Warm distilled water can be used to clean coins. Remember to not use tap water because the chemicals are bad for the coins. Everyday change can be cleaned in just about any type of way. 1 1/2 cups olive oil. Do not leave the coin in the ketchup for more than an hour or two as it will leave a green oxidation on the coin. First, do not every use any type of jewelry cleaner or metal polish on coins. With your paper towel, clean the pennies carefully and watch how they start getting clean and shiny. You can also use baking soda and salt to clean your pennies. Brighten old, dark pennies in seconds! So, thinking about cleaning them is not wrong, and they can be cleaned in several ways. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This article was co-authored by Alicia Sokolowski. How to clean a copper penny? [3] 4 This technique is an easy way to clean silver coins and zinc pennies without causing damage, too. Then dip your coins in the solution and let them soak for an hour or twothe longer they soak, the more oxidation will come off. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You just cant see them because they are microscopicbut your intended buyer will see them. Copper coins often turn a muddled brown color, and these marks can be cleaned off with salt and a mild acid like white vinegar. They can clean your coin if it has PVC residue, dirt, debris, adhesive, tape reside, copper spots on gold, or toning issues. Make sure to use small, circular motions. Use sparing amounts of oil to avoid damaging coins. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Remember, cleaning a wheat penny you have found while metal detecting might make it look better to you, but to a professional numismatist, it will be ruined. Using a soft cloth, apply your chosen cleaner to the coin and allow it to soak in for five minutes. Removing the copper oxide by cleaning will give your penny a brand-new look. Step 5: Rub Away the Tarnish & Grime. 5 How do you remove green corrosion from copper coins? Garret ACE 400 Review Use a stronger acid like ketchup or cola to strip away the green patina that forms when copper is exposed to salt and water. Mix equal parts distilled water and lemon juice into a container. How do you clean old coins without damaging them? Believe it or not, you can clean copper coins using yet another household item: ketchup. If it works for you, stick with it. Youll be surprised at what works and what doesnt! You will want to use a soft-bristled brush, one that has been well worn in as well as a soft cloth. Under Water Metal Detectors Coins are part of most of our lives in one way or another. Let them soak for about two hours or so, though if they are extremely dirty, you may want to let them sit for up to a week. In addition to the vinegar and lemon juice, ketchup can also be used to clean copper pennies. Some other options include you can at least look into are: There are many rust removers you can use to clean your coins, and some of them can be very fast and effective, but that is just part of what you need. This works well because the dish soap will loosen dirt and grim, and gently lift it from the surface of the metal object. Exposure to air leads to the formation of copper oxide. Over time, coins of all sorts can and will collect grime and gunk. An easy way to clean copper pennies and coins to remove the build-up of grime is with soapy water and a little elbow grease. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. Soak your coins in a glass or other non-corrosive container for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight, and then wipe with a clean cloth or scrub gently with an old toothbrush. Its a very interesting question and a great DIY project. 1 How do you clean old copper coins without damaging them? In this article well take a look at the top 10 tips for cleaning a copper penny. He has a hefty collection of wheat pennies that hes found with various techniques. Soak them in vinegar or ketchup: If youve ever used ketchup on your penny, then you know that it can clean it up pretty quicklyand with very little effort on your part at all! If you do not sell your coin, you do not pay. If you want to go with something that is both inexpensive and likely already in your home, olive oil is the right choice. How to Effectively Clean a Penny and Other Old Coins - Real Simple There is endless information available on the Internet about cleaning pennies, and these ideas can also be used to clean nickels, quarters, dimes, or even specifically cleaning silver coins, etc. Gold Nuggets Metal Detectors It may take a few treatments, so work gradually and wash the coins off each time to avoid damaging them. Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide can prove effective in removing various materials, including organic material. Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mouthwash not only helps with dental health but can help you clean up dirty coins. Finally, drop the coins in, seal the lid, and shake it. When a coin has evidence of cleaning, it is valued as Genuine-Cleaned. This means that despite the condition of the coin, it will be valued less than Fine range coins that have not been cleaned. Even if they appear corroded and lacking shine or have a tarnish on them. Since all alcohol is neutral (having neither acidic or alkaline charges) it will only remove ceraint oil base soils. It does not store any personal data. Whether its a regular penny or a wheat penny, hopefully youve found this article to showcase a helpful method on how to clean a corded penny. Pat the coin dry. Collectors actively look for the tiniest flaws in pennies and they have all the necessary tools to find those flaws. In 1943, the composition changed to zinc plated steel due to the need for copper during World War II. 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. Add distilled water and a small amount of dish soap to your shallow bowl. If you plan on cleaning off a lot of coins at once, use a bigger bowl and add more vinegar as needed. But, when you combine vinegar with other ingredients, it will become a cleaning agent, not a tarnishing agent. With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. [1] 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. Vinegar and salt are the best methods of cleaning your pennies. The application of taco sauce is another simple method of cleaning these pennies. For tips on how to shine your coins with baking soda, read on! The key is to first know what kind of coin you have. This detector works very well in areas with high soil mineralization. Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean pennies and other copper coins, as well as other metals. How to Clean Copper Coins Found in the Ground: Best Do's and Don'ts Check back on them every few minutes, especially if you use a highly acidic substance like cola, to avoid damaging them. For preservation purposes, most collectors recommend against treating collectible coins. NEVER drink the solution that was used to clean the pennies. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent because it will remove the copper oxide that's on your pennies. How to Clean Corroded Pennies Safely and Effectively - Discover Detecting As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). They may damage the surface of the wheat penny and devalue them. Rinse off excess mustard under running water until all traces are removed from both sides before allowing them dry completely upside down so they wont lose any color fading away while drying out naturally overnight.. Method 1 Removing Dark Spots with Vinegar Download Article 1 Pour 14 cup (59 mL) of white vinegar into a small bowl. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Soak your penny in the vinegar for a minimum of 30 minutes. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. only use vinegar to clean a corroded penny, Metal Detecting in Massachusetts: Laws, Tips and Beaches, Metal Detecting in Pennsylvania: Tips, Tricks, and Laws to Know. You should also rub the coin gently to remove debris, and rinse it under the tap to wash off the oil. If you do not rinse all the vinegar off your wheat pennies, they may turn green or bluish green. Clean at your . So at the very least you need distilled water as a working medium. Step 4: Add More Baking Soda & Hot Water. One of the most important aspects of cleaning old coins is to know the value first. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Step 2 Add a teaspoon of salt to the bowl full of vinegar, and stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. AspenCleans glass cleaner was voted Parents Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents magazine. How to Clean Coins Without Devaluing Them - ManMadeDIY What is the best solution to clean copper? The composition of the coin, the condition of the coin, and the year of the coin all affect its value. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. You may also have luck selling them online. Repeat the treatment with more oil as needed. Both can damage coins easily. Its best to wear rubber gloves when handling the ketchup and penny because they can both leave your hands stained red if you arent careful! Pull the coins out of the liquid and gently wipe them with a paper towel to break apart the tarnish and dark spots. Start with two tablespoons of baking soda, mixing it with water into a bowl. 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. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Soak your quarters in lemon juice. The level of water in the container should determine when you stop adding pennies into it because they must all get totally submerged into the solution for this process to work. Keep reading below for the best methods for safely cleaning your wheat pennies at home. We will focus on the materials you need, how to use them, and most importantly, how to carry out the cleaning process in a safe way so that the pennies do not get damaged or lose their integrity. Shine the coins to make them look better. 7+ Useful Ways to Clean Copper Pennies - Tips Bulletin Hydrogen peroxide can prove effective in removing various materials, including organic material. You can visit a local coin dealer if you have one nearby. How to Do Something Your Don Know: How to Clean Coins A great way to clean coins without doing damage to them is using a bath of salt and isopropyl alcohol. There are a variety of cleaning methods for wheat pennies. Make sure they are not directly on top of each other. Step 3: Add Tarnished Silver Coins. I hope you enjoyed this article and have learned more about how to clean wheat pennies! So how do you safely store your wheat pennies? Rinse off the ketchup and inspect the condition of your coins. In this video, I'm showing you the 2 safest methods to clean coins without devaluing them. "What stood out was that very common household ingredients were used.". Leave the pennies for around five minutes in the glass of vinegar or lemon juice. This is what gives some pennies their odd bluish hue. Drop your coins into the mixture and let them sit for about 5 minutes. Beach Metal Detectors Some are damaged by contact with other coins, general circulation, or being buried in the ground for many years. ", "It is so amazing, the power of baking soda and vinegar.". 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. It might even be a good idea to stay away from even hiring a professional service to clean them for you. The soap should help keep the coin safe while you gently scrub it. Pull the coins out of the liquid and gently wipe them with a paper towel to break apart the tarnish and dark spots. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Soak the coins for 12 hours. Make a paste: Use a lemon juice/salt or vinegar/salt paste and a sponge to scrub the copper. Elias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Clean them off using distilled water and soap, using an old toothbrush to scour them clean. If necessary, a little bit of gentle soap can be used, with Ivory soap being the preferred brand. After youve cleaned off any grime or other contaminants from your coins surface, its time for step two: cleaning out any crevices that could have collected dust or dirt over time. The aluminum foil is key to the reaction which removes the tarnish. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This natural acid can be used to clean coins, pots and pans, and more. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Different types of coins require different cleaning solutions, so ask an expert if you are not sure. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? You will end up with irreversible damage to the coins. The best thing about using rubbing alcohol is that it will remove the tarnish from your copper coin without damaging its surface. Please do not clean collector coins, I don not take responsibly of any damage done. Dip one penny halfway into the liquid. 1/4 cup white vinegar 1 teaspoon salt A clear, shallow bowl (not metal) 2 clean steel nails A clean steel screw or bolt Paper towels Put the salt and vinegar in the bowl. For coins that are not terribly valuable, you can clean them yourself with little to no worry. When you put your pennies in a vinegar and salt mix, the vinegar and salt react together and remove the copper oxide. Apmex is a well-known auction site for coins. Passchal.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.comSitemap | Contact | Privacy Policy. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. But before you start your timer, make sure none of the pennies are touching themselves. Drop the pennies into the mixture for about 5 minutes. % of people told us that this article helped them. Place your pennies at the bottom of the cup or glass so that they are not stacked on top of each other. Never rub or scrub coins which have numismatic value. wheat pennies found can be worth a small fortune. I would not do any cleaning at all. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Keep in mind that adding more salt to the solution makes it stronger. You want something a bit more gentle for silver coins but you will need a heavier abrasive for your copper pennies. If there are still some stubborn stains on your pennies after rinsing them with water, try using baking soda next time instead; this should help get rid of those stainsand if not then maybe some hand lotion would help soften up those stubborn spots too! But for coins that have collectible value, they are oftentimes worth more than their face value. Let the coins sit in the mixture for about 10 or 15 minutes so that the soap can break down the grime. Pennis that were made prior to 1982 had more copper in them, which can lead to a more intense reaction chemically while cleaning. Sell them the way they are (or as is) and you will surely gain more money from your pennieswell, assuming they are actually worth something, of course. The right materials will effectively clean your pennies and will also be safe for your hands. They will, in fact, devalue. If you dont have vinegar, lemon juice should work just fine. "Knowing how to safely clean copper is big time helpful. 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. Use household cleaners: Basic household cleaners like baking soda, vinegar and salt will work wonders for your copper pennies! Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. You can use lemon juice to clean copper pennies, but youll want to work in a well-ventilated area when you do. Its found naturally in wine, and it works by breaking down the copper oxide coating on your pennies. Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part vinegar. Metal Detector Reviews (for anyone), Garrett AT Pro Review Well, the general rule is if you intend on selling your wheat pennies, you should not clean them. When you clean via any method, you are clearing off small parts of the penny surface along with the corrosion, so a slight change in the appearance of the pennies is actually inevitable. Ketchup can restore the copper glow of a penny. You may even want to take the same steps you learned from here to help clean other dirty pennies that you come across in the future. Clean pennies with Vinegar and Salt NurdRage 664K views 10 years ago How to CLEAN coins HardCoreCopper 43K views 1 year ago Coin Collecting : How Do I Clean Dirty Coins?. Wait about five minutes and check your pennies. Hold the coins under a little bit of running water to ensure all of the cleaning solution rinses off. With wheat pennies, you will want to fill a small dish with fresh water and some dish soap. So if you leave your hand in the ultrasonic cleaner long enough, it will "clean" the flesh from your bones. Let us move on to how to clean wheat pennies you intend to keep or sell yourself without any type of professional grading service. You like wouldnt need the professional cleaning. Do I need to add liquid to it? Keep your coins in a stable, cool, dry location. Rare coins shouldn't be cleaned as doing so could remove the value Credit: Getty. Many people think that a shiny coin will be worth more than a tarnished, old looking coin. You can also try using a damp cloth with baking soda, which will help loosen any stuck-on dirt without damaging the coins surface. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUbe88W78I0&feature=youtu.be&t=13, https://sciencebob.com/clean-pennies-with-vinegar/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMp2OYpCq8&feature=youtu.be&t=27, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHZSYR463uw&feature=youtu.be&t=41, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS9-A1TO67c&feature=youtu.be&t=45, https://www.pennycollector.com/cleaning.html, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/shine-bright-like-a-penny/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7cfVkadI_A&feature=youtu.be&t=174, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7cfVkadI_A&feature=youtu.be&t=928, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUPuRLcm7WY&feature=youtu.be&t=516, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUPuRLcm7WY&feature=youtu.be&t=542. Try not to rub the coin too much with your fingers or the dirt, silt, and other residue on the surface can damage the coin. Step 6: Rinse Silver Coin With Cold Water. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Before you begin cleaning, sort through the coins to determine which coins need the most work. (So before you start using baking soda, vinegar, toothpaste, or ketchup to clean your coins at. Wet the coin with water and roll in baking soda. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Something like a penny for example. Your best bet is to keep them separate so they are not rubbing against eachother. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent.