thanks
Mike

[eagames]

I'd say it's ok but would only do it if the gunk was already ruining the coin. Other than that I keep the gunk as is.

A gentle was should be ok for any coin, it's when you do more that it causes damage.

[Bob P]

I have been using Goo-Gone for years, and it has never ruined a coin on me. It is non acidic and is good for removing the gunk. It does not change the color or luster either.
I have never tried hand sanitizer, but I would be concerned what happens to the coins in the long run, especially if the sanitizer is not washed off completely. What ever you use, it should never be rubbed on. Only soaking of the coins, with the occasional removal of the thicker stuff between the devices with clean green thorn should be considered.

[Dick]

Mike, I agree, and will add a bit of caoutin. I ise goo-gone, and also let them soak for a month in mineral iol. Then when the gunk is softened up, I use a thorn from my Dwarf sweet lime tree. Now this is where it gets "iffy": some of that gunk has been there "forever"! I have seen it come off, and fing bright luster under it. I have no idea what effect that would be, BUT, personally, I like clean coins, which allow me to see what is under. That way I KNOW what I have, rather that tossing it back with the others, not knowing it was a "keeper", anf very possiblty the one I needed to complete the set, in that folder. Hope this helps.
Dick