[id10t]

I have a few pre-civil war american coins (and some just after WW1 euro stuff, and a 1812 half penny - netherlands I think) and I need to clean them up.

No, not remove tarnish, etc. but actually clean them. They've been stored in an old box, then another old box, then an old bedside table, then I got them. And promptly stuck them in yet another old bedside table box that was a stash box of mine from high school, so there is dust, dirt, ashes, etc. all over them. No stuck on grunge or anything though...

So, I want to remove dust, dirt, etc. but NOT scrub them, bring the finish back, etc. (I know thats a BIG no-no).

I assume just some running water and finger rubbing would be OK, then dry completely by patting with super absorbent paper towel?

Also, anyone know where to find values on the euro coins? Every coin collecting value reference I can find is for US coins, nothing euro. And I'm sure these 1917 marks, francs, etc. are worth something...