These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). How to Clean Wheat Pennies Safely and Without Damage, How to Clean Corroded Pennies Safely and Effectively, How to Clean Gold Jewelry With Vinegar Without Any Damage. Drop your coins in a bowl and cover them completely with olive oil. For a safer way to remove stubborn debris and make a coin shine, rub it gently with a little bit of vegetable oil. There are also various commercial cleaners available in the market to clean your pennies, but they may prove a bit expensive if you have lots of pennies to clean. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Put your solution and a small bit of sand into a watertight jar. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly. One of the most important aspects of cleaning old coins is to know the value first. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? Mix equal parts distilled water and lemon juice into a container. Dab some yellow mustard onto a cotton ball or soft cloth and rub firmly over the entire surface of the coin until it starts turning darker than usualthis means that its working! Be patient and try not to get frustrated. After learning about how to clean a copper penny in this article, you should be able to do it well and keep your coin looking better for longer. Enjoy! This, Read More How to Clean Corroded Pennies Safely and EffectivelyContinue, If youve ever discovered gold jewelry in the woods or beach before, then you likely stumbled upon jewelry that was quite dirty and in need, Read More How to Clean Gold Jewelry With Vinegar Without Any DamageContinue, ABOUT|AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE|PRIVACY POLICY|TERMS OF USE. They are too harsh and abrasive to clean wheat pennies with. Under Water Metal Detectors If youre more of a do-it-yourselfer, try using a basic household cleaner to start. Other Ways To Clean Copper Coins Without Damaging Them 1. Just remember to rinse the pennies thoroughly after all cleaning methods. Therefore, before cleaning old coins, consult an expert on the subject. Listerine and other antiseptic mouthwashes can clean dirt, oil, and debris from old coins. It has 3 search coil options, all are waterproof. Soak coins in warm water mixed with liquid dish detergent to clean off light dirt and grime. Rinse off any excess liquid with water and set aside to dry. Use a small plastic container full of hydrogen peroxide. Those are meant to clean items like antique silver vases and your wedding ring. Mix cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl that is non-metallic. For tips on how to shine your coins with baking soda, read on! If they look clean enough, use a soft cloth to dry them. The first step to cleaning a copper penny is soaking it in vinegar. Avoid rubbing where possible as they can scratch and damage the coins surface. Mouthwash not only helps with dental health but can help you clean up dirty coins. You must remember to use these at your discretion. Press ESC to cancel. You will want to use a soft-bristled brush, one that has been well worn in as well as a soft cloth. Start adding your pennies into the solution, but dont throw everything inside at once. WATER. Pull the coins out of the liquid and gently wipe them with a paper towel to break apart the tarnish and dark spots. Clean at your . To clean a copper penny, squeeze out a small amount of tomato ketchup onto the face and back of the coin. Add distilled water and a small amount of dish soap to your shallow bowl. You can also seek the services of the Numismatic Conservation Services. If your pennies still dont get clean after the fifth step, you can mix baking soda with a tablespoon of water, then use an old soft toothbrush to gently scrub the surface. Plain tap water is a good options, if you know your water is not corrosive or hard. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Do not clean these valuable pennies on your own, and if you do, only use distilled water. 2. Just make sure you keep the rubbing to a minimum. By using our site, you agree to our. When a rare coin is found, it is often submitted to professionals, such as those at PCGS, or Professional Coin Grading Services. This natural acid can be used to clean coins, pots and pans, and more. Step 3: Add Tarnished Silver Coins. Hydrogen peroxide can prove effective in removing various materials, including organic material. If you are keeping them for sentimental value or for your own personal collection, you may certainly clean them. The advantage is it will not cause any decrease in numismatic value, but there are better options for cleaning materials. If needed, use a soft towel or soft-bristled brush to scrub the coin. 1 1/2 cups olive oil. Step 5: Rub Away the Tarnish & Grime. But for coins that have collectible value, they are oftentimes worth more than their face value. Some are damaged by contact with other coins, general circulation, or being buried in the ground for many years. The citrus juices are acidic, and mixed with salt, can remove corrosion and debris from wheat pennies. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Believe it or not, you can clean copper coins using yet another household item: ketchup. 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! Step 3 Now put those pennies into the bowl containing the mixture of vinegar and salt. 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. There are a variety of cleaning methods for wheat pennies. Gold Nuggets Metal Detectors We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Thanks. 