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). Vinegar is a great cleaning agent because it will remove the copper oxide that's on your pennies. Since all alcohol is neutral (having neither acidic or alkaline charges) it will only remove ceraint oil base soils. Both can damage coins easily. You can also find protective books which have individual sleeves for each coin. 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. If you are keeping them for sentimental value or for your own personal collection, you may certainly clean them. Just make sure you keep the rubbing to a minimum. So here's how to clean a penny with vinegar: Get a small glass (or another kind of non-corrosive container) and fill it with some white vinegar - just enough to submerge a coin below the surface. Keep reading below for the best methods for safely cleaning your wheat pennies at home. The wheat penny was produced until 1958, with a few changes along the way. Your email address will not be published. The best way to clean pennies is to never ever clean them. If you do have hard water or highly acidic water, try using distilled water. Where I live, we have acidic and hard water. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. You should also rub the coin gently to remove debris, and rinse it under the tap to wash off the oil. In many cases, cleaning a coin can lower the value of the coin as a collectors item. So, thinking about cleaning them is not wrong, and they can be cleaned in several ways. Wash each coin gently with a soft toothbrush before rinsing and drying it. 1 1/2 cups olive oil. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. This website uses cookies to improve your experience, but you may opt out if you wish. You can also seek the services of the Numismatic Conservation Services. Remove the coins and dump out the lemon solution, and then pour the olive oil and one teaspoon of lemon juice into the container. Of course, there are other ways to clean corroded pennies. EBay, one of the most popular online auction sites, charges a 10 percent fee plus listing fees. The first step to cleaning a copper penny is soaking it in vinegar. Last Updated: November 9, 2022 Keep your coins in a stable, cool, dry location. Those are meant to clean items like antique silver vases and your wedding ring. They include: Fresh lemon juice Salt White vinegar A toothbrush Baking soda A small container A paper towel. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. The Garrett Ace Apex is one of my favorite metal detectors for coin shooting. Mix your hand soap in with the water, creating a soapy mixture. Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? Mouthwash not only helps with dental health but can help you clean up dirty coins. Again, if you have hard or corrosive water, go with distilled water. In fact, it would probably be extremely wise to do so, at least from a sanitary perspective. wheat pennies found can be worth a small fortune. Dry them off with paper towels. Use Water Sometimes the simplest methods are best. Rinse them off after soaking them in vinegar so they dont reabsorb any of that dirt onto themselves! For tips on how to shine your coins with baking soda, read on! When they are sufficiently clean, lay them out on a soft cloth, dabbing them dry with gentle pressure. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Clean at your . Copper coins often turn a muddled brown color, and these marks can be cleaned off with salt and a mild acid like white vinegar. Rinse with freshwater and let air dry. Therefore, before cleaning old coins, consult an expert on the subject. 3 What is the fastest way to clean copper coins? This way, you should not have to worry about cleaning them on a regular basis. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If you have recently gone metal detecting and found several wheat pennies, what do you do with them now? To clean your copper coins, start by adding some vinegar or orange juice to a small bowl, and stirring in 1 teaspoon of salt. This is what gives some pennies their odd bluish hue. If you need to remove dirt from your coins, remove the worst of it with a tooth pick. Start with a mixture of warm, soapy water when cleaning silver coins. The advantage is it will not cause any decrease in numismatic value, but there are better options for cleaning materials. Basically, it all depends on why you are getting your pennies cleaned in the first place. Finally, drop the coins in, seal the lid, and shake it. I usually DO NOT use water or oil, b. Water is one of the best and safest ways to clean your wheat pennies. Coins Metal Detectors If it doesnt work for you, or somehow has hurt or damaged the penny in your eyes, stop using this method and find one you feel is a bit better. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But do notenothing is 100% safe or 100% fool proof. Wipe down the surface of your penny with another clean cloth or paper towel until all dirt has been removed from its surface. It can even be used as a metal polishing solution. 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. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. 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! Dry the coins with a microfiber cloth to give them that extra shine! Drop your coins into the mixture and let them sit for about 5 minutes. 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. This article may contain affiliate links, How to Paint Concrete [From Preparation to Sealing], 14 Ways to Open a Stuck Jar A Helpful Guide, A Guide to Wood Finishes That Are Food Safe, How to Significantly Improve Your Charcoal Grill, How to Remove Scratches From Stainless Steel, Pickled Cherry Tomatoes are Definitely a Thing You Need to Know About. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 438,144 times. If the coins still look a little dull, try treating them with more paste. Mix cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl that is non-metallic. Let them air dry the rest of the way. % of people told us that this article helped them. Split your coins into three categories: showing good detail, showing some detail, and showing no detail. In this video I clean three old worn large cents. Coins / February 17, 2021 by Walt / Leave a Comment. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. If you want to use tartaric acid on your pennies, all you have to do is dissolve some crystals of it in warm water. 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. 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! Experts can always tell if a coin has been cleaned improperly. Mix equal parts distilled water and lemon juice into a container. Soak the coins for 12 hours. The aluminum foil is key to the reaction which removes the tarnish. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Easy & Effective Ways to Clean Dirty Coins at Home, 10+ Ways to Clean Your Clipper Blades like a Pro Barber. How to clean copper pennies using vinegar and baking soda. Some are damaged by contact with other coins, general circulation, or being buried in the ground for many years. NEVER drink the solution that was used to clean the pennies. This article was co-authored by Elias Weston. Use a stronger acid like ketchup or cola to strip away the green patina that forms when copper is exposed to salt and water. Repeat the treatment with more oil as needed. Soak your pennies for five minutes in vinegar to dissolve any copper oxide . You might have to use multiple methods or go back and forth between methods until you find the one that works best for you. There are various other methods to clean your pennies. Its also an effective way to remove oxidation from copper and make sure that there are no stains left behind. As a general rule, make the paste at a ratio of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. You can also clean pennies with a combination of salt and lemon juice or salt and orange juice. CoinsForSale.com charges a 5 percent selling fee and no listing fee. For older, condition-sensitive coins, a gentle bath of water and mild hand soap will suffice. Wet the penny with warm water until its thoroughly dampened (but not dripping). 1 How do you clean old copper coins without damaging them? Avoid rubbing where possible as they can scratch and damage the coins surface. [3] 4 The acetic acid in white vinegar can help remove contaminants from your coins. At this stage, the corrosion on the pennies mustve reacted with the lemon and salt solution, so it is time for you to start removing them from the container. 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. In this article, we will go into details about the steps you should take if you want to turn corroded pennies into their original fine, bright form. Make sure that you continue to stir in the salt until it dissolves, then place the pennies in so that they are not stacked in any way. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Dissolve 1 tsp (7 g) of table salt in a bowl with of white distilled vinegar. Start adding your pennies into the solution, but dont throw everything inside at once. Place the quarter you want to clean into a small plastic bowl. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid5915095-v4-728px-Clean-Copper-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 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! Rinse the coin very well under warm water. My dad has collected coins my entire life. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Everyday change can be cleaned in just about any type of way. Grab some past with your thumb and forefinger, rubbing it gently onto both sides of the penny. The concept is the same as white vinegar and salt. Ultrasonic cleaners work by microcavitation. Again, use small circular motions, scrubbing the entirety of the coin for a minute or so. You can also use baking soda and salt to clean your pennies. 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. In fact, I use dish soap to clean my wedding ring, necklaces, and other jewelry. Vinegar solutions are effective for removing dark spots on coins, but they also tend to make coins look a little dull. So there is no need for you to buy harsh bleaching agents, because you want to clean corroded pennies, these simple ones can help you achieve your goals if you use them properly. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments below. If you are not worried about damaging the coins as much, you can continue down the list and use some of the more abrasive cleaning methods. Rare coins shouldn't be cleaned as doing so could remove the value Credit: Getty. It only requires rubbing the penny with a pencil eraser. Wheat pennies were made of different metals during different years depending on the need for metals. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. "What stood out was that very common household ingredients were used.". Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda. Even if they appear corroded and lacking shine or have a tarnish on them. Hydrogen peroxide can prove effective in removing various materials, including organic material. What is the formula for calculating solute potential? Lemon juice is acidic and can cause damage to the skin if inhaled or spilled. Rinse the coins thoroughly with water to remove the baking soda and vinegar solution. If you want to go with something that is both inexpensive and likely already in your home, olive oil is the right choice. For tips on how to shine your coins with baking soda, read on! For coins that dont have collectible value, you can use sand, olive oil, and even isopropyl alcohol to get the job done. You may want to try using some non-abrasive cleaners (like vinegar) if youre worried about removing any patina on your coinand always keep in mind that these cleaners are only meant as a starting point! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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?. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Heat safe container. To clean using this method, place your coins in a small plastic container, fill with enough hydrogen peroxide to cover, and soak for 24 hours. When you put your pennies in a vinegar and salt mix, the vinegar and salt react together and remove the copper oxide. They must all lie flat at the bottom of the container. 