How to clean coins - the best ways from experienced numismatists

According to statistics, many people of different ages are interested in numismatics, which forces them to "hunt" for rare coins. Virtually any metal after a while lends itself to oxidation, which affects the appearance. In this case, information on how to clean coins will be very useful.

Cleaning coins at home

There are a huge number of techniques used to remove various contaminants from coins. They are used both by collectors and by people searching for treasures. It is important to consider a number of tips on how to clean old coins at home:

1. Choose the cleaning method should be, focusing on the alloy from which the contaminated specimen is made. The thing is that some funds can provoke reactions that will spoil the coins. Do not use formulations with large abrasive particles, as they will leave scratches on the surface.
2. It is not recommended to clean coins with concentrated acids. Especially this applies to specimens made of copper.
3. Note that for some coins, the presence of a patina is an ornament that gives a noble appearance and its removal will lead to a decrease in value.
4. Describing how to properly clean coins, it is worth pointing out that before proceeding the procedure it is recommended to check the selected tool on less valuable items made from similar material.

How to clean silver coins?

To clean precious coins, you can use baking soda and a solution of ammonia. If these methods do not work, then you can use formic acid, which can remove dirt if it is heated to 70 ° C. This tool will help remove rust and other contaminants. When deciding how to clean a silver coin, it is worth pointing out that there is a tool - a Zilbertaushbader, which experts use to clean silver items.

Cleaning of coins from copper

Products made of copper are considered to be the most capricious, so the choice of a suitable method should be approached carefully. The most popular options are based on the use of vinegar and soap. These methods are described below, and the cleaning of copper coins from greenery can be carried out as follows:

1. Vaseline oil. In this product it is necessary to boil the products until the contamination disappears. At the end of the procedure, rinse them with alcohol and wipe with a cloth.
2. Hydrogen peroxide. To make the coins shiny, it is recommended to mix 30 ml of hydrogen peroxide, a small spoon of ammonia and 200 ml of water. Put the coins in the solution for 15 minutes. and wipe with a soft rag.

How to clean bimetallic coins?

When making coins, for example, jubilee, two different metals are used: for the central part, steel or silver is used, and for edging - copper, gold or various alloys. There are simple ways how to clean coins at home:

1. Detergent. Good results with minor impurities give a popular dish detergent - "Fairy", it is necessary in 1 liter of water to stir 1 tbsp. spoon. In the finished solution, put coins for an hour, and then wipe with a flannel cloth.
2. Toothpaste. Pea common pasta squeeze on a brush with a soft nap and wipe it without pressing a coin. Cleaning of bimetallic coins ends with rinsing in water. There are testimonials that after a while the surface may fade, and to give the product a shine, put it on for 5 minutes. in a solution of formic acid 14% or alcohol. At the end of the procedure, polish the coins.
3. Paste GOI. As part of this tool, there are fine abrasive particles that can remove dirt and oxides. Use paste better for inexpensive coins. You can brush with a brush, but it's best to use a mechanical engraver with a felt attachment. Turnovers should be set at 10-15 thousand per minute.

How to clean the nickel silver coins?

The nickel alloy is very similar to noble metals, and it also turns black and oxidizes. You can use different ways of giving shine and for those who are interested in how to clean old coins, they offer such techniques:

1. Powder for dishes. To remove impurities, you must first moisten the coin in water, and then apply a powder on it. It will only sponge the surface and leave everything for a while and rinse in water. Wear gloves before carrying out the procedure.
2. Ash. Continuing to explain how to clean old coins, you should mention an unusual way to remove patina. It involves the use of ashes from cigarettes. First, dip the coin into water and apply ash on it. Leave everything for 20 minutes, and then, rub the gruel into a coin and rinse.

How to clean brass coins?

Money made from copper-zinc alloy is not particularly prone to corrosion, but from time to time cleaning may be necessary. If you are interested in what to clean brass coins at home, then you should know that such means will be effective: thick soap solution, citric acid and coca-cola. In addition, you can use these options:

1. Oxalic acid. In the store you can buy a product that quickly removes the raid. Dip coins for 5-10 minutes, then they are necessarily washed in water.
2. Trilon-B. Disperse this agent in warm water, taking into account the proportion of 1:10. Dip a coin into the solution and rinse it periodically in running water and check the condition. If necessary, soaking is repeated.

Cleaning of coins from aluminum bronze

Products made of this material can be cleaned using the options described for copper coins. There are several more methods, like cleaning old coins at home:

1. Coca Cola. A good solvent for contaminants is a popular drink that needs to be poured into the products and left for a week. After the allotted period of the coin wash in the water, and the result will be unbelievable.
2. Bathroom cleaner. In a solution of a coin it is necessary to lower only for couple of minutes, and then to rinse.

