Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You may also have luck selling them online. This website uses cookies to improve your experience, but you may opt out if you wish. While it is very possible to clean your pennies without damaging them, it is hard to say the same for the market value of the pennies. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Cleaning them can be a daunting task. So at the very least you need distilled water as a working medium. How to Clean Copper Coins in Seconds: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow Step 3: Add Tarnished Silver Coins. Apply the paste with a microfiber cloth and rinse it off with water. Method 1 Removing Dark Spots with Vinegar Download Article 1 Pour 14 cup (59 mL) of white vinegar into a small bowl. Allow the coins to air-dry on a microfiber or cotton towel. 3 Ways to Clean Ancient Coins - wikiHow Vinegar solutions are effective for removing dark spots on coins, but they also tend to make coins look a little dull. Garret ACE 400 Review When they start to look cleaner, remove them from the bowl. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. They include: Fresh lemon juice Salt White vinegar A toothbrush Baking soda A small container A paper towel. Coins made of nickel and silver will be easily cleaned; however, coins made out of copper will be harder to clean as copper reacts to more materials than other metals. 1 1/2 cups olive oil. If you do have hard water or highly acidic water, try using distilled water. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Required fields are marked *. EBay, one of the most popular online auction sites, charges a 10 percent fee plus listing fees. If you had a rare coin you had cleaned too harshly, and wanted to have it valued, it would reduce the coins value. You want something a bit more gentle for silver coins but you will need a heavier abrasive for your copper pennies. Remember, you dont want to use anything that has abrasive qualities to them because they can scratch the coins. Its best to wear rubber gloves when handling the ketchup and penny because they can both leave your hands stained red if you arent careful! Start by adding a quarter cup of white vinegar, or lemon juice, into a cup or glass. This process only works in fluid. In that event, you would want to avoid anything highly abrasive that could damage the surface of the coin. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Microwaving 2 cups of water for 2-3 minutes should suffice and avoid boiling water. Basically, it all depends on why you are getting your pennies cleaned in the first place. Pull the coins out of the liquid and gently wipe them with a paper towel to break apart the tarnish and dark spots. It is very gentle and can help reveal details on the coin surface you may not be able to see. Rinse off the ketchup and inspect the condition of your coins. They can eliminate or reduce the effects of outside contaminates that have caused issues with your coins. It is always at the discretion of the buyer whether the minute scratches and damaged caused by cleaning is an issue. The advantage is it will not cause any decrease in numismatic value, but there are better options for cleaning materials. How do you clean old copper coins without damaging them? Your fingers contain oils, acids, and minuscule pieces of grit that will adhere to the surface of the coins and cause them to discolor or suffer microscopic scratching. I know it sounds strange, but stay with me. From there, use your brush to gently get the grime off of the coins before putting them back into the water again. Let them soak for a while. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Anyone can use this simple technique. Vinegar will remove any oxides formed on the coin surface. Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part vinegar. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". By using our site, you agree to our. Using a soft cloth, apply your chosen cleaner to the coin and allow it to soak in for five minutes. Approved. Gold Nuggets Metal Detectors The acetic acid in white vinegar can help remove contaminants from your coins. Grab some past with your thumb and forefinger, rubbing it gently onto both sides of the penny. When you have them totally clean, let them air dry and enjoy the bright sheen that your pennies have. There are countless things that it can be used for, cleaning old coins and even jewelry among them. NEVER drink the solution that was used to clean the pennies. This may be true in certain aspects, such as uncirculated monies. For coins that are not terribly valuable, you can clean them yourself with little to no worry. If you dont have a brush available, leave the coins submerged in the ketchup for at least 5 minutes. If this does not bother, you and you simply want to restore the coin for yourself you can use a baking soda paste. If youre having trouble getting rid of the tarnish on your copper penny, rubbing alcohol might be the trick you need. This is a simple, inexpensive method that works well on pennies that arent too tarnished. % of people told us that this article helped them. And if you're unsure of how to properly clean a coin and you want a second opinion, get in contact with a coin expert before trying any of the following methods. You will end up with irreversible damage to the coins. Baking soda and vinegar have proven to be one of the most effective ways to clean tarnished coins. Just make sure you keep the rubbing to a minimum. Soak them in vinegar or ketchup: If youve ever used ketchup on your penny, then you know that it can clean it up pretty quicklyand with very little effort on your part at all! WATER. The method of cleaning depends on the type of coin. Ketchup can restore the copper glow of a penny. One good option is the traditional 2 by 2 cardboard and mylar protective sheaths. If pennies are collectibles, then cleaning them may reduce their value. To clean softer or more valuable coins, your best bet is to lightly rinse them in warm water, then pat them dry with a microfiber cloth. We hope you enjoy these tips and find the one that works best for you! Therefore, before cleaning old coins, consult an expert on the subject. As a result, the shiny bright metal develops an external layer having a dull green color. Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Fisher F22 Review Submerge the coins in a shallow bath of vinegar and let them soak for at least an hour. This method you will help you to clean old coin properly without any damage to. You can also clean pennies with a combination of salt and lemon juice or salt and orange juice. If you do use an abrasive like vinegar or salt, make sure that you dont rub the abrasive in as it could scratch up the surface of the coin. Lemon juice is acidic and can cause damage to the skin if inhaled or spilled. Press ESC to cancel. If I must choose a cleaning method, I will choose distilled water. If you are planning to sell your cleaned pennies, using chemicals or scrubbing methods for cleaning could leave marks on the coins and an appraiser could easily discover this, which will greatly reduce the market value of your pennies. Once theyve soaked enough, take them out and rinse them with clear water until all traces of acid are gone from their surfaces; finally dry them off with a paper towel before putting them back into circulation (or storing them). For tips on how to shine your coins with baking soda, read on! If needed, use a soft towel or soft-bristled brush to scrub the coin. How To Clean Old Coins (Hint: Don't!) - Vintage Cash Cow Blog Wheat pennys face value is 1 cent, but every single one of them is worth more than face value, regardless of condition. ", "It is so amazing, the power of baking soda and vinegar.". Remember, cleaning a wheat penny you have found while metal detecting might make it look better to you, but to a professional numismatist, it will be ruined. Wash each coin gently with a soft toothbrush before rinsing and drying it. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Vinegar and salt are the best methods of cleaning your pennies. How to clean copper pennies - YouTube The wheat penny was produced until 1958, with a few changes along the way. There will be times when you think your coin is clean, only to discover later that its still dirty. Let them air dry the rest of the way. Let them sit for a month though you may need to let them go for as long as six months. Since we are also concerned about safety, it is important for you to know that the acidic substances that these rust removers contain could be harmful to your skin, so you should protect yourself with gloves and a mask when using them. One of the simplest ways to clean coins is by using distilled water and a soft towel. If you happen to find one of these while metal detecting, do not attempt to clean them yourself! 1/4 cup white vinegar 1 teaspoon salt A clear, shallow bowl (not metal) 2 clean steel nails A clean steel screw or bolt Paper towels Put the salt and vinegar in the bowl. One of the most recommended cleaning solutions for wheat pennies is white vinegar. AspenCleans glass cleaner was voted Parents Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents magazine. Use distilled water because chemicals in tap water may cause discoloration. "Knowing how to safely clean copper is big time helpful. Very old or dirty coins require the extra effort. When in doubt, refrain from cleaning anything older than those. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. There are chemicals within the tap water that can erode the coins over time. You can clean as many pennies you want with a single pencil eraser. These were 95 percent copper and 5 percent zing. They are too harsh and abrasive to clean wheat pennies with. Easy & Effective Ways to Clean Dirty Coins at Home, 10+ Ways to Clean Your Clipper Blades like a Pro Barber, https://www.howtocleanthings.com/how-to-clean-pennies/, https://sciencebob.com/clean-pennies-with-vinegar/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMp2OYpCq8, https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-copper-and-brass-with-ketchup-223741, Wie man Kupfermnzen sekundenschnell reinigt, Pulire le Monete di Rame in Pochi Secondi, . Rinse off any excess liquid with water and set aside to dry. 2. This makes it easier for copper atoms to join oxygen from the air and chlorine from the salt and form a blue green compound called malachite. Mix your hand soap in with the water, creating a soapy mixture. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. If you have a penny that has been cleaned with another method but still looks dull or dirty, try using the baking soda and salt method to bring back its shine. Hello internet and today i will be showing you how to clean your old coins without damaging them and I'll be cleaning my rare 1886 type 2 Indian head cent ju. Salt and vinegar combinations have been used to clean coins for many yearsthis method is actually on display in one of the earlier videos I shared above. If you are keeping them for sentimental value or for your own personal collection, you may certainly clean them. How To Clean Old Copper Pennies. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent because it will remove the copper oxide thats on your pennies. Top 7 Ways to Ruin Your Coins - The Spruce Crafts This should be enough to get them clean. Even more importantly, understand how the condition impacts the value. Step 4 Now take out the pennies from that mixture, and wash them in water. Soak your pennies for five minutes in vinegar to dissolve any copper oxide left on them from handling before you start scrubbing them with toothpaste or soap. Beach Metal Detectors If you want to go with something that is both inexpensive and likely already in your home, olive oil is the right choice. To prevent grime buildup, it is imperative that collectible coins be stored in a safe, secure, airtight place. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Start adding your pennies into the solution, but dont throw everything inside at once. If you are in a humid location, you can use desiccants to absorb atmospheric moisture. In your small container, measure in a cup of fresh lemon juice (or white vinegar) and add one tablespoon of salt to it. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Stir until the salt dissolves. Rubbing the surface of a coin can damage it, even if you cannot see it. It might seem like theres no hope for your tarnished coins, but fear not! After applying, give it a couple of minutes and then rinse using distilled water. Your email address will not be published. In fact, I use dish soap to clean my wedding ring, necklaces, and other jewelry. Cleaning in small batches is a better option. 7+ Useful Ways to Clean Copper Pennies - Tips Bulletin This natural acid can be used to clean coins, pots and pans, and more. Check back on them every few minutes, especially if you use a highly acidic substance like cola, to avoid damaging them. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid5915095-v4-728px-Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"