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. 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! Copper is a soft metal, so copper coins are prone to degrading over time. This detector works very well in areas with high soil mineralization. If your penny is really important to you. There are a variety of cleaning methods for wheat pennies. 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. Step 4 Now take out the pennies from that mixture, and wash them in water. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. It is easy to just use any cleaning agent for this, but you need to understand that there are many cleaning materials that will potentially damage the penniesand even hurt your skin in the process. 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. Using a soft cloth, apply your chosen cleaner to the coin and allow it to soak in for five minutes. Step 3: Add Tarnished Silver Coins. 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. Dump all the pennies into the liquid. If you decide to clean your wheat pennies, make sure you start with the least invasive cleaning method first. Just make sure that you gently apply the olive oil and you can help prevent tarnish over time. Its found naturally in wine, and it works by breaking down the copper oxide coating on your pennies. Submerge the coins in a shallow bath of vinegar and let them soak for at least an hour. It removes various materials including organic material. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Pennies are made from highly reactive metals like copper or copper alloys, so it is only normal for them to get corroded with time. How do you clean badly tarnished copper coins? Use a soft cloth to rub the paste on the surface of the copper. Lightly rub the ketchup into the coin with a soft toothbrush, then rinse off the ketchup. If you feel that it needs longer, you can soak it for up to 15 minutes. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Copper coins often turn a muddled brown color, and these marks can be cleaned off with salt and a mild acid like white vinegar. Before you do anything, do your research to know the value of the coin. If you don't have any vinegar on hand, a 1:1 ratio of water to acetone will produce the same effect. 6 Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. You can use your finger or an exceptionally fine brush to remove any stuck-on dirt. Lemon juice. In a small container, place a small amount of table-salt (1 gram is plenty). Vinegar is most effective for cleaning copper. Start with two tablespoons of baking soda, mixing it with water into a bowl. Warm distilled water can be used to clean coins. This means distilled water. Some of these have relatively sound science behind them, but they should be used at your own risk. This eliminates the possibility of abrasions to your investment. Rinse and dry: After scrubbing, rinse in warm water and dry the copper with a lint-free dishtowel. I would not do any cleaning at all. There are many options for selling wheat pennies. This method is the best way to clean your pennies, and it will produce a very bright orangey-copper color on your pennies. What do you see? 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. 2 Pour a few ounces of vinegar into a shallow dish. If you are keeping them or do not care if they are damaged, you can use methods like vinegar, peroxide, baking soda, mouthwash or even, dare I say, ketchup! Use a small plastic container full of hydrogen peroxide. This is a simple, inexpensive method that works well on pennies that arent too tarnished. Method 1 Removing Dark Spots with Vinegar Download Article 1 Pour 14 cup (59 mL) of white vinegar into a small bowl. Soak the coins in the lemon solution for up to one hour. I know it sounds strange, but stay with me. tb1234 Basic Penny Cleaning Warm water Dishwashing soap Plastic bin Toothbrush Paper towel tb1234 If you use the right materials and carry out the process in a gentle manner, you can get the best of both worlds a set of cleaned shiny pennies that are also not damaged. In addition to the vinegar and lemon juice, ketchup can also be used to clean copper pennies. The key is to first know what kind of coin you have. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Nearly all metal detectors will be able to find coins in the right conditions. SALT AND VINEGAR EXPERIMENTPulire le monete di rame in 1 minuto con sale e acetoMusic:"Fluffing a Duck" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creati. How do you remove green corrosion from copper coins? Required fields are marked *. The more contact the coins have with one another the more damage they take on. It might even be a good idea to stay away from even hiring a professional service to clean them for you. From there, use your brush to gently get the grime off of the coins before putting them back into the water again. Wheat pennies are a relatively common find when metal detecting. Repeat, as necessary. Heritage Auctions is an online consignment program with a 10 percent fee. AspenCleans glass cleaner was voted Parents Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents magazine. Make a paste: Use a lemon juice/salt or vinegar/salt paste and a sponge to scrub the copper. Add more baking soda and water as needed for larger batches of coins. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. 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. This article has been viewed 438,144 times. Check back on them every few minutes, especially if you use a highly acidic substance like cola, to avoid damaging them. 