How do you get rust off a really old coin?

Question

Recently I got this quarter that's really old but it's got rust all over it. I would like to know of a way to get it all off and make it look a lot better. I have tried putting it in a cup with a mixture of vinegar and salt in it but it didn't work. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

can of Coke or Pepsi.
soak a few hours. then rub with soft white cloth.

Answer 2

Your best bet before you do anything is to ask this question at a forum like findmall dot com or treasurenet dot com along with a photo and size of the coin. Don't clean it in any way until you've done that much, and although it's more than likely that the coin has no value, keep in mind that "Cleaning" a coin in most of the ways we come across can actually damage or hurt the value of a coin that could be worth something. In the long term, unless you know for sure the coin is not worth much, do not clean it. If you do run into a valuable coin, leave it as is or have it cleaned professionaly. You didn't describe the coin in any way, but it is possible you may have found a colonial copper or cent. These coins usually come out in terrible shape and very little can be done when you end up with a toasted example. The little detail that is left in the patina would probably be erased if cleaned. Silver coins rarely have these issues and almost always come out as good as the day they were dropped. You may also have an older nickel, Buffalo, V Nickel, etc. The best thing you can do if you want to know what it is is take a really good pic or scan and post it on the forums I mentioned. Those guys will suprise you.

Answer 3

Okay, try coca-cola. I put a full bottle of it, in one of my loaf pans, to get the rust off of it, and it worked!! But, you have to soak it in the cola, for a few days. If it can eat a copper penny, than it will definately clean your old coin. Just dont keep it in there too long, or it will definately eat your "Gem" of a coin. So, be careful not to keep it in, too long. Okee-dokee. Good-Luck, to you, and thank-you, for reminding me, to do some of my "Featherbacks" I have one that's a 1919, coin. But, it definately needs a good cleaning too. Have Fun!! If I were you, once you get it all cleaned and shiny, I'd get you one of those coin cases, from a coin shop. They carry them, cuz my brother use to have tons of them, and still does, to my knowledge.

Answer 4

Soak it in Coca Cola that will do the trick.

*note you can also brush Coca Cola on your battery connections on your car to clean them off.

Answer 5

Believe it or not, soaking it in Coca-cola for an hour works wonders.

Answer 6

Pop it in some coke. That might help

Answer 7

TRY SOME RUST REMOVER

Answer 8

Spray some CILLIT BANG on it. it works a treat.

Answer 9

try tarnex. works on all kinds of metals. good luck!