Step 3: Place old pennies in a shallow basin of freshly-squeezed lemon juice, and then sprinkle them with a few pinches of salt. Leave the penny in the slot until it is thoroughly cleaned. However, leaving the coin in the concoction for too long may cause it to become black.
Should antique pennies be cleaned?
Should Coin Collectors Clean Their Coins? – This article is accompanied by a serious warning from coin collectors and appraisers from throughout the world. If you are a beginner coin collector wondering how to properly clean antique coins, you may want to reconsider.
According to coin experts, washing potentially collectable coins might reduce their worth. Using chemical cleaners or cleaning the coins might produce visible scratches and blemishes that a competent appraiser will be able to detect. Be discriminating while determining whether or not to polish a coin, and if in doubt, get your collection evaluated beforehand.
When a coin’s assessed worth is much more than its inherent value, collectors view it as valuable and desirable. For instance, a wheat penny can range in value from 4 cents to $10. Other coins can be valued hundreds, and in extremely rare instances, millions of dollars.
Article Download Article Download Whether you are an experienced coin collector or just beginning to develop an interest in coins, you may be interested in cleaning them. The picture on the front and back of coins may be made clearer by cleaning, as well as dirt and grime that has collected over years or decades. Leave your old coins unaltered. It may sound paradoxical, but the easiest way to deal with filthy coins is to simply let them alone. If a coin is in good shape, with just little smudging or tarnish on the face or reverse, it will be more valuable to a collector in its current state than if it were cleaned. Nearly every form of cleaning can significantly reduce the value of your coins, particularly if the front or back is damaged. 2. Have a coin specialist examine your antique coins. If you are not an expert and are unsure of the value of your antique coins, you should consult an expert before cleaning them. The specialist will be able to advise you on whether or not you should clean the coins. Advertisement 3 Only clean useless or soiled coins. If you have low-value coins that you do not intend to collect or sell to a collector, you may desire to clean them for aesthetic purposes. You may also choose whether to clean really filthy coins. If a coin’s face is so heavily oxidized or tarnished that it is nearly unrecognizable, you may opt to take the risk and clean it. 1 Never use abrasives or acids to polish coins. Although abrasive products are frequently marketed on television and in stores as coin cleaners, this is not the case. During the process of cleaning a coin, acidic cleansers remove a portion of its surface material.
- Although this will make the coin appear cleaner and increase its luster, it will be tarnished and lose value.
- Similarly, never brush or scrape coins to remove tarnish or grime.
- Products such as steel wool and wire brushes will irreparably damage and devalue coins.2 Wash used coins with water To clean your coins without risking surface damage and a loss of value, you should only use water.
Hold a coin by its edges while exposing it to a modest trickle of lukewarm distilled water. Flip the coin over so that both sides are moist. The coin is then dried with a soft cotton towel. This will remove some surface grime without damaging the coin’s surface. If you reside in a city, chlorine will be added to your tap water. This chemical will discolor your coin’s face. To avoid this, acquire distilled water from the grocery store or run money through a water purifier. 3 Cleanse old coins in a soap solution of low concentration. If distilled water proved insufficient to adequately clean a filthy or encrusted coin’s surface, the only non-damaging alternative is to apply a mild soap solution. Fill a big dish with lukewarm distilled water, then add a tiny amount of a weak liquid soap. Using ketchup, scrub old coins. On clean a copper penny, apply a tiny amount of tomato ketchup to both the front and back. While securely gripping the coin by its edges, use a clean toothbrush to softly wipe the coin’s flat sides. The ketchup’s salt and vinegar will erase the tarnish from the penny. Then, wash the coin with distilled water and dry it with a clean cloth.
- This method works best with pennies minted prior to 1982. Pre-1982 pennies were minted with copper, however post-1982 pennies contain zinc, which is incompatible with ketchup.
- Considering that ketchup is moderately acidic, it may reduce the value of a penny.
Use baking soda to clean silver coins. Start by passing the coin through distilled water. Then, firmly grasp the coin by its edges. Apply a tiny quantity of baking soda to the front and back of your coin with your fingers or a clean toothbrush, and massage softly. Vinegar is used to clean ancient coins. Many individuals use white vinegar to clean metals, including jewelry, as it is a typical cleaning agent. Pour one cup of vinegar into a glass or bowl, and then carefully place the coin in the bottom to clean it.
- If the coin is still unclean or corroded, try brushing it with a soft toothbrush. However, be careful not to damage the coin’s surface.
- If after a few minutes the coin does not appear cleaner, drop it back in the vinegar for a few hours. Even extremely unclean antique coins can be soaked in vinegar overnight.
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- Question Who do I contact to have my rare coins graded and certified? Ask a coin specialist. They will be able to grade your coins and inform you of their rarity.
- Question What is the value of a proof 65 1896 Barber Quarter? The average value of the 1896 Barber Quarter, as calculated by CoinTrackers.com, is $11, whereas a coin in certified mint form (MS+) might be worth $525.
- Question What is the worth of a dollar made of silver in 1875? It might be valued between $2,533 and $4,806 in uncirculated, pristine condition.
See more answers Submit a Question left 200 characters Include your your address to receive a notification once this question has been answered. Submit Advertisement To prevent oils and grime from accumulating on the face of your coins, always handle them by the edge.
How do I properly clean coins?
Cleaning Everyday Coins – This approach for cleaning every day coins is a bit more abrasive than the method described above. You should only employ this method for coins with no collectable value. This procedure should not be used on coins with a valuable patina, since it can harm the object and leave it useless.
Creating a solution of warm, soapy water is the most effective approach to clean silver coins. Add a little quantity of sand to the cleaning solution in an airtight container. Place the coins in the jar, screw on the top, and shake the jar vigorously. Remove the coins from their container and wash them with warm water.
Cleaning coins: My favorite technique
Use a clean, soft towel to dry the coins, but avoid rubbing them as this might harm the material’s surface.