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.. This step is basically you leaving the pennies to soak inside the salt and lemon juice solution for 15 minutes. Next, mix baking soda and water into a thick paste and rub this paste over the penny using your fingers. Method 1 Removing Dark Spots with Vinegar Download Article 1 Pour 14 cup (59 mL) of white vinegar into a small bowl. Many people think that a shiny coin will be worth more than a tarnished, old looking coin. 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. [1] 2 Add enough acetic acid (vinegar, white vinegar is most recommended) to moisten the salt into a paste. [2] 3 Now simply apply the paste to the penny wherever you want it to brighten up. You want something a bit more gentle for silver coins but you will need a heavier abrasive for your copper pennies. After a good shake, take the coins out and rinse them off. If there are stubborn stains that dont seem like theyre budging, try scrubbing them vigorously with steel wool while theyre still wet; this should do wonders when trying to remove stubborn grime from coins like pennies made out of zinc (which often have dark spots). When they are sufficiently clean, lay them out on a soft cloth, dabbing them dry with gentle pressure. Step-2: Mix dish soap with water in a bowl. Do not rub them or the dirt and debris on them can scratch them and ruin the value. Finally, drop the coins in, seal the lid, and shake it. Keep in mind that adding more salt to the solution makes it stronger. Abrasive cleaning, using a brush and an acid or alcohol solution, can leave the coin with hair lines and discrepancies in the metal that may only be seen under the right lighting and magnification. If this does not bother, you and you simply want to restore the coin for yourself you can use a baking soda paste. For coins that are not terribly valuable, you can clean them yourself with little to no worry. One good option is the traditional 2 by 2 cardboard and mylar protective sheaths. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. EBay, one of the most popular online auction sites, charges a 10 percent fee plus listing fees. If your penny is really important to you. Make a paste: Use a lemon juice/salt or vinegar/salt paste and a sponge to scrub the copper. There are a variety of suggested ways when it comes to cleaning coins, and cleaning . The baking soda isnt acidic like vinegar and citrus juice solutions, so leaving the paste in place for a while is safe. In this article well take a look at the top 10 tips for cleaning a copper penny. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Using a toothbrush or other soft-bristled brush, gently scrub the baking soda into each coin, especially on the corroded areas. While it is very possible to clean your pennies without damaging them, it is hard to say the same for the market value of the pennies. This makes it easier for copper atoms to join oxygen from the air and chlorine from the salt and form a blue green compound called malachite. All items are affected by the passage of time, and coins are no different. My dad has collected coins my entire life. The concept is the same as white vinegar and salt. The soap should help keep the coin safe while you gently scrub it. This way, you can take any preventative measures necessary to clean the coins and retain their value. Let us move on to how to clean wheat pennies you intend to keep or sell yourself without any type of professional grading service. Hydrogen peroxide can be an effective way to clean your coins. Your fingers contain oils, acids, and minuscule pieces of grit that will adhere to the surface of the coins and cause them to discolor or suffer microscopic scratching. Wet the coin with water and roll in baking soda. Take them out, setting them on the cloth. The key is to ensure that you dont use anything super abrasive, especially on older coins. Signs of cleaning can be evident in many ways and often affect the value of the coin. Stir the mixture to dissolve the salt. Pennis that were made prior to 1982 had more copper in them, which can lead to a more intense reaction chemically while cleaning. Repeat the process as many times as you need in order to get the coins clean. After brushing each penny, rinse with clean water and dry, it should be looking good as new by now. The safest way to clean a coin is to send it a professional. Tartaric acid is a weak organic acid, which means its not as corrosive to your penny as other chemicals. I would not do any cleaning at all. In fact, 99% of coins do not increase in value after you clean them. AspenCleans glass cleaner was voted Parents Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents magazine. Clean them off using distilled water and soap, using an old toothbrush to scour them clean. Copper, silver, nickel, and gold coins should strictly never be cleaned. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. "What stood out was that very common household ingredients were used.". The effect is achieved only where the mixture has been in contact with the coin, so ensure you cover the entire coin! You can use lemon juice to clean copper pennies, but youll want to work in a well-ventilated area when you do. Use a stronger acid like ketchup or cola to strip away the green patina that forms when copper is exposed to salt and water. This website uses cookies to improve your experience, but you may opt out if you wish. 5. Use Water Sometimes the simplest methods are best. LARISA NIEDLE You'll Need: Salt White vinegar (or fresh lemon juice) Shallow plastic container Cloth or paper towel Baking soda (optional) Toothbrush (optional) Dishwashing liquid (optional) 02 of 07 Step 1: LARISA NIEDLE In a jar, combine 1 cup vinegar (or lemon juice) and 1 tablespoon salt. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Ketchup is composed of vinegar, salt, and tomatoes. 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. This way, you should not have to worry about cleaning them on a regular basis. These cookies do not store any personal information. Dissolve 1 tsp (7 g) of table salt in a bowl with of white distilled vinegar. Simply hold your copper penny by its edges between your thumb and forefinger, then dip its entire surface into a small bowl of freshly squeezed lemon juice. You must be gentle. Ensure you rinse all the vinegar off the coin once it is cleaned. Hot sauce and brown colas are some other household substances that work well on copper coins. There will be times when you think your coin is clean, only to discover later that its still dirty. With your paper towel, clean the pennies carefully and watch how they start getting clean and shiny. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. 2 Pour a few ounces of vinegar into a shallow dish. The amount of vinegar used to clean the pennies depends on the number of coins you wish to clean. Wheat pennies were made of different metals during different years depending on the need for metals. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Dish soap is also a good and very gentle way to clean coins. Let them air dry or wipe them with a soft, microfiber cloth. If you do have hard water or highly acidic water, try using distilled water. If the water is not enough, continue down the list and use dish soap. They will, in fact, devalue. Start with two tablespoons of baking soda, mixing it with water into a bowl. Ketchup can restore the copper glow of a penny. Soak your pennies for five minutes in vinegar to dissolve any copper oxide . This method is the best way to clean your pennies, and it will produce a very bright orangey-copper color on your pennies. If you are planning to sell your cleaned pennies, using chemicals or scrubbing methods for cleaning could leave marks on the coins and an appraiser could easily discover this, which will greatly reduce the market value of your pennies. Submerge the coins in a shallow bath of vinegar and let them soak for at least an hour. This article was co-authored by Elias Weston. Should the oil start to look discolored, change it out. Salt and vinegar combinations have been used to clean coins for many yearsthis method is actually on display in one of the earlier videos I shared above. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. How do you clean old copper coins without damaging them? Soak your quarters in lemon juice. After 24 hours of drying time (72 hours if you live in humid conditions), use a soft cloth like an old T-shirt or washcloth to buff up all sides of your penny until it has regained most of its original shine! Both can damage coins easily. Put the coin in the bowl and slowly rub the coin with your finger from both sides. Coins generally lose value as they get cleaner. 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?. The wheat penny was produced until 1958, with a few changes along the way. If you decide to clean your wheat pennies, make sure you start with the least invasive cleaning method first. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. When they start to look cleaner, remove them from the bowl. Simply run the water over the coin, or let it soak in the water. In terms of valuable wheat pennies, while it can range vastly depending on the pennys condition, here are some best case scenarios in terms of value for a select few: If you happen to have one of these in your wheat penny collection, consider yourself incredibly lucky! What do you see? Ketchup. There is something so magical and intriguing about looking through coins from the past. As a general rule, make the paste at a ratio of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. You can clean as many pennies you want with a single pencil eraser. You should also rub the coin gently to remove debris, and rinse it under the tap to wash off the oil. Drop the pennies into the mixture for about 5 minutes. 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 copper coins in a vinegar and salt solution. In fact, it would probably be extremely wise to do so, at least from a sanitary perspective. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. When you have them totally clean, let them air dry and enjoy the bright sheen that your pennies have. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? If you want to use tartaric acid on your pennies, all you have to do is dissolve some crystals of it in warm water. How to clean green corroded copper coins Mix cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl that is non-metallic. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. [5] The salt and vinegar in the ketchup will remove tarnish from the penny. Fill the bowl with enough lemon juice to cover the quarter. Leave the pennies for around five minutes in the glass of vinegar or lemon juice. It is definitely cheaper to clean it yourself, but there are occasions where it would be more prudent of you to allow professionals to handle it. Take them out, setting them on the cloth. For others, coins can be collected throughout the years, some of which become quite valuable.
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