How to clean old coins at home

Many of us keep old coins at home, which were collected in the collection of grandfathers and great-grandfathers. But over time, metals are exposed to air, dust, light and lose their original luster. To prevent this from happening, numismatists recommend storing coins in special albums with individual pockets, but in no case in a bank or piggy bank.

But from time to time to carry out purification still have to. And we will tell you what needs to be done to keep the coins as long as possible.

Do I need to clean coins

If your collection is of little value and you are not preparing to sell it, you can clean it as often as you like. As for valuable and rare specimens, here specialists convince the owners not to take independent actions.

Ancient coins can be much more expensive if they have natural marks left by time. In addition, the metal for a long time has lost its strength and during cleaning can begin to decay.

Modern coins in the manufacture are covered with a protective layer that protects against external influences, and independent manipulations with cleaning products will destroy it.

In the event that you still want to return a decent appearance to precious coins, then turn to specialists for help. They will advise you on the best and safest option.

How to clear bronze coins

If your coins do not have obvious external defects, are not covered with rust, and are not damaged by oxide, then it is enough to wash them in warm soapy water. In other cases, you can try several proven methods:

1. Lemon acid. Dilute the acid in warm purified water in the proportions of 1 to 2 and lower the product for 10 minutes. Then rinse the coins with running water and dry. After purification, the metal may acquire a pink hue, which will disappear after a few days.
2. Coins coated with dirt particles without corrosion and plaque are easy to clean with laundry soap. Grate it and stir in water until completely dissolved. The proportions are taken from the calculation of 1 to 8. Keep the coins in solution for 7-10 days, and then rinse in clean water. If the dirt remains, then it can easily be removed with a cloth.
3. To not only clean the coins, but to give them shine and an additional protective layer, vegetable oil is used. It must be put on fire and allowed to boil. Then, with tweezers, lower the coins into it and let it cook for 5 minutes. After this product must be moved to ethyl alcohol for several minutes.

Any metal products should be dried very carefully. To do this, use a soft cloth or paper towel. Do not leave the coins to dry on their own; water can harm them.

How to clean copper coins

Cleaning copper products must be done responsibly. If you choose the wrong method, you can damage them.

How to clean copper coins:

1. Red spraying is cleaned with a 5 percent solution of ammonia or ammonium carbonate. Dip the coins in the liquid for a couple of minutes, then rinse and wipe with a cloth.
2. Green deposits will be removed with diluted citric acid in proportions of 1 to 10. Dip the coins in the solution and remove after 5 minutes.
3. The yellow layer dissolves with ordinary table vinegar. Coins should also be kept in it for about 5 minutes.
4. Severe contaminants can be cleaned with Trilon-B, a special tool for removing insoluble metal salts.
5. White plaque on copper products is cleaned with distilled water.Dip the coins into it for a few days, and then wipe it with a cloth.

The elimination of heavy pollution is best left to professionals. In jewelry workshops, specialists carry out mechanical cleaning, which will help to give products a beautiful look.

Cleaning silver coins

Silver coins are stronger than copper, so it’s much easier to clean them. But still there are certain rules that will help maintain their appearance for many years:

1. Some self-taught women are advised to clean the coins with soda, but this is not recommended, since over time a lot of micro scratches will appear from this method. It is better to take toothpaste or toothpowder and gently wipe the items with them until they are completely cleaned.
2. A solution of citric acid, which is prepared in proportions of 1 to 2.5, does not harm silver. Dip a coin into it, and after 10 minutes, remove and carefully treat it with a soft toothbrush.
3. Ammonia will help clean silverware even faster. It is enough to lower the coin for 1-2 minutes and remove it.
4. If the silver product is clean enough, but you want to give it a shine, then use table vinegar. To do this, wipe the coins with a heated solution with a rag.

If you do not trust folk methods, a special product is sold for you in jewelry stores that is suitable for both jewelry and silver coins.

How to clean gold coins

Gold coins coated with dirt or traces of oxide are fairly easy to clean at home:

1. Take a glass of soapy water, stir 10 drops of ammonia in it and place coins in it. Keep them should be no more than 15 minutes.
2. Return onion help onion juice. Wipe the product with it, leave it for a few hours, then rinse well and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
3. For the same purpose, sweetened water is used. It is prepared at the rate of 1 teaspoon of sugar per one glass of purified water. Dip the coins for 2-3 hours in this liquid, and they will sparkle like new.

Like silver and gold, special cleaning products are sold in stores. A special paste based on petroleum jelly or oil is used for this metal.

No matter how you want to give your coins a beautiful look and shine, do not use questionable cleaning methods. These include tools for plumbing or utensils, especially with simultaneous use, boiling, mechanical impact. In order not to spoil the precious products, it is better to ask for help from specialists.

Video: 3 Ways to Clear Old Coins