Vinegar and salt are the best methods of cleaning your pennies. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Put the coin in the bowl and slowly rub the coin with your finger from both sides. The baking soda isnt acidic like vinegar and citrus juice solutions, so leaving the paste in place for a while is safe. Silver dollars, or any collectible silver coin, should only be cleaned under certain conditions. They will, in fact, devalue. Remove the coins and dump out the lemon solution, and then pour the olive oil and one teaspoon of lemon juice into the container. Let them soak for a while. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. In your small container, measure in a cup of fresh lemon juice (or white vinegar) and add one tablespoon of salt to it. Rubbing the surface of a coin can damage it, even if you cannot see it. How do you clean old coins without damaging them? This article was co-authored by Alicia Sokolowski. The method of cleaning depends on the type of coin. Rinse and dry: After scrubbing, rinse in warm water and dry the copper with a lint-free dishtowel. Your fingers contain oils, acids, and minuscule pieces of grit that will adhere to the surface of the coins and cause them to discolor or suffer microscopic scratching. In fact, it works so well that, like the other coin cleaning brews mentioned here, it can completely strip away the original patina and obliterate the value of the coin. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. But for coins that have collectible value, they are oftentimes worth more than their face value. Drop your coins into the mixture and let them sit for about 5 minutes. Heat safe container. The coins need to be submerged in the vinegar, so make sure the vinegar doesn't have too much space to spread out. The acetic acid in white vinegar can help remove contaminants from your coins. After 24 hours of drying time (72 hours if you live in humid conditions), use a soft cloth like an old T-shirt or washcloth to buff up all sides of your penny until it has regained most of its original shine! The best thing about using rubbing alcohol is that it will remove the tarnish from your copper coin without damaging its surface. Removing the copper oxide by cleaning will give your penny a brand-new look. For preservation purposes, most collectors recommend against treating collectible coins. One of the simplest ways to clean coins is by using distilled water and a soft towel. WATER. There are countless things that it can be used for, cleaning old coins and even jewelry among them. Pennis that were made prior to 1982 had more copper in them, which can lead to a more intense reaction chemically while cleaning. But, if you are in doubt about how to clean your pennies, it is a good idea to leave them alone or consult a rare coin specialist before you begin the cleaning process. Looking to achieve that bright, orange-copper color? Dab some yellow mustard onto a cotton ball or soft cloth and rub firmly over the entire surface of the coin until it starts turning darker than usualthis means that its working! Rinse the coins with fresh water after 24 hours and let them air dry. If you need to remove dirt from your coins, remove the worst of it with a tooth pick. Enjoy! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The right materials will effectively clean your pennies and will also be safe for your hands. Dip one penny halfway into the liquid. If I must choose a cleaning method, I will choose distilled water. Pennies are made from highly reactive metals like copper or copper alloys, so it is only normal for them to get corroded with time. Use a stronger acid like ketchup or cola to strip away the green patina that forms when copper is exposed to salt and water. Anyone can use this simple technique. Copper is a soft metal, so copper coins are prone to degrading over time. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Wed love to hear from our readers! Cleaning and polishing rare and old coins can devalue them. Ammonia works well for removing rust from copper pennies, but it can also damage the surface of the penny if not used properly. If the coins still look a little dull, try treating them with more paste. Cleaning in small batches is a better option. Remove tough tarnish on coins by soaking them in hydrogen peroxide or . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Wet the coin with water and roll in baking soda. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. If you dont have ketchup or another acid, try using a metal polish from a general store. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Place the coins in a plastic container and cover with mouthwash. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 3 What is the fastest way to clean copper coins? If you are keeping them for sentimental value or for your own personal collection, you may certainly clean them. Here are a few different methods that you can use to get those pennies clean. Soak your pennies for five minutes in vinegar to dissolve any copper oxide left on them from handling before you start scrubbing them with toothpaste or soap. "What stood out was that very common household ingredients were used.". There is something so magical and intriguing about looking through coins from the past. CoinsForSale.com charges a 5 percent selling fee and no listing fee. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 438,144 times. At this stage, the corrosion on the pennies mustve reacted with the lemon and salt solution, so it is time for you to start removing them from the container. For coins that are not terribly valuable, you can clean them yourself with little to no worry. If you have a penny that has been cleaned with another method but still looks dull or dirty, try using the baking soda and salt method to bring back its shine. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Finally, drop the coins in, seal the lid, and shake it. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? Place the quarter you want to clean into a small plastic bowl. With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. This step is basically you leaving the pennies to soak inside the salt and lemon juice solution for 15 minutes. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Pennies get dull and dirty because the copper in the pennies reacts with oxygen in the air to form copper oxide. Wheat pennies were made of different metals during different years depending on the need for metals. This is a simple, inexpensive method that works well on pennies that arent too tarnished. Place your pennies at the bottom of the cup or glass so that they are not stacked on top of each other. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. % of people told us that this article helped them. Wait about five minutes and check your pennies. Shine the coins to make them look better. These coins range in value from a few cents to a small fortune, if you, Read More How to Clean Wheat Pennies Safely and Without DamageContinue, ABOUT|AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE|PRIVACY POLICY|TERMS OF USE. Leave the pennies for around five minutes in the glass of vinegar or lemon juice. Step 5: Rub Away the Tarnish & Grime. Rinse with freshwater and let air dry. When a coin is submitted to be examined by the experts at PCGS, signs of cleaning can be evident in many ways. Use a soft cloth to rub the paste on the surface of the copper. You will want to use a soft-bristled brush, one that has been well worn in as well as a soft cloth. How to clean copper pennies using vinegar and baking soda. This way, you should not have to worry about cleaning them on a regular basis. Safely storing your wheat pennies is critical for preserving and protecting them. Follow these steps to make your pennies completely clean: Step 1 Pour a small quantity of vinegar into a bowl. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Thats not necessarily to say the material so much as the purpose of the coin. If there are stubborn stains that dont seem like theyre budging, try scrubbing them vigorously with steel wool while theyre still wet; this should do wonders when trying to remove stubborn grime from coins like pennies made out of zinc (which often have dark spots). We all enjoy the metal detecting finds we discover, and sometimes, even pennies fall into that category. That way, if the cleaning method damages the coin, youre not going to be upset about it. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Use sparing amounts of oil to avoid damaging coins. Keep in mind that this is more of an abrasive than even the sand method and can do serious damage without the proper care. Cleaning them can go wrong very quicklyand who wants to devalue their newly found treasure? Wipe down the surface of your penny with another clean cloth or paper towel until all dirt has been removed from its surface. Mix in extra salt if you wish, but keep a close eye on the coins to avoid damaging them. Its a very interesting question and a great DIY project. Admittedly, this one is hard to see working well, so I always suggest testing brand new coin cleaning methods on a coin you care absolutely nothing about. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. One of the most important aspects of cleaning old coins is to know the value first. Ketchup. If you have recently gone metal detecting and found several wheat pennies, what do you do with them now? Garret ACE 300 Review The advantage is it will not cause any decrease in numismatic value, but there are better options for cleaning materials. There is no way to clean a coin without damaging its collectible value, even wiping with a cloth causes scratches that reduce the value in the eyes of professional collectors. Soak the Pennies in Vinegar. Required fields are marked *. Very old or dirty coins require the extra effort. You can also clean pennies with a combination of salt and lemon juice or salt and orange juice. In this video I clean three old worn large cents. Should the oil start to look discolored, change it out. Subscribe To Me: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=TheBoxUnboxed https://twitter.com/TheBoxUnboxed Use Promo Code TBU for 10% off GFUEL http://www.gammalabs.net Use Promo Code TBU For 5% off Custom Pc's at http://lostlegionpcs.webs.com/ Use Promo Code tbu for NoScope Gaming Glasses or use the link below https://www.noscopeglasses.com/demon-glasses?tracking=tbu [5] The salt and vinegar in the ketchup will remove tarnish from the penny. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Its found naturally in wine, and it works by breaking down the copper oxide coating on your pennies. If you dont have vinegar on hand, filtered tap or distilled water can be used as a substitute. You can also seek the services of the Numismatic Conservation Services. Make sure that you continue to stir in the salt until it dissolves, then place the pennies in so that they are not stacked in any way. You will end up with irreversible damage to the coins. But if you simply want to clean the coins for non-commercial reasons (for example, you just want a bunch of cleaned pennies youve found to become part of your coin collection), the vinegar/lemon juice method will be good enough. Its also an effective way to remove oxidation from copper and make sure that there are no stains left behind. You will not need to clean your coins repeatedly if you know the best way to clean pennies and how to preserve them properly. According to renowned numismatists, Ivory soap, and water is the safest way used in cleaning steel pennies. Modern Coin Mart is another site for selling coins. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Basically, it all depends on why you are getting your pennies cleaned in the first place. Instead, dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the vinegar solution and scrub the coins with it. In terms of valuable wheat pennies, while it can range vastly depending on the pennys condition, here are some best case scenarios in terms of value for a select few: If you happen to have one of these in your wheat penny collection, consider yourself incredibly lucky! Garret ACE 400 Review Baking Soda And Vinegar Great For Science Fair Volcanoes But Not For Enhancing Your Coins Value. Gently scrub the coin with an incredibly soft brush. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. One of the main reasons for pennies becoming dirty is their continual circulation among people. Warm distilled water can be used to clean coins. Plain tap water is a good options, if you know your water is not corrosive or hard. When in doubt, refrain from cleaning anything older than those. In fact, I use dish soap to clean my wedding ring, necklaces, and other jewelry. When you put your pennies in a vinegar and salt mix, the vinegar and salt react together and remove the copper oxide. How to Clean Corroded Pennies Safely and Effectively, How to Clean Gold Jewelry With Vinegar Without Any Damage, How to Clean Wheat Pennies Safely and Without Damage. Make sure that any cleaner you use is rated to clean pennies prior to 1982. Be patient and try not to get frustrated. Start adding your pennies into the solution, but dont throw everything inside at once. Get an appraisal before you clean themif you plan to sell them. They may damage the surface of the wheat penny and devalue them. Dry them off with paper towels. You should also rub the coin gently to remove debris, and rinse it under the tap to wash off the oil. The composition of the coin, the condition of the coin, and the year of the coin all affect its value. They are too harsh and abrasive to clean wheat pennies with. If you do have hard water or highly acidic water, try using distilled water. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid5915095-v4-728px-Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"