Do you have coins that are dirty, old, and tarnished like it has been passed down from person to person throughout the years? Ever felt the need to clean out these coins to make them look better?
Coin collecting is a common hobby among kids to adults. Whether it be serious collectors or hobbyists, there is no denying that some of the coins have been passed down from generations—resulting in it having to add more value to them, both as a collection and memorabilia.
Whether you happen to own lots of old and dirty coins or you are a coin collector yourself, in this guide, we show how you can clean your old and worn-out coins.
Should You Clean Your Old Coins
Before cleaning your coins, be careful in cleaning antique coins or collections as the process may cause devaluing of the coin. The cleaning process can potentially leave scratch marks within the coins which may be visible to appraisers—as a result, this can reduce the value of the coin.
When in doubt, have your coins appraised before cleaning. These coins can go significantly higher depending on how rare the coin can be.
If you plan to clean your antique or coin collection for display then it is highly recommended to have the antique or coin collection be cleaned by a professional, to avoid reducing the value of the coin.
If the coins you plan to clean are just regular everyday coins with no intention of collecting them, then you can proceed with the cleaning methods below.
Gather the materials
Below is a list of materials you will need to clean the coins.
- White vinegar
- Salt
- Shallow plastic container
- Cloth or paper towel
- Baking soda
- Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
- Dishwashing liquid
Step on how to clean dirty coins
- Rinse the coins
- Mix water and liquid soap
- Dip the coins
- Brush coins
- Rinse again
- Air dry
#1 Rinse the coins
To start—Rinse all of the coins with warm running water. Rub each coin using your index and thumb finger.
#2 Mix Water and Liquid Soap
Mix a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid inside the plastic container.
#3 Dip The Coins
Dip all the coins in the dishwashing solution, and rinse all the dirt from the coins.
#4 Brush for hardened Stains
Some hardened dirt and stains may not be removed by simply rinsing them. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove all the hardened stains from the coins.
#5 Rinse, Again
Rinse once again all the coins in running water for good measure.
#6 Air Dry
Finally, lay all the coins on a soft cloth to dry.
Steps On How To Clean Deteriorated Coins
Corroded coins or deteriorated coins call for a different method of cleaning. These usually happen to older coins, especially when they are not cleaned immediately. These coins show discoloration and can be dull, which isn’t possible by simply rinsing them.
#1 Mix White Vinegar and Salt
Mix a cup of white vinegar and salt inside a plastic container—then dip all the coins inside the solution. The longer you leave the coins inside the solution better it will be. If the coins are discolored/corroded to an extent, then it is best to leave the coins overnight.
#2 Remove coins from the solution
Remove the coins from the vinegar solution and wipe them off with a clean cloth.
#3 Baking Soda Paste
On a separate container—mix the baking soda with a tablespoon of water to form a paste.
#4 Brush The Coins
Brush the coins with the baking soda paste using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
#5 Rinse with hot water
Finally, rinse the coins thoroughly with hot water—use tongs to avoid getting your hands burned from the hot water.
#6 Air Dry
After rinsing the coins with hot water, air dry them by placing them on a soft cotton towel.
