Some Useful Tips That I Can Share


1) Patience is a virtue. I know that it is said way too often, but they are
words to heed. I have destroyed many decent coins due to haste.

2) Don't let people and their comments get to you. A good percentage of ancient
coin collectors believe in only two methods; distilled water and olive oil.
To many, this is scripture, and ye be cast to the fiery depths
of hell if ye stray. Experiment and have fun. Afterall, someone had to discover olive oil and
distilled water for soaking coins at some time. A good group of people
can be found at
Coinzappers .
They are interested in new techniques and learning
and are non-judgmental.

3) As for basic tools that I personally use, I utilize the following.
A) Digital Postal Scale for weighing coins
B) Digital caliper for measuring coins
C) A Tool Shop "Dremel". I use cordless, since the
electric versions are too powerful. Actually I have
two, so I always have one ready to go with 4 batteries.
I bought it at Menards for $25 each.
D) Various Dremel bits, mostly bought from WidgetSupply.com; such
as soft nylon cups and soft/medium horsehair wheels, for
cleaning and buffing.
E) Specialized Dremel bits, bought from Kevin at
nobleromancoins.com. These work great in hand-held
pin-vises.
F) Diamond Dusted Dental Picks- also bought at
nobleromancoins. You will never go back to standard
stainless picks after trying these. They're expensive,
but even with me on a limited budget, think they
are worth their weight in gold.
G) For most soaking, I use Distilled Water with approximately
1 tablespoon of sodium carbonate per quart dissolved into
the water. Sodium carbonate is also called washing soda.
I have never had a bad experience using this, and seems to
speed up the soaking process. I bought a 5 gallon
bucket at a pool supply store on the web for $30, and
have barely made a dent in it after 6 months.

4) Keep an eye on your water, if it is starting to get murky,
it should be changed. Some people say it doesn't matter,
but for me, every 2 to 3 days, I change my water. The
distilled water will absorb minerals from the dirt encasing
the coins, and will eventually be unable to absorb any
more from the coin. This absortion of minerals is what loosens the
"grip" the dirt has on your coin.This is the concept of using distilled
water (since it has no minerals, and water "likes"
to have minerals.)

5) I'd recommend trying new techniques out on culls and damaged
coins. We all get them in uncleaned lots... might as well
put them to use.

6) Don't use salt if you dabble into electrolysis. It will eat pits into
your coins. I don't care what others say... especially the little
gadgets you buy on ebay that says to use salt. Trust me..
DON'T use salt!

7) If scraping a coin with an instrument such as a dental pick,
use small circular motions, not straight back and forth. This will
not only save you time and works more effectively, there is less
chance of slipping and scratching the coin to the metal.