Visit The Diggers Den at dddetectors.com for all of your metal detecting needs, and be sure to use my code STEFDIGS at checkout! You can also reach out to me on Facebook Messenger (Stef Tanguay) and email (stefdigs@gmail.com) for assistance on selecting the most appropriate gear for you, as well as the best deals we have available!
I can honestly say that this is the first time I have seen these pencils used. Have heard a lot about em but hadn't actually checked them out. Thanks for the informative and video Stef. HH and be well
Thanks for the info on the pencils. I started my detecting hobby way back in 1974, and so have spent lots of time cleaning my finds. One of the more odd methods I picked up on years ago was the use of spaghetti(uncooked of course). Wet the coin and gently work the spaghetti to remove organic crud. It will soften as you work with it, so just break the end off and keep going. It will not damage patina and gets into the details quite well. Cleaning of dug coins has always been a touchy subject for some folks out there, but you are right that it is your coin to do as you please. Dealers won't give you anything for dug coins anyway, so go for it.
Exactly! They're priceless to us, and worthless to dealers. A lot of people are against cleaning. Cool spaghetti method! If I don't use the pencils, sometimes I'll let my coppers sunbake if I think they'll flake naturally, then use hydrogen peroxide on a q-tip, it just a toothpick. I dug a beautiful 1803 Draped Bust last year that only needed to flake - doesn't happen often! Thanks for watching!
As a budding metal detectorist (haven't purchase a machine jusstt yet...LOL) I wanted to see how, once the hunt is over, what to do next as far as cleaning coins, relics, etc. Learning a lot from your vids too on history and reference books that are used as well. I'm soaking in the ins-&-outs about this wonderful hobby. I'll check in with you sometime about what machine would be suitable for a beginner on a beer budget. I plan on detecting at a few of the ten thousand lakes and farm fields here in west central rural MN (gotta do the legwork first). Thank you for the informative content!
There’s soooo much to learn about cleaning certain coins, depending on the conditions, not the mention relics - I wouldn’t even know where to begin, lol! If you’ve got a specific question or relic/coin that you find once you start detecting, you can always email me with photos and I’ll help as best I can!
Very informative video Stef! I love the I learned something about how you restore your relics and coins from your dogs! Thank you for sharing great content!
Loved the great tutorial on cleaning coins. I went straight to eBay and ordered a set for myself. Keep doing the great videos. Maybe next time you can give us a tale about how you began detecting
I always wondered how everybody was cleaning their finds with the Andrés pencils, thank you for showing me both the products and how to use them. All of the coins and that button cleaned up beautifully with how well you worked with those pencils. I also want to thank you for saying about "it belongs to me so I'll clean it the way I want!!" That's how it is supposed be. If it's yours, if you're not planning on selling it, clean it however you want 🤷😀
Exactly! Clean it however you want - I (uncharacteristically) have a few thumbs down on the video this week, which I completely expected. There are a lot of know-it-all coin purists out there who think they are allowed to get angry over other people cleaning coins, but if it’s your coin or relic, you have the right to clean it however you’d like. Thanks as always for watching! 😊
@@StefDigs I've honestly gotten pissed off seeing comments to others about how they clean their finds. I'm like it's none of your dang (other word of course, not actually typed out, said it out loud here at home) business! They found it, it's theirs, mind you're business 😡
Yes, I’ve heard that works very well! In terms of these pencils, I personally rarely use anything but the steel wool pencil - not as abrasive as the others.
Very informative, thank you! I dug two encrusted early wheaties ( 1913 and 1918 ) on Tuesday and did the toothpick thing. But like you said, another tool in the arsenal.
Thank you! Yup, just another tool in the arsenal - I have a bunch! The one I use most, actually, is a brass brush since I tend to find mostly colonial flat buttons. Very quick and effective method to clean buttons (but not coins!).
Thank you! If you collect old brass buttons (like colonial flat buttons), you can also clean them quickly and effectively with a fine bristle brass brush under running water - I like to add soap, too. I only do these for my flat buttons that have no true historical or monetary value. I would use the pencils or even less abrasive methods on George Washington Inaugurals or military buttons. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for watching! Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't - depends on whether I think it'll enhance the appearance or make the coin look as though it has more even toning.
