Clean a tarnished 1990 Kookaburra?

Discussion in 'Silver Coins' started by Henry Wartooth, Nov 23, 2012.

  1. Henry Wartooth

    Henry Wartooth New Member

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    I have a 1990 Kook in it's original capsule that's tarnished heavily around the edges (not very airtight I guess!). Personally, I prefer shiny bullion...but would this ruin it's "collectors" value?
     
  2. malachii

    malachii Well-Known Member

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    Yes - it would ruin any collector value and NO - DONT CLEAN IT!!!!

    malachii
     
  3. JollyKillBill

    JollyKillBill Member

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    Do not clean Perth mint coin's, ever
    Otherwise why not just send it to get re-melted, don't do that, its only a little bit dark
     
  4. spannermonkey

    spannermonkey Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    don't do it ,those early kooks should have some toning on them , now its just melt value ;)
     
  5. Henry Wartooth

    Henry Wartooth New Member

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    Thanks for the advice. I guess it'll have to stay tarnished!
     
  6. SilverSurfer77

    SilverSurfer77 Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    I will swap you a nice shiney 2012 kook for your tarnished 1990 one and even pay postage both ways :)
     
  7. metalzzz

    metalzzz Well-Known Member

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    Any deals for me?
     
  8. alor

    alor Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    I have this iron brush [​IMG], may be can turn the coin bullion again :lol:
     
  9. Photonaware

    Photonaware Active Member

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    Drop in hot water with bicarb on aluminium foil and watch the black disappear in a few minutes.
    Rinse and pat try with absorbent paper towel.
    Don't rub.
    Cannot see how that would impact the coin as you are not scrubbing or polishing at all.
    I too prefer the all-over shiny look.
     
  10. JollyKillBill

    JollyKillBill Member

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    Just the whole thing sounds so bad for the coin. Like when you drop it onto the aluminum (which is metal) will possibly put small scratches on the coin, handling the silver with your bare hands (hand oils) you may also know that china makes a crap load of fakes, also perth mint has re-struck the kooks, so the tarnish is kind of another way of spotting a fake or a re-strike, so I don't fully understand why people would want to clean a numismatic bullion coin.

    But I do prefer my bullion shiny TBCH, I just would not dare open the PM capsule

    IMHO if you want to clean an old kook, don't, just sell it here on silver stackers and get a re-struck kook instead.
     
  11. goldpelican

    goldpelican Administrator Staff Member

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    1990 Kooks weren't restruck - the full run of 300,000 were minted that year. Presumably there's been substantial population shrinkage over the years. I would never clean a 1990 Kook. Even toned they still attract very good premiums over spot - and because of the capsule lack of seal, i reckon 99% would have significant edge toning. Key date for a collection.

    Bicarb method will scratch a coin like that with mirror surfaces, and render it bullion.
     
  12. MetalMensch

    MetalMensch Member Silver Stacker

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    I wonder if the foil and bicarb deal would be ok for some slightly tarnishes PM 10oz cars? no real intrinsic value past the brand and size.
     
  13. Philski

    Philski Member

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    i have noticed direct sunlight on thermo plastics tarnishes silver and even copper and cupro nickel coins to a lesser extent within a year. I lost a stack of RAM Rolls that had been containered for individual sale. and a few hundred 925 chains. left hanging in the sun/. I renewed the chains sparkle with bicarb and aluminium. Shiny sells, dull brown ugly sells for less. in any commodity.

    They are all stored in the correct modern plastics for coins too. the stuff in the shade is still spot on.

    cleaning on the kook? unless its ugly.. dont.
     

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