Methods for cleaning coins

There are several methods of cleaning coins with the help of available tools that can be found at home. Thanks to experiments, you can find the most effective option for yourself. There is a universal tool for cleaning coins, which includes several ingredients. With it, you can remove the green coating, rust and other oxides:

1. Mix 25 ml of soap and soda solution and add 75 ml of toothpaste and 25 ml of ammonia.
2. Dip all the coins into the finished product and leave them there until completely cleaned. From time to time, remove and rub with a toothbrush to evaluate the result. In the end, rinse the coins with water.

Cleaning coins by electrolysis

For the procedure will need electrical appliances, so it is important to take into account safety rules. Describing how to clean Soviet coins, it is worth noting that when using electrolysis, the risk of spoiling the product significantly increases. It is necessary to conduct the procedure in a well-lit and ventilated room. Protect hands and eyes, of course. There is an instruction on how to clean coins by electrolysis:

1. Prepare a power supply with a voltage of 6-12 V. Cut off the plugs and cut the wires into two parts. Clean the ends and fasten the copper wires to the clamps.
2. Take a container of plastic and fill it with brine, connecting 1 liter of water with 1 tbsp. spoon of salt.
3. Plug the power supply into the mains and lower the clamps into the brine. At the clamp "+" you will hear a hiss and it should be connected to the coin. The cleaning process will take approximately 10 minutes.

Cleaning coins with ammonia

To cope with copper oxides, it is necessary to use chemical methods of cleaning. For example, you can apply a 5-15% solution of ammonia, which is popularly called molasses. Please note that this product has a pungent odor, so use it carefully. There are several features, like clearing a coin to shine in ammonia:

1. Pour the product into a plastic container and drop coins there, which should be periodically turned. Please note that you can not get them right away, because the product may be damaged.
2. When the cleaning is completed, it is necessary to pour water into ammonia, thereby reducing the concentration. Only when the solution is weak, you can get coins and rinse them under running water.

Cleaning the coins with soap

One of the simplest methods, which has been used for more than a decade, involves the use of household soap . It not only removes dirt well, but it is also safe for the product. Finding out what you can clean the coins, it is worth considering the instruction on the use of soap:

1. In a plastic container, pour boiling water and mix 70% of laundry soap. Close the container and leave it until the mixture has a thick consistency.
2. After this, send the coins to the received weight and leave them for two days. After the time has elapsed, remove them and clean them using a soft toothbrush. If contamination remains, the procedure can be repeated.

Cleaning coins with citric acid

Clean coins and save money, you can citric acid. It removes dirt and gives coins a shine, as if they were only minted. Note that the prepared solution can be aggressive towards the metal, so it is important to monitor the process constantly. Cleaning copper and silver coins occurs in different ways. When using copper products, consider:

1. In a plastic container, pour in citric acid and pour in water. The concentration of the solution can be chosen independently, given the degree of contamination.
2. Stir the solution until the acid is completely dissolved and put coins in it. When one side is clean, turn over to the other side.
3. Citric acid during the procedure removes the patina, which you can restore if you want. It is necessary to place the cleaned coins from the back of the ventilation grill in the kitchen for a few days.

Another will be an instruction on how to clean coins with citric acid, if they are made of silver:

1. In a plastic container, pour 200 ml of warm water and add 2 teaspoons of citric acid. Stir until dissolved.
2. Dip into the coin solution for 10 minutes, and then, remove and wipe them with a toothbrush. It is important not to leave them for a long time in solution.

Can I clean the coins with vinegar?

If the coins are not of particular value, then you can use a solution of vinegar, which can change the color or corrode the surface. In addition, there is an opinion that after such cleansing, the products will deteriorate more strongly. You can just put coins in a 10% vinegar solution for a day, but there is another way. Describing how to clean an old coin, you should suggest a solution with a solution of vinegar and salt:

1. Take the 1/4 tbsp. vinegar and add 5 g of salt. If there are a lot of coins, then use 0.5 tbsp. vinegar and 15 grams of salt. Stir until the salt dissolves completely. Put the coins in a mortar so that they lie separately from each other. Soaking time - 5 min. If some dirt is not gone, then treat the coins with a brush. It will remain to wash them in strong water.

Cleaning soda coins

An effective method is an alkaline cleaning method, which is suitable for coins made of copper and silver. For those who are interested in how to clean the coins with soda, it is worthwhile to know that there are two ways:

1. Mechanical cleaning of coins involves the creation in the first stage of gruel, for which a spoonful of soda add a little water. The resulting mixture is applied to the coin, then remove the impurities using a soft brush. Soda can be used after acid cleaning to quench the reaction.
2. To get a good result, you can combine cleaning with a solution of soap and soda. After cleaning, lubricate the surface with alcohol and vaseline oil.