Clean coins with steam?

He was very clear that this is conservation, not cleaning. Not sure I'm convinced!

 

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Hey.. I have one of those steamers to clean my bathrooms and kitchen. I'm going to try that!

 

That's better than me using my sandblaster all the time.

 

That was definitely one of my big concerns as well.

 

An idea I have toyed with but haven't done much on is using a microwave oven. If the coin is immersed in water, it can't go much above 100 degrees C.

 

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-new-way-to-clean-coins.20389/

 

not sure if any impurity from water used can spit out and damage the coin during the process, ie calcium deposit in steamer.

 

Steam is a form of heat and we all know what heat can do to a coin. I'd process with caution and due diligence.

 

I was amazed at how well placing a badly damaged nickel above my shower drain worked at cleaning up the coin. It's still in there and has been for more than two months now. The intention is not to restore this coin, but simply to make it recognizable to a store clerk. Not enough of the gunk has been removed to see the date yet. I expect it'll be one from the 70s. I think there's some plus to steam cleaning.

 

This is actually a really interesting idea. I would suppose the molecules of the coin would vibrate at different rates than the contaminants, thus loosening it. Please post a video when you conduct this experiment!

 

It works quite well with other proprietary applied parameters.

Even without proper optimum application of the other variables, since the heating source is generally the coin surface, the conservation action is a driving force outward from the surface.

The magnetron energy intensity, liquid variables, container variables, pressure, etc., can be very crucial in the success of the process.

JMHO

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superheated_water#/media/File:Pressure_cooker_oval_lid.jpg

 

Water under pressure can be interesting, I read once about one of the mini-subs investigating the "black smokers" under great depths of ocean when the driver noticed the nose of the sub was deforming because of the heat generated at such depths. If memory serves it was 1000+ degrees!!!

 

Yeah, I would have the coins under water...

 

Never cleaned a coin using steam always dipped. If your going to steam coin practice on some junk coins first.

 

Would having the coins in water stop the metal from making an arc in the microwave and destroying it?