Caution is the rule when attempting to remove the debris from an uncleaned coin. Many of the Roman or ancient coins that are popular among collectors have been out of circulation for hundreds of years, and have collected layers of encrustations and deposits. It is easy to scratch or ruin some of the older coins, so use only gentle products for coin cleaning. The first step is to use hot water and a soft soapy toothbrush. This will reveal the general condition of the coin and let you know what you need for the next step of cleaning. If there is a thin layer of oxidation on an otherwise nice-looking coin, it will need to be cleaned by hand. Some uncleaned coins are fragile and can actually be broken during the cleaning process. To avoid the most fragile coins, verify that the seller has done a stress test of the coin to see if it is crystallized to the point of breaking in half. Too much force will break any ancient coin, but a moderate amount will ensure the coin is not too fragile. The only thing that should be removed in cleaning is the dirt and deposits. The coin should not be cleaned down to the bare metal. A thin layer of patination should remain intact. If scraping is required, make certain to use caution to avoid damage to the value of the uncleaned coin. A scalpel is often the scraping tool of choice.
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