Toothpaste for cleaning silver?

[Philoromaos]

Remember seeing somewhere that you can use toothpaste for cleaning silver coins. Wondered if this was suitable method or if this would be damaging to the surfaces of the coin?

[Dino]

I would imagine that it would depend on the toothpaste.  I've had very good results cleaning silver coins chemically using either lemon juice dips or dips in CLR.

[CzarMike]

Whiting tooth paste usually has little bits of silica (sand) in it, I have used it to rub scratches off a cd before.

[areich]

Polishing your silver coins this way is exactly what grandmas will do if you let them get their hands on the coins! 

[casata137ec]

I would imagine that this would end up scratching the hell out of the coin...maybe not to plain site, but as soon as a loupe was used the scratches would be clear (and value shot accordingly).

Chris

[Aarmale]

On the bright side, you'd have your uncleaneds smelling minty for months!

[Lloyd Taylor]

Recommended only if your coins have plaque...which is unlikely. 

It is quite abrasive. Leave the toothpaste for your teeth!

[DirtyBronze]

a giant no no