Cleaning coins at home

Professional numismatists and amateur collectors have a large number of different coins and they are all in good condition, because they know how to properly care for such products. But what about those who are not a private collector and don’t know how to clean coins at home. Especially for you, we have collected all the necessary information with which you can clear your coins.

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How to clean coins?

In order to clean the coins from rust and oxidation at home, a variety of tools are suitable. It can be:

• Toothpaste;
• vinegar;
• ammonia;
• Coca Cola;
• lemon or citric acid powder;
• special tools;
• children's or household soap.

In addition to this you will need:

• a brush with soft or medium hard bristles;
• soft rag;
• thin needle.

Important! Remember that the technology for cleaning old coins and for everyday use will be noticeably different. The first - require much more thorough and accurate attention using less aggressive means.

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How to wash coins at home?

You can clear ordinary metal money with a few simple methods.

First option:

1. Wipe your coins with a solution of vinegar - 3-5%.
2. Gently brush the surface of the coins using a small amount of toothpaste.
3. Remove any residue with a damp cloth.
4. Gently polish your coins to a shine with a dry rag.

The second option:

1. Put metal money in water.
2. Wipe the surface of the coin with baking soda right in the water.
3. Wipe the coin with a cloth dampened in ammonia.
4. Once again, treat the coin with soda, rubbing the powder into the surface of the product.
5. Rinse with running water and polish properly.
   

The third option:

1. Pour one bottle of Coca-Cola into the bowl - select the volume for the number of objects (0.5 is quite suitable in most cases).
2. Throw coins into this bowl and leave them there overnight.
3. Take your money out of Coca-Cola in the morning.
4. Rinse with running water so that they do not remain sticky.
5. Polish them with a soft rag.

Fourth option

Wipe contaminated products with a solution of hydrochloric acid, but not very concentrated. Dry thoroughly and gently.

Important! Remember, all these methods of cleaning coins at home are quite aggressive in terms of mechanical impact, so small scratches may remain on the surface.

Fifth option

1. A more gentle cleaning option is children's or household soap:
   Take one eighth of the bar in 1 liter of water.
2. Rub the soap with a grater or dissolve the whole bar in water. In the event that you choose the second option, the procedure will be much longer.
3. Soak your coins in the prepared solution.
4. Hold them in a detergent for 3-10 hours. Determine the time based on the degree of contamination.
5. Wipe lightly with a soft brush - even an old toothbrush will do.
6. As soon as the coins shine again, rinse with cool water and polish the entire surface with a dry rag.

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How to clean old coins?

Before you start cleaning old expensive coins, be sure to find out their alloy, from which they are made.This is what will be the determining criterion during the selection of a suitable product, as well as technology for removing pollution.

How to clean gold?

To ensure that the cleaning of coins at home is correct and safe, follow these steps:

1. Prepare a soap solution that consists of baby or household soap.
2. Soak the coins for a short time, and then gently rub them with your fingers.
3. Put a saucepan on a fire and heat it up - the effect will be much better. But at the same time, in no case should you boil.
4. Repeat this procedure if necessary.
5. Dry by placing coins between several soft tissues.

Important! Under no circumstances should you use brushes, nor do you rub your coin, even after washing is complete. Please note that the whole procedure can take up to 10 days.

How to clean silver?

Choose a silver coin cleaning method, taking into account 2 important factors:

• how quickly and strongly the metal is oxidized;
• alloy test.
  

In order to wipe away dirt from products of high sample, which have signs of strong oxidation:

1. Pour a small amount of ammonia into a bowl.
2. Put your precious items in it.
3. Keep in this condition for 1 hour.
4. Put between soft tissues that absorb moisture well, and until the surface of the coins is completely dry, leave them between them.

Important! Clean base products using special products. Suitable, for example, “Trilon B”. How to use it is indicated in the instructions on the package.

How to wash copper and bronze coins?

Bronze and copper are very peculiar metals. Their distinctive characteristics are the formation of natural plaque, which has a dark brown color, and sometimes an almost black tint. It is such a plaque (patina) that indicates the real age of the coin, which serves as a determining factor during the evaluation of the product. In addition, the more uniform and even the given plaque, the more beautiful the coin itself looks.

Important! Do not try to clean the patina - this will reduce the cost of the coin, and can also damage the surface of the metal itself.

On the surface of such products dirt, dust accumulate, and green spots may appear - they require removal. In order to do this qualitatively, but cleaning coins at home did not later become a reason for reducing the cost of items in your collection, follow this instruction:

1. Wash the coin under running cool water.
2. Gently wipe with a solution of 9% vinegar or citric acid.
3. Rinse your coins again with warm water.
4. Dry by wrapping in a soft cloth - you can not rub them.

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Cleaning coins of Soviet times

Coins, issued in Soviet times, over time turned into interesting collections, neatly stored by numismatists. A lot of time has passed since the moment of their release, so they could change a lot. Without proper care, such money will lose all its value; cleaning coins from the time of the USSR at home will help to preserve wonderful specimens that are inextricably linked with history.

Means number 1

Chemical preparations, without certain skills, are prohibited. But the mixture, which is obtained from ammonia, toothpaste, and baking soda, will effectively cope with all the pollution.

Important! You can immediately prepare a large amount of the product, only then, store it in a tightly closed container and, if necessary, apply a certain part to the surface of the coins that need to be cleaned.

Means number 2

A solution of soda and water is also useful for removing various degrees of contamination. Hold the coin in the resulting solution for several hours - until the metal is clean and shiny. After that, rinse and completely get rid of moisture.

Means number 3

Another effective method of cleaning coins at home is to use half a teaspoon of citric acid in 1 cup of hot water.Place the coin in this solution for a few seconds, then remove, rinse and thoroughly wipe with a dry, soft cloth.

Important! Do not leave your precious product in citric acid for a long time, so as not to spoil the metal.

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We hope that all our tips that have been tested by more than one generation will help you clear your precious coins.