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. Easy & Effective Ways to Clean Dirty Coins at Home, 10+ Ways to Clean Your Clipper Blades like a Pro Barber, https://www.howtocleanthings.com/how-to-clean-pennies/, https://sciencebob.com/clean-pennies-with-vinegar/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMp2OYpCq8, https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-copper-and-brass-with-ketchup-223741, Wie man Kupfermnzen sekundenschnell reinigt, Pulire le Monete di Rame in Pochi Secondi, . This service does not come with a grading protection guarantee. Newer coins, such as relatively shiny pennies, tend to dull a little when washed in acid. Instead, use a soft cloth and a gentle detergent (like dish soap) to clean it. Rinse off the ketchup and inspect the condition of your coins. Pennis that were made prior to 1982 had more copper in them, which can lead to a more intense reaction chemically while cleaning. Soak coins in warm water mixed with liquid dish detergent to clean off light dirt and grime. Never rub or scrub coins which have numismatic value. 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. If the quarter is clean, rinse it off with distilled water. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. You can also opt for durable plastic holders, which can be square or round. 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! Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide can prove effective in removing various materials, including organic material. Cleaning Copper With Ketchup: Ketchup can be used to clean a variety of copper products. 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. 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. Have them professionally cleaned or sell them as is. You will end up with irreversible damage to the coins. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. They were initially made of bronze, a 95 percent copper alloy. 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. One of the most recommended cleaning solutions for wheat pennies is white vinegar. What is the best solution to clean copper? Stir together until the soap is sudsy, then add your coins to the bowl. How to clean green corroded copper coins Mix cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl that is non-metallic. Again, cleaning corrosion off wheat pennies can harm the value significantly. Vinegar will remove any oxides formed on the coin surface. Ammonia is another option that can be used to clean copper pennies. 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. They will, in fact, devalue. For this reason, only clean coins that have little value, such as standard pennies. Before you begin cleaning, sort through the coins to determine which coins need the most work. I like to use distilled water to clean coins if I decide to clean them. tb1234. 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. But for coins that have collectible value, they are oftentimes worth more than their face value. You will want to use a soft-bristled brush, one that has been well worn in as well as a soft cloth. There are various other methods to clean your pennies. AspenClean develops and manufactures its own line of 100% Natural, EcoCert certified, and EWG verified cleaning products. To clean a copper penny, squeeze out a small amount of tomato ketchup onto the face and back of the coin. Soak your quarters in lemon juice. These became known as Lincon wheat pennies. Step 3 Now put those pennies into the bowl containing the mixture of vinegar and salt. The coins need to be submerged in the vinegar, so make sure the vinegar doesn't have too much space to spread out. Instead, dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the vinegar solution and scrub the coins with it. Listerine and other antiseptic mouthwashes can clean dirt, oil, and debris from old coins. The citrus juices are acidic, and mixed with salt, can remove corrosion and debris from wheat pennies. In 1909, a new design featuring President Abraham Lincon was introduced. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Ketchup is composed of vinegar, salt, and tomatoes. They can clean your coin if it has PVC residue, dirt, debris, adhesive, tape reside, copper spots on gold, or toning issues. Hydrogen peroxide can be an effective way to clean your coins. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Ensure you rinse all the vinegar off the coin once it is cleaned. In this article well take a look at the top 10 tips for cleaning a copper penny. If needed, use a soft towel or soft-bristled brush to scrub the coin. If they're extra dirty or if you're cleaning a lot simultaneously, give them a few more minutes for good measure. With this simple technique, anyone can get their penny as clean as it once was. Microwaving 2 cups of water for 2-3 minutes should suffice and avoid boiling water. Drop the pennies into the mixture for about 5 minutes. Once youve removed the coin from the coke, gently rinse it under cold running water. Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part vinegar. Dont use steel wool or abrasive chemicals to clean your penny, as this could damage the metal. With wheat pennies, you will want to fill a small dish with fresh water and some dish soap. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent because it will remove the copper oxide thats on your pennies. Stir until the salt dissolves. If you have a collection of copper pennies, chances are that theyre not looking their best. Clean copper coins in a vinegar and salt solution. Test the ketchup on a small area of your penny first before applying it in more generous amounts. Your email address will not be published. It may take a couple of applications, so dont be afraid to try this method a few times to get out those tough stains. Finally, take the pennies out and rinse them off using distilled water. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Most wheat pennies that are not extremely rare will sell for at least 3 to 5 cents at most coin dealers. Ammonia works well for removing rust from copper pennies, but it can also damage the surface of the penny if not used properly. Be patient and try not to get frustrated. You can use lemon juice to clean copper pennies, but youll want to work in a well-ventilated area when you do. You do not want to leave behind any residue that may further degrade the pennys condition! Mix in extra salt if you wish, but keep a close eye on the coins to avoid damaging them.
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