Q&A for How to Clean Coins

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  • Question
    How do you clean coins that have oxidized?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Before you do anything, remember that you should never clean coins that you think may be collectible as this can greatly devalue them. If this isn't an issue, then for oxidized pennies, you can soak them in 1/4 cup vinegar mixed with 1-2 teaspoons of salt for a few minutes. Just be sure to rinse off the vinegar with water after you've soaked them, since any remaining vinegar residue could cause the coins to oxidize again.
  • Question
    Can Coca Cola clean a coin?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, Coca Cola contains phosphoric acid, which can help remove oxidation or dirt from coins like pennies. But never clean a coin yourself if you think it may be valuable and there are many, much less sticky cleaners out there that will clean coins as well or better!
  • Question
    Can you clean coins with vinegar?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    First, if you think your coins might be of any value, do not clean them at all, since you can possibly damage them by soaking in cleaners like vinegar. If you want to clean the coin for some other reason, vinegar should work fine. First, rinse your coins in some cold water to get rid of any dust or grime on the surface. You can also use a toothbrush to remove surface gunk if you wish. Then mix together 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1-2 teaspoons of salt in a bowl that can hold all your coins. Submerge your coins in the solution for a few minutes, rinse them in warm water to remove any vinegar (which could corrode the coins if left on them) and then polish them clean with a cloth or paper towel. If this isn't enough you can try repeating the process and soaking the coins for a little longer.
  • Question
    How do you clean corroded coins?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Be sure to never attempt to clean coins that you think may be valuable! If you're cleaning them for some other reason you can try soaking in vinegar, or using baking soda and a toothbrush to try to remove corrosion abrasively. Soaking in mineral oil, olive oil or acetone may also be viable options.
  • Question
    Could I clean and shine coins with Coke?
    Community Answer
    You can use any fizzy drinks; the acid shines.
  • Question
    Will my coins increase in quality and value if I clean them?
    Community Answer
    If the coin has numismatic (collectible) value, then cleaning them will reduce the value of the coins. These numismatic coins should be left alone. If the coin is in circulation, then the coin will stay at face value. So in short, cleaning won't increase the value of any coins.
  • Question
    How do I clean a coin with paint on it?
    Community Answer
    Try using isopropyl alcohol, or search how to clean coins with baking soda.
  • Question
    How do I remove a rusty and black tar-like substance from my coins?
    Community Answer
    Put some vinegar on the rusty area for about 10 minutes, then rub the vinegar off with a wet sponge or toothbrush.
  • Question
    I have a green mold-like stuff on a bunch of coins. How can I clean them?
    Community Answer
    Coins are not susceptible to mold so soak them in soapy lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes and scrub them, but not too abrasively.
  • Question
    My coins were involved in the recent flood in Louisiana. How should I clean them, and are they susceptible to mold?
    Community Answer
    Put your coins in a container with some mild soap. Wait 5-10 minutes, then take them out and gently brush them with an old toothbrush. Coins are not susceptible to mold.
  • Question
    My coin collection was submerged under flood waters twice, and most of the coins have turned black or dark brown. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Put your coins in a container with some water and a mild hand soap. Wait for 5-10 minutes, then take the coins out and wash them off. Dry the coins.
  • Question
    How do I get old scotch tape glue off old coins?
    Community Answer
    Avon Skin So Soft takes tar and sap off of car mirrors, and should work nicely for your purpose.
  • Question
    What effect does dish soap have on coins?
    Community Answer
    Dish soap does not diminish the look of a coin, unless the coin has been scrubbed too abrasively.
  • Question
    How do I clean a lot of dimes at once?
    Community Answer
    A good way is to use an isopropyl alcohol bath, a cola bath, or an acetone bath.
  • Question
    My mom used to boil coins to clean them. Does this work?
    Community Answer
    You can't thoroughly clean coins just with hot water; they need chemicals to be clean. I recommend using the alcohol and salt trick.
  • Question
    What can I use to remove the black substance from my pennies?
    Ooma
    Community Answer
    Put some vinegar on the black area for about 10 minutes, then rub the vinegar off with a wet sponge or toothbrush.
  • Question
    What ratio of vinegar and sugar will clean coins?
    Community Answer
    Around 1/4 cup vinegar and 1-2 teaspoons of sugar.
  • Question
    What can I use to clean pennies?
    Flosut0708
    Community Answer
    Vinegar and salt can clean pennies. Simply stir vinegar and salt together, put the pennies in, and take them out after ten seconds. Wipe off the excess liquid. Don't do this on valuable coins in case of an after effect.
  • Question
    My coins accidentally fell into some bleach and turned black and gray. How can I get them back to their original color?
    Community Answer
    Vinegar or any other acidic substance would help immensely. Scrub the coins with a toothbrush and then wipe them off with a q-tip.
  • Question
    Can coins be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner? What cleaning solution to use?
    Community Answer
    Put the coins in to soak for several days, then rinse off what’s loose. Scrub with a toothbrush to remove excess dirt, then put it in your ultrasonic cleaner with a drop of mild hand wash and run 5 minutes at a time. Some coins will require more work than they are worth.
  • Question
    I recently received some old pennies, and I think some of them have battery acid on them. How can I clean them?
    Community Answer
    Take aluminum foil and scrub it off. Try not to touch the acid because it is not good for skin or clothing.
  • Question
    How do I get rust and dirt off of coins safely?
    Community Answer
    You can get the dirt off using lemon and salt.
  • Question
    How do I remove varnish from an anniversary coin that was on a plaque?
    Community Answer
    Go to a professional so the precious coin isn't damaged. Scratching your anniversary coin is the last thing you would want.
  • Question
    How do I remove a tar-like substance from a vintage nickel?
    Ooma
    Community Answer
    Put some vinegar on the affected area for about 10 minutes, then rub the vinegar off with a wet sponge or toothbrush.
  • Question
    How do I get the green and black stuff off of my coins?
    Community Answer
    Soak the coins in vinegar, and then get remove the vinegar and dry your coins.
  • Question
    How can I make my coins shiny for display purposes if I am not concerned about the future value of the collection?
    Community Answer
    You can mix baking soda and water to make a paste and rub that on the coin, then rinse it off.
  • Question
    How do I clean a coin without decreasing the value.
    Community Answer
    The short answer is to make sure the coin you're cleaning is still in circulation. Cleaning any coin that might one day be worth more is generally a bad idea.
  • Question
    How do I clean coins that were in a fire?
    Community Answer
    Try the cola or alcohol bath if there is ash or charred stuff on the coin. If no amount of cola can clean off the substances, see a professional if the coin means a lot to you, and you are willing to pay for its cleaning.
  • Question
    Will cleaning coins with a lemon or lime work?
    Community Answer
    Ye,s but this is suggested for pennies because they react more with the copper due to the acidity levels in the lemon/lime juice.
  • Question
    What can cause a greenish wax-like coating on a coin?
    Community Answer
    This is normal for copper coins, like pennies. Copper appears greener as it ages. If the coin is not copper, it may have come into contact with something that gave it a green coating.
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