They have a green coloured stain on them. Some of the coins are dated from Queen Victoria times.
2006-11-18 05:33:04 · 31 answers · asked by peter 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Are you planning on keeping them or selling them?
If you are selling them I would leave them alone and let the buyer clean them up, you can do a lot of damage by cleaning them.
If you are keeping them and want nice shiny coins then vinegar works well or there's that advert with the man shouting that I'm not going to mention cos it annoys me so much!!!
2006-11-18 05:36:28 · answer #1 · answered by Paul 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it's just accumulated dirt and stuff, you can try soaking the coins for a couple of days in olive oil to loosen it. If it's anything that you can't remove with the olive oil, leave it alone Some of the suggestions you've gotten are absolutely the worst thing you could do. Vinegar and ketchup are both acidic. They work by eating away at the surface of the coin, and salt or toothpaste act as abrasives. It works the same way that sandpaper does. Once you've done that, the surface of the coin will never look right again. Any suggestion along those lines will damage the coin, and kill any collector value. It's not unknown for coins that have been treated that way to lose 90% of their collector value
2016-05-22 01:05:59 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The green stuff is petina. You are not supposed to clean old coins as it can affect the value in a negative way. If you must only use dish soap & water. Rinse with distilled water. wear gloves because the oil from your hands is detremantal to the coins Use only a soft cloth and dry COMPLETELY! Always handle them by the edges only. The things the people are trying to get you to use are corrosive to copper! The petina is a crossive as well. Be realy careful not to scratch the coins. The road show has a web site that tells a bit about coins as well. Sounds like you may have some real gems! Take care
2006-11-18 05:53:34 · answer #3 · answered by Big V 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They're more likely to be bronze than copper. Brush them with a soft dry toothbrush only then take them to an expert to be assessed. If they are of any value you will reduce the value by cleaning them further. Otherwise vinegar works well.
2006-11-18 05:50:13 · answer #4 · answered by fidget 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use ketchup on my copper pots and pans. Rub ketchup over, let stand and then rinse in hot water.
Call a coin dealer for recommendations to be on the safe side.
2006-11-18 11:02:54 · answer #5 · answered by CAT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CILIT BANG you've seen the advert haven't you, when he puts a coin in and it comes out like new. Seriously though don't clean them they're worth more if not cleaned
2006-11-18 05:42:48 · answer #6 · answered by braveheart321 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vinegar works well for cleaning most copper coins
2006-11-18 05:36:52 · answer #7 · answered by skorpi_ru 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Leave them overnight in a glass of Coca Cola classic.
2006-11-18 05:48:21 · answer #8 · answered by emaxtde 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T do anything.
acid will eat away at the algi but will also eat away at the coper. I would recomend that you get a bottle of surgical spirit and a lint free cloth. then dabbing the cloth in the spirit, rub away at the algi.
2006-11-18 05:38:14 · answer #9 · answered by tsmoreland324 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Soak in Kaboom you can find it at Wal*Mart or regular Coka Cola
2006-11-18 05:51:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