Do you want to make the dull and dirty coins in your collection shine like they’re brand new again? Over the years, they can get coated in dirt, grime, and tarnish, but you can easily clean most coins at home with products you already have. Before you start scrubbing all your coins, there are a few things you should know. Keep reading to find the best household hacks for cleaning coins, and what you should do differently if they’re antique collectibles.
Things You Should Know:
Soak coins in warm water mixed with liquid dish detergent to clean off light dirt and grime. Wash each coin gently with a soft toothbrush before rinsing and drying it.
Scrub low-value coins with baking soda and vinegar, lemon juice and salt, or ketchup to break apart tarnish.
Remove tough tarnish on coins by soaking them in hydrogen peroxide or cola. Alternatively, dip each coin in a commercial cleaner.
Check with a professional coin grading service before cleaning collectible or antique coins since they may be more valuable in their current condition.
Basic Coin Cleaning:
Hold the coin under cold water. Keep the coin under the running water for about 1 minute on each side. Gently rub the coin between your fingers to help loosen some of the dirt and grime on the surface. Set the coins on a soft towel when you’re finished rinsing them.
Rub the coins with a soapy water solution. Fill a small bowl with warm water from your faucet and mix in a squirt of dish soap. Dip each coin in the soapy water one at a time and keep it submerged. Rub your thumb and index finger over the coin to help the soap break apart dirt or grit.
Brush the coins with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a paper towel. Keep your coins submerged in the soapy water solution while you brush them. Gently scrub the face of the coin until it turns shiny again, which may take a couple of minutes. Rinse the coin off with clean water every 30 seconds to check for any spots you missed. When you’re finished, give the coin one final rinse.
Dry off the coins with a towel. Pat each coin gently with a lint-free towel to absorb all of the moisture. Make sure that each coin is completely dry so the metal doesn’t wear away over time.
Caring for Collectible Coins:
Ask a professional coin grader to see if you should clean antique coins. Look for a coin dealer in your area and bring your coins in to have them evaluated. Since the discoloration and patina caused by exposure to air can actually add to the coin’s overall value, wait until you hear from an expert before doing anything.
Wipe surface dirt off with a cotton swab soaked in acetone. Dip the end of your cotton swab in acetone so it’s damp. Carefully wipe the cotton swab over the face of the coin so you coat the entire surface. Go over the coin again with the dry end of the cotton swab to pick up any residual dirt or liquid on the surface.
Store your coins in hard plastic holders. Set your coin inside of the plastic holder and snap it closed so nothing can get on the surface. Avoid opening the container after putting your coin away so it doesn’t get exposed to the environment around it.
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