It’s truly a case by case basis, but generally speaking I’ll do one or the other. On rare occasions when I can tell the copper is in excellent condition under the dirt and verdigris, I’ll use both the Andres pencils and hydrogen peroxide. I had a couple of Draped Busts turn out nicely that way!
Is there two different mesh sizes on the opposite ends of Andre wire brush pencils? Hard to tell in vid. What kind/size of gauge of brass brush is appropriate? Is the peroxide used full strength or 1/2 & 1/2 w/water? How does one sharpen the Andres pencils to keep the point sharp? Does renaissance wax alone seal the coin? I hear a lot about using electrolysis...what is this technique used on..coins? relics? silver? The Indian head copper looked like it had a copper sheen to it after you brushed it...looked super cool. Thank you for showing the ropes of cleaning with the Andres pencils. I hadn't seen any other channels using them yet.
I’ll try to answer these questions as best I can! There are 2 different sizes on the tougher pencils, yet. Not much of a difference though. Brass brush = only buy a fine bristle brass brush. Be sure it’s not magnetic, because that means there is steel present. You can buy them on Amazon. I was using hydrogen peroxide in the video, but depending on what/how I’m cleaning a coin will determine when I use hydrogen peroxide or not. You can use any regular pencil sharpener to sharpen the Andres pencils. Yes, Renaissance Wax seals the coins (and relics) when you apply a thin coating. Electrolysis = it looks like crap on coins, typically, so I reserve it for iron. Ok, I think I got them all, lol! Hope this helps!
I recently decided to clean my relics and there are a few coins and tokens I also want to clean up, so thanks so much for the great info on these pencils. Never seen them before. This may be a silly question, but when they get really worn out, can you sharpen them like a pencil or use a knife to wittle the edges to get fresh surface to use? Thank you!
They’re great tools! Yes, you can sharpen them with a pencil sharpener, although they’re slightly thinner than a standard pencil. You can whittle them too without a problem. Works on all pencils except for the brush tool which, as you saw, extends on its own anyway. Thanks for watching!
Hi stef, I was wondering if you do this with your naked eye or if you use magnification? I used to do it with just my eyes but I ran across a 30x magnification lited magnifier on a stand originally made for putting on makeup at a garage sale . It has been the best $7 I have ever spent .....
I usually try and use magnification if I can, but I couldn’t while I was filming (I was sitting behind the tripod attached to the ringlight, so it wasn’t easy, lol!).
As you said Stef, there are those who are adimant about not cleaning found coins. However, when you have a metal discoidal object which cannot be identified, like you also said @10:40, what do you have to lose by cleaning it? I like to know what it is that I have found. If once cleaned, it can be identified and it is a rarity, yes, it is worth less than an uncleaned similar specimen. But before cleaning, its worth was zero so...I gots to know! - SB
What a helpful video - thank you! I have a set of Andre's pencils but wasn't sure how to use them so seeing you use them was awesome! A few questions though - if it's just dirt on your coins couldn't you just soak them in water or hydrogen peroxide? (not really old ones, more like IHP's.) Will any of the pencils work on silver or how (if at all) would you advise cleaning those? My walker half dollar has black schmooze on part of the coin that I'm not crazy about but don't want to do anything that might harm it. Thank you again Stef for such an amazing channel!
Thanks so much for watching! First, do NOT use these on silver - they will scratch the surface. For your Walker, you can soak it in lemon juice or use baking soda and water mixed into a thick paste, then rub between your fingers. The preferred method for cleaning silver is a bit longer to explain but it involves tinfoil, baking soda, and boiling water (you can do a UA-cam or Google search). You can soak IHPs in hydrogen peroxide to get the crud off, too - that works well and I’ve done it many times before! Sitting them in water will not work, though. Hope this helps! ☺️
Yes, 100%! Always start with the least abrasive method. The step after toothpicking (if it’s not effective enough) should be the brush tool. Bottom line: don’t be in a rush when you’re cleaning, enjoy the process. 😊
Thank you! I’m sure your coin will come - I do have one restoration video up from several months ago, if you search “iron restoration” or “restoring iron” in my channel, you’ll find it - can’t recall the name of the episode right now but there is a MA state copper in the thumbnail and the restoration is at the end of the video.
