Any ideas how to clean coins?

Question

I tried the coin liquid cleaner, but it ruined some coins more than cleaned. Any ideas for not so destructive ways of cleaning coins?

Answer 1

Vinegar works best!!!! Dont do the coin liquid crap....

Answer 2

I'm a coin dealer in the Midwest, and here's the CORRECT answer. Never clean coins, especially with the idiotic ideas presented here. If you were to actually have something that has any value, you will reduce or ruin its value by cleaning it. I've seen so many previously nice items that were simply RUINED by someone who knew nothing about what they were doing who cleaned or polished them.

Yes, there are "liquid coin cleaners" out there, but most of them are basically weak acids that strip away part of the coin's surface. (You've even acknowledged that the stuff has already ruined some of your pieces!) The freshly stripped surface is now a prime target for new corrosion, which could be worse than whatever was there to begin with, which more often than not was simply natural toning.

I always ask people why they decided to clean their piece, and nearly all of them say " Because it was dark". Coins acquire a natural coloration with age, particularly silver coins. This is perfectly normal and stripping it away only leaves an unnatural looking surface that anyone who knows coins can spot a mile away. You are better off leaving it in its natural state.

In short, shiny doesn't mean better...the only way a cleaned coin has any significant value is if it is some kind of rarity...and even then its value will have been greatly reduced by the cleaning.

No amount of cleaning or polishing will make a used coin a new coin again. So "just say no" to cleaning coins, unless they are of no value.

Hope this helped.

Answer 3

Serious practitioners of numismatics (the study and collection of coins, paper money and medals) will tell you that you shouldn't clean your coin collection because collectors prefer that "natural look." But, hey, they're your coins and if you want them shiny, here's how to get them that way with minimal damage.

Steps:
1. Handle coins by the edges to avoid putting fingerprints on the flat surfaces.

2. Avoid silver and other metal polishes - even jewelry polishes. They are much too harsh and will leave tiny scratches on the coin's surfaces.

3. Soak the coins in olive oil or soapy water for a few days and then rinse them well with clean water.

4. Try non-abrasive cleaners such as denatured or isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner (with water) if the soaking doesn't do the trick.

5. Blow dry or pat cleaned coins with a soft cloth, not tissues or paper towels.

6. Never rub the coin - unless it's your good luck charm.

Tips:
Be extremely careful if your coins are old. If you mess up, you could seriously decrease the coins' value. Consider taking them to a professional.

Tarnished coins are better left as they are. Collectors call it "toning" and it's a desirable look.

Answer 4

I agree with the coin dealer's answer, except to say that most coins that appear dirty will not be harmed by a simple soap and water wash, quickly followed by a good dry towel. If there is dirt in the crevices, a toothpick can be used to get it out. I am a collector of ancient coins, so we are used to cleaning them.

Answer 5

I seem to remember a trick to clean silver (Like spoons etc) was put little balls of tinfoil (Aluminium Cooking foil that you wrap things in for oven cooking) in the bottom of a glass of warm water and dip the silver into the water. Over time (I think a few hours), the dirt transfered from the silver to the aluminium. The details are fuzzy, so you may want to test it first.

I feel the urge to do an experiment, wheres my lab coat??

Answer 6

I sent away a few coins to be "slabbed" and they came back in "body bags" that said cleaned and improperly cleaned. Just don't do it. It depreciates the value. Coins are worth more with their natural toning. Don't even try to rub them. Coin graders can even tell when they've been rubbed with your thumb. Leave them alone. Please don't try coke, alcohol, vinegar, or soil, or anything. All of those things will ruin your coins.

Answer 7

The least destructive way of cleaning coins is using pure acetone not the nail polish remover but the hardware store acetone.

Answer 8

put white vinegar into pot/container put a quarter of bottle in
and fill up with hot boiling water.
i would suggest leave to soak for approx 48 hrs
drain out vinegar and water
boil water again and wash of with cloth
if coins are copper try a cleaner called brasso

Answer 9

spray aload of lynx deodrant in to a bottle until there is a liquid at the bottom put the coin in put the top on and leave for a day or two...then take out. it worked for me

Answer 10

if you are cleaning silver; make a saturated solution of hot water (the hotter the better) and plain table salt (NaCl), add to that small pieces of aluminum foil (Al) until the container is loosely packed, add the pieces of silver (Au) to the container and let sit for 3-5 minutes, rub gently to remove tarnish, repeat as needed. be careful not to burn yourself.

Answer 11

I've heard that if you leave them in coca cola for a few hours, it'll shine them right up , I'd test that theory on a penny 1st tho', just to be sure.