My family recently came across some really old coins from WWII but they are dirty and gross. What should I used to clean them without ruining them?
2007-07-29 18:28:16 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
You don't clean them. Check to see if they are rare before doing anything. If they are just have grease, oil or are covered with a green slime from old plastic holders then acetone with take it off. Do not rub coin, if it don't come off on its own, leave it. Then put coin in distilled water and air dry. If it is a hard green crusty item then it may have eaten into the coin and removing it by other means will leave a hole or pits in the coin and it will lose all it's value. If you find out one is valuable see a coin dealer so it can be sent in too have it cleaned by the pros.
2007-07-30 06:57:49 · answer #1 · answered by Taiping 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This will depend on what kind of coins they are. But, for silver or copper pennies a cheap cleaning method is plain old ketchup. The acidic acid in the tomato based condiment will gently and yet beautifully clean those pennies and silver coins.
For tougher grunge, let the coins soak a little bit longer...even overnight.
2007-07-29 22:42:29 · answer #2 · answered by beverly5876 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mix WD40 and lighting fluid into a cup and drop the coins in after 1 minute. Let the coins sit for a couple hours or even a day or two. It is very likely to work.
2007-07-30 00:41:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are never going to sell them, go ahead and clean them however you wish.
If you want to sell them to coin collectors, don't do more than wash of the loose dirt and grime with clear water. If you clean the bright and shiny, you will probably destroy much of the collector value.
Doc
2007-07-29 18:43:20 · answer #4 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Son the coin collector uses vinegar and baking soda. It bubbles and fizzes and loosens the dirt on the coin. If the coin is copper, he uses tomato sauce.....eats right thru the crud.
2007-07-31 06:35:04 · answer #5 · answered by momatad 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Arm and hammer baking soda/laundry detergent, gently movements with a non abrasive sponge, slow and steady gets the job done
2007-07-29 18:32:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the copper is in simple terms tarnished and dark, take a small bowl and pour in some vinegar, and a few shakes of salt, and graceful the pennies around in that. it is going to brighten them up precise. word, even nevertheless, that cleansing older funds destroys the numismatic cost, if any.
2016-10-09 13:15:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup...plain water and elbow grease. A quick wipe and bit of a polish...
Don't clean them to the core...the dirt makes the embossed surface stand out. And retains the value of the coin.
Or just carry them in your pocket for a few weeks, and let them bounce around....a dry bath....
~T
2007-07-29 19:35:18 · answer #8 · answered by Sally R 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should not clean coins. It will more damage and it will lose it's value.
2007-07-30 03:18:39 · answer #9 · answered by Big Ben 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've always used Nevrdull.
Non-abrasive, good on all types of metal.
2007-07-29 18:35:38 · answer #10 · answered by It's Kippah, Kippah the dawg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