Очень интересный инструмент! С удовольствием его попробовал бы в деле, только он в России не продается... Приходится пользоваться тем, что у нас доступно. Все равно спасибо за интересное видео с новыми для меня инструментами. Желаю всего наилучшего!!!
He actually did a short video on the pencils a couple of years ago, hah! He doesn't clean many of his finds, though. A lot of them go to the local museum. :-)
A Brillo pad never leaves patina on a coin - what type of coins are you cleaning with a Brillo pad where the patina stays? That’s never been the case for me.
@@jrm2716 Brillo pads don't leave scratches that are visible to the naked eye, but they'll leave microscratches that are visible under a microscrope. You should only use a Brillo pad in extreme measures, particularly on Nickels where you have nothing to lose. Brillo pads certainly do not work as well as the pencils, and they do not leave the patina behind as Ronald mentioned - that information isn't correct, unless he is using them on foreign coins that I know nothing about.
Visit The Diggers Den at dddetectors.com for all of your metal detecting needs, and be sure to use my code STEFDIGS at checkout! You can also reach out to me on Facebook Messenger (Stef Tanguay) and email (stefdigs@gmail.com) for assistance on selecting the most appropriate gear for you, as well as the best deals we have available!
Traducir gracias
I can honestly say that this is the first time I have seen these pencils used. Have heard a lot about em but hadn't actually checked them out. Thanks for the informative and video Stef. HH and be well
No problem, Ezra! Glad the video was helpful!
Awesome video, now I know how to use these, thanks! Love your hair too!
Thanks for watching, glad it’s helpful! And thanks for the hair compliment, couldn’t possibly style it any other way at this point! 😉
Thanks for the info on the pencils. I started my detecting hobby way back in 1974, and so have spent lots of time cleaning my finds. One of the more odd methods I picked up on years ago was the use of spaghetti(uncooked of course). Wet the coin and gently work the spaghetti to remove organic crud. It will soften as you work with it, so just break the end off and keep going. It will not damage patina and gets into the details quite well. Cleaning of dug coins has always been a touchy subject for some folks out there, but you are right that it is your coin to do as you please. Dealers won't give you anything for dug coins anyway, so go for it.
Exactly! They're priceless to us, and worthless to dealers. A lot of people are against cleaning. Cool spaghetti method! If I don't use the pencils, sometimes I'll let my coppers sunbake if I think they'll flake naturally, then use hydrogen peroxide on a q-tip, it just a toothpick. I dug a beautiful 1803 Draped Bust last year that only needed to flake - doesn't happen often! Thanks for watching!
As a budding metal detectorist (haven't purchase a machine jusstt yet...LOL) I wanted to see how, once the hunt is over, what to do next as far as cleaning coins, relics, etc. Learning a lot from your vids too on history and reference books that are used as well. I'm soaking in the ins-&-outs about this wonderful hobby. I'll check in with you sometime about what machine would be suitable for a beginner on a beer budget. I plan on detecting at a few of the ten thousand lakes and farm fields here in west central rural MN (gotta do the legwork first). Thank you for the informative content!
There’s soooo much to learn about cleaning certain coins, depending on the conditions, not the mention relics - I wouldn’t even know where to begin, lol! If you’ve got a specific question or relic/coin that you find once you start detecting, you can always email me with photos and I’ll help as best I can!
Very informative video Stef! I love the I learned something about how you restore your relics and coins from your dogs!
Thank you for sharing great content!
Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed the video! :-)
I'm just getting to all of your videos, thank you for the knowledge and I can't wait to get out there.
That’s awesome! Thank you for watching! If you don’t already have a machine, let me know and I can get you a deal on just about anything!
I’ve had my pencils for at least six months; I’ve just started using them, thank you for sharing.
That’s awesome, thank you for watching! Glad it was helpful! 😊
Loved the great tutorial on cleaning coins. I went straight to eBay and ordered a set for myself. Keep doing the great videos. Maybe next time you can give us a tale about how you began detecting
Thank you! And that’s not a bad idea, at some point I may make a video about my journey. ☺️
Stef I got a set of these and they are great thank you.
