What do professionals use to clean coins?

Distilled water is recommended as tap water contains chlorine. The coin is dipped into olive oil which according to Hudgeons, works best for common copper or bronze coins.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

What can you use to clean coins without damaging them?

Pour your coins into one bowl and fill with cold water until the money is well covered. In the other bowl, pour about 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Dip the toothbrush into the bowl of baking soda and scrub the coins. The baking soda should remove any dirt and grime and won't scratch the metal.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on phonesoap.com

What substance cleans coins the best?

The vinegar and salt mixture dissolves the outer layer of dirt. Flip the pennies over and wait another 30 seconds. Then remove them, rinse them with water, and dry. Now you have two clean, shiny pennies!

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on usmint.gov

Why do coin collectors not like cleaned coins?

Most Cleaning is Destructive: It Can Literally Change the Surface of a Coin. Any cleaning that requires rubbing leaves microscopic scratches. They are not apparent to the naked eye, but a collector will see them. A collector will look for them.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aboutredlands.com

Does Windex clean coins?

Soap and Water - This is generally the only way to clean silvered and silver-plated coins, without damaging the silver. Ammonium - Windex works fine. This will clean the coin without damaging the silver.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on forumancientcoins.com

How to Clean a Coin Correctly

19 related questions found

How do you clean coins in Australia?

Coins that are obviously dirty can be run under water (with a very mild detergent) and left to air dry. A short soak in olive oil may remove unwanted gunge. For cleaning corroded coins the damage is already done, they will forever show pitting into the coin surface. This is as far as anyone should go with cleaning.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on australian-coins.com

Why do coins lose value when cleaned?

This is because anything that touches a coin has the potential to damage it at the microscopic level. The more abrasive a cleaner is used to clean the coin, the more likely it is to remove the upper surface of the coin - damage that can never be undone.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on grandrapidscoins.com

What liquid cleans coins the fastest?

Copper oxide dissolves in a mixture of weak acid and table salt-and vinegar is an acid. You could also clean your pennies with salt and lemon juice or orange juice, because those juices are acids, too.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on exploratorium.edu

Does Coke clean coins?

Our cola contains phosphoric acid which is why cola is acidic. The acid reacts with the oxide rusty coating that has covered our coins and returns them back to almost as good as new.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sublimescience.com

Will vinegar damage coins?

Acid based cleaners will eat away at a coin's surface diminishing its value. According to research professor Vinod Patel, washing coins with natural white vinegar and iodized salt in distilled water is a non destructive way of cleaning coins.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

Should I clean my coin collection?

While you may be tempted to polish your coins to make them look shiny and new, proceed with caution. Polishing and/or cleaning coins can reduce their value. Older coins that show deep age coloration are more desirable than coins whose surfaces have been stripped away by improper polishing or cleaning.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on usmint.gov

Should I clean my old coins before I sell them?

Don't clean your coins! Not only does this cut their value by as much as half (or possibly even more), but it will be an immediate deal-breaker for many dealers who would've otherwise wanted to buy your coins if only they were left in their original condition.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on gainesvillecoins.com

Can you tell if a coin has been cleaned?

Judge the age and consistency of the color, its depth and evenness. The underlying luster should be undisturbed and in a perfect cartwheel pattern, this being especially visible about the obverse stars. Look for hairlines or other imperfections that may indicate the coin was cleaned at some time in its past.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on numismaticnews.net

What does PCGS use to clean coins?

Our experts use a non-abrasive cleaning method and cleaners, designed specifically for PCGS, which will not diminish the coin's aesthetic value. More importantly, each coin is treated separately. The conservation required for one coin may differ from that which is needed on the next.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pcgs.com

Is Brasso good for cleaning coins?

Brasso is a metal cleaner that some people will already have on hand for other home applications and it is definitely the quickest and easiest method to clean pennies.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dreamalittlebigger.com

Can you clean coins with CLR?

How to easily clean your coins with CLR You can use a plastic cup for the container that you clean the coins in. Add 1/4 cup of CLR and 1/4 cup of water to the cup. Let the coin soak in the cup for about 30 minutes. If the mixture doesn't work on the coin you can add less water so that the CLR is more concentrated.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on housekeeping.wonderhowto.com

Can you use Silvo to clean coins?

SILVO® can be used to restore jewelry, coins, chrome bathroom fixtures, and many more items. Keep your precious metals bright and shiny with regular cleaning using SILVO®!

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on diversey.com