How can i clean old coins

You might be eager to clean them but worried about potential damage.

Monday — Friday: 9am — 6pm Saturday: 9am — 4pm Sunday: Closed. Written by Top Buyer on December 9, Posted in Coins. Old coins can get dirty, grimy and corroded over time. Coins spend decades in pockets, purses, drawers, banks, hands, dirt, and even gutters.

How can i clean old coins

Last Updated: November 7, Fact Checked. With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,, times. Over the years, they can get coated in dirt, grime, and tarnish, but you can easily clean most coins at home with products you already have. Before you start scrubbing all your coins, there are a few things you should know. Skip to Content. Edit this Article. Popular Categories. Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies. Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues. Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games. All Categories.

Hold the coin under cold water.

Do you know how many times each coin exchanges hands? The average U. That could mean thousands of people have touched the money that is currently sitting in your piggy bank. Dig out that old coin collection you had as a kid. Some of those valuable coins may be darkened with patina, the green or brown film that is commonly found on gold coins. Removing the patina from rare coins can degrade their value because small bits of metal can be etched away during a thorough cleaning process.

Last Updated: July 5, Approved. This article was co-authored by Grettel Monge. She was featured on Redfin. This article has been viewed , times. Whether you are a practiced coin collector or just starting to gain an appreciation for coins, you may have an interest in cleaning your coins. Cleaning coins can make the image on the front and back clearer, and can remove dirt and grime that has accumulated over years or decades. However, if you clean your coins incorrectly, you risk damaging the face of the coins and permanently reducing their value. Thanks for reading our article!

How can i clean old coins

Coins Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. That being said, some people will still engage in cleaning coins anyway — in an attempt to make it look brand new again. Unfortunately, many of the popular methods seen online are actually detrimental to coins and could leave yours with only a fraction of their original collector value! Toothpaste is a highly abrasive agent that will strip away more than just plaque — it could literally remove metal right from your coin. I used to experiment with rubbing toothpaste on some of my coins years ago, but I ended up ruining every coin I cleaned with it.

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No account yet? Edit this Article. White vinegar is a common cleaning agent which many people use to clean metals, including jewelry. Cleaning might do more harm than good, removing its original finish and causing discoloration. Want to Sell Your Coins? If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. After that, just rinse all your coins with cool water and dry them off with a soft towel. Whether you collect coins or not, here's what to do—and not do—when cleaning coins, especially potentially valuable coins. That could mean thousands of people have touched the money that is currently sitting in your piggy bank. Before you do anything, remember that you should never clean coins that you think may be collectible as this can greatly devalue them. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Co-authored by:.

Whether you collect coins or not, here's what to do—and not do—when cleaning coins, especially potentially valuable coins. Learning how to clean coins can be a fun activity for kids and adults.

Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. It's not hard to find tools and supplies to clean your coins. Wet both sides, then gently pat the coin dry with a soft cotton towel. Look for a coin dealer in your area and bring your coins in to have them evaluated. If the coins are unique or valuable, the expert will likely advise you not to clean them. All rights reserved. Then, just rinse all your coins under clean water and pat them dry. Place your coins in a bowl and pour enough white vinegar to cover the coins. Before you do anything, remember that you should never clean coins that you think may be collectible as this can greatly devalue them. Rinse the coins thoroughly with water and dry with a soft cloth. More success stories Hide success stories. If this isn't enough you can try repeating the process and soaking the coins for a little longer. Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues. Thank you for your feedback.