They’re great pencils! Glad you’re enjoying them!
Cool video, never seen the pencils in use. Thanks for sharing with everyone Stef!
Thanks Tony! It's always been difficult for me to find a good, solid cleaning video with these pencils. Was definitely time to make one, myself!
One must explore options, Stef. Informative. Experience is A Priceless Relic. Thanks!
Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!
Ty so much for putting this video out . i just got my pencils and find this video very helpful . so excited to use them now lol
That is awesome, glad you tripped across my video and that it’s helpful! 😊
Best coin cleaning video I’ve seen
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Stef Digs I’m going to ask a stupid question. Do you sharpen them in a regular pencil sharpener?
I always wondered how everybody was cleaning their finds with the Andrés pencils, thank you for showing me both the products and how to use them. All of the coins and that button cleaned up beautifully with how well you worked with those pencils. I also want to thank you for saying about "it belongs to me so I'll clean it the way I want!!" That's how it is supposed be. If it's yours, if you're not planning on selling it, clean it however you want 🤷😀
Exactly! Clean it however you want - I (uncharacteristically) have a few thumbs down on the video this week, which I completely expected. There are a lot of know-it-all coin purists out there who think they are allowed to get angry over other people cleaning coins, but if it’s your coin or relic, you have the right to clean it however you’d like. Thanks as always for watching! 😊
@@StefDigs I've honestly gotten pissed off seeing comments to others about how they clean their finds. I'm like it's none of your dang (other word of course, not actually typed out, said it out loud here at home) business! They found it, it's theirs, mind you're business 😡
👍💖👍AWESOME..thanks for sharing
Sure thing, hope it helps! Thanks for watching!
Good job, Stef. I use Andre's Pencils and I love them. On some finds it's miraculous... on others, not so much.
Yes, definitely mixed results - it’s all about knowing when to use them, as you know! I don’t use them a ton but sometimes, they’re a great solution.
A sharpened bamboo chopstick works great as well. You can use a pencil sharpener to keep the point fresh.
Yes, I’ve heard that works very well! In terms of these pencils, I personally rarely use anything but the steel wool pencil - not as abrasive as the others.
Loved it. It was so interesting.
Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Great job Stef! They all look good 👍
Thank you! 😄
Very informative, thank you! I dug two encrusted early wheaties ( 1913 and 1918 ) on Tuesday and did the toothpick thing. But like you said, another tool in the arsenal.
Thank you! Yup, just another tool in the arsenal - I have a bunch! The one I use most, actually, is a brass brush since I tend to find mostly colonial flat buttons. Very quick and effective method to clean buttons (but not coins!).
Love learning new things. Thanks!
Thanks for watching, as always! Hope the video was helpful! ☺️
Cool video! Now I want some of those pencils!!!!
Happy Hunters Metal Detecting Get them! Great tools to have, for sure!
First time I have ever seen these being used- wow! No wonder everyone loves them! I gotta get me some, thanks for the video!
No problem! Glad you enjoyed it! :-)
Thanks for the video. I have a set and i didn't no i could pull the brush out!😬
Glad I could show you something new, hah! 😄 Thanks for watching!
Wow very nice. I collect old buttons. These might be nice to clean them.
Tfs.
Thank you! If you collect old brass buttons (like colonial flat buttons), you can also clean them quickly and effectively with a fine bristle brass brush under running water - I like to add soap, too. I only do these for my flat buttons that have no true historical or monetary value. I would use the pencils or even less abrasive methods on George Washington Inaugurals or military buttons. Thanks for watching!
Thanks Stef, on how to clean copper coins with those pencils. I went out and ordered a set to use.
Awesome! They’re fun - I don’t use them for everything, but when the situation calls for them, they are the best!
Thank you for your videos. Do you put wax on your coins after cleaning?
Thanks for watching! Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't - depends on whether I think it'll enhance the appearance or make the coin look as though it has more even toning.
Looks pretty good. I always used warm water and a toothbrush. I'll have to give those a try.
They do come out nice! Works a little quicker with the pencils versus toothpicks or a toothbrush.
