How Do You Clean Old Silver Coins Without Damaging Them?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Add a few drops of mild soap (not detergent) to a glass of warm distilled water. Put the coins in gently and leave them to soak, turning them over every few hours. This is the only guaranteed safe way to clean silver-plated coins (though pure silver is a little hardier).

How do you clean silver coins without losing value?

  1. Step 1: Line Container With Aluminum Foil. …
  2. Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda. …
  3. Step 3: Add Tarnished Silver Coins. …
  4. Step 4: Add More Baking Soda & Hot Water. …
  5. Step 5: Rub Away the Tarnish & Grime. …
  6. Step 6: Rinse Silver Coin With Cold Water. …
  7. Step 7: Inspect Your Coins.

Does cleaning silver coins decrease value?

Never try to remove the natural oxidation from coins, such as the tarnish on silver coins. …

Removing it will damage the coin’s surface and greatly reduce its value

. In other words, you should never use dips, polish, or chemical solutions to clean your coins.

Can you clean silver coins with vinegar?

Cleaning silver coins with vinegar is very easy. Take the coins and put them in a container that is filled with vinegar. … Vinegar is a harsh solution and may cause damage to the coins. You can even

make a paste of baking soda and vinegar

and use that to scrub the coins.

Can you clean coins without losing value?

So what is the best way to clean old coins? … It is best not to clean rare coins as removing the patina can significantly reduce the value of them. For this reason,

most coin hobbyists almost never clean their coins

. In fact, 99% of coins do not increase in value after you clean them, but many will be greatly devalued.

Can vinegar damage coins?

A common ingredient in DIY eco-friendly cleaners, the acetic acid in white vinegar can help

wear away the contamination on

your coins. 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.

Does baking soda damage coins?


The effect of baking soda removes away the black layer on the coin

. Note: Silver coins must be in physical contact with the aluminium foil. … If you use other chemicals to clean the coins, they may get damaged. Also, costlier