Can you soak a copper coin in peroxide before you scrape using andres pencils?
It’s truly a case by case basis, but generally speaking I’ll do one or the other. On rare occasions when I can tell the copper is in excellent condition under the dirt and verdigris, I’ll use both the Andres pencils and hydrogen peroxide. I had a couple of Draped Busts turn out nicely that way!
Very informative!
Thank you! Glad it was helpful! 😄
Is there two different mesh sizes on the opposite ends of Andre wire brush pencils? Hard to tell in vid.
What kind/size of gauge of brass brush is appropriate?
Is the peroxide used full strength or 1/2 & 1/2 w/water?
How does one sharpen the Andres pencils to keep the point sharp?
Does renaissance wax alone seal the coin?
I hear a lot about using electrolysis...what is this technique used on..coins? relics? silver?
The Indian head copper looked like it had a copper sheen to it after you brushed it...looked super cool.
Thank you for showing the ropes of cleaning with the Andres pencils. I hadn't seen any other channels using them yet.
I’ll try to answer these questions as best I can!
There are 2 different sizes on the tougher pencils, yet. Not much of a difference though.
Brass brush = only buy a fine bristle brass brush. Be sure it’s not magnetic, because that means there is steel present. You can buy them on Amazon.
I was using hydrogen peroxide in the video, but depending on what/how I’m cleaning a coin will determine when I use hydrogen peroxide or not.
You can use any regular pencil sharpener to sharpen the Andres pencils.
Yes, Renaissance Wax seals the coins (and relics) when you apply a thin coating.
Electrolysis = it looks like crap on coins, typically, so I reserve it for iron.
Ok, I think I got them all, lol! Hope this helps!
Yes! A new video!
Woot woot! 😁
I love the fiberglass pencil. Yes it takes off patina, but wow. Great vid. Thank you 😊
Thank you! I love that pencil, too! Really happy with it.
I recently decided to clean my relics and there are a few coins and tokens I also want to clean up, so thanks so much for the great info on these pencils. Never seen them before. This may be a silly question, but when they get really worn out, can you sharpen them like a pencil or use a knife to wittle the edges to get fresh surface to use? Thank you!
They’re great tools! Yes, you can sharpen them with a pencil sharpener, although they’re slightly thinner than a standard pencil. You can whittle them too without a problem. Works on all pencils except for the brush tool which, as you saw, extends on its own anyway. Thanks for watching!
@@StefDigs Awesome. Thank you
Any time!
I have only used them 2 times love them
They work very well in certain situations, for sure!
Hi stef, I was wondering if you do this with your naked eye or if you use magnification? I used to do it with just my eyes but I ran across a 30x magnification lited magnifier on a stand originally made for putting on makeup at a garage sale . It has been the best $7 I have ever spent .....
I usually try and use magnification if I can, but I couldn’t while I was filming (I was sitting behind the tripod attached to the ringlight, so it wasn’t easy, lol!).
good job Stef!
Thanks Dave!
Well that answers the question on how to clean a coin. Well done.
Well, it’s one way! So many ways to skin a cat, as they say.
👍 Very Informative 👍
Thank you! 😄
As you said Stef, there are those who are adimant about not cleaning found coins. However, when you have a metal discoidal object which cannot be identified, like you also said @10:40, what do you have to lose by cleaning it? I like to know what it is that I have found. If once cleaned, it can be identified and it is a rarity, yes, it is worth less than an uncleaned similar specimen. But before cleaning, its worth was zero so...I gots to know! - SB
Exactly! Nothing to lose if you can’t see anything to begin with. Thanks as always for watching! 😄
I really like the way the French Button turned out.
Thank you, me too! Came out better than I expected!
French turrent button is 16 Regiment Agenois of Infantry from the rev. war very rare, glad you did a good job on it
Thank you so much! I had originally thought Rev War era, but my friend who dug it said early to mid-1800s.
Nooooo you just ruined a $1.25 coin!Lol just kidding,love your video!
Hahaha, thank you! Yeah, I think they’re all worth around that. 😂 Fun to clean them!
The Roman coin is so wonderful to see when you remove the debris of 2000 y.o. dirt..wow !
Thank you! I have to agree - Roman coins tend to hold up very well, which makes cleaning much easier!
What a helpful video - thank you! I have a set of Andre's pencils but wasn't sure how to use them so seeing you use them was awesome! A few questions though - if it's just dirt on your coins couldn't you just soak them in water or hydrogen peroxide? (not really old ones, more like IHP's.) Will any of the pencils work on silver or how (if at all) would you advise cleaning those? My walker half dollar has black schmooze on part of the coin that I'm not crazy about but don't want to do anything that might harm it. Thank you again Stef for such an amazing channel!
Thanks so much for watching! First, do NOT use these on silver - they will scratch the surface. For your Walker, you can soak it in lemon juice or use baking soda and water mixed into a thick paste, then rub between your fingers. The preferred method for cleaning silver is a bit longer to explain but it involves tinfoil, baking soda, and boiling water (you can do a UA-cam or Google search). You can soak IHPs in hydrogen peroxide to get the crud off, too - that works well and I’ve done it many times before! Sitting them in water will not work, though. Hope this helps! ☺️
@@StefDigs that helps a lot - thank you!!
Where did the background song come from ?
Got it from GarageBand on my iMac.
Wouldn't it be better to use a toothpick first to get the dirt off then use the pencil? Just asking.
Yes, 100%! Always start with the least abrasive method. The step after toothpicking (if it’s not effective enough) should be the brush tool. Bottom line: don’t be in a rush when you’re cleaning, enjoy the process. 😊
The coins look great after restoring
Thank you! I’m glad they came out alright, it’s nerve wracking to do that in a video, hah!
thanks again....I need to find a coin worth cleaning....I'd like to see an iron restoration...and other relic restoration...stay safe
Thank you! I’m sure your coin will come - I do have one restoration video up from several months ago, if you search “iron restoration” or “restoring iron” in my channel, you’ll find it - can’t recall the name of the episode right now but there is a MA state copper in the thumbnail and the restoration is at the end of the video.
supporting that Walgreens brand I see!
LOL yup, and it looks... HUGE! 😂
Очень интересный инструмент! С удовольствием его попробовал бы в деле, только он в России не продается... Приходится пользоваться тем, что у нас доступно. Все равно спасибо за интересное видео с новыми для меня инструментами. Желаю всего наилучшего!!!
where can i order
eBay
I buy corrosion coin for cheaper and clean them up myself with the pencils they r awesome
They’re fun to use! I generally only resort to them if a toothpick doesn’t do the trick, but they’ve also helped me clean relics. Quite versatile!
Gee, Stef, I hope Charlie sees this vid. His pocket must weigh a ton with all those coppers he cleans.
He actually did a short video on the pencils a couple of years ago, hah! He doesn't clean many of his finds, though. A lot of them go to the local museum. :-)
Digger Charlie, the pocket copper cleaner?
Kaye's Diggin It Yep! I was looking at other people’s videos a while back and he did a short one on the Andre’s pencils, too.
@@StefDigs Oh okay. I missed that one 🤦 oh well I now have your tutorial ☺👍
Clara Hodgson, Arkansas
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks for watching! Glad it’s helpful! 😊
Oh.my.God.
Good cleaning pencils - not for everyone though, lol. I still sometimes use these on my toasted coppers.
Cómo reprodusco en español
lo siento, no hablo español
Why buy Andre's Pencils when you can do a better job with a Brillo Pad and still leave the patina on the coin.
A Brillo pad never leaves patina on a coin - what type of coins are you cleaning with a Brillo pad where the patina stays? That’s never been the case for me.
@@StefDigs doesn't brillo leave obvious scratches?
@@jrm2716 Brillo pads don't leave scratches that are visible to the naked eye, but they'll leave microscratches that are visible under a microscrope. You should only use a Brillo pad in extreme measures, particularly on Nickels where you have nothing to lose. Brillo pads certainly do not work as well as the pencils, and they do not leave the patina behind as Ronald mentioned - that information isn't correct, unless he is using them on foreign coins that I know nothing about.
@@StefDigs tyvm for the info
Jr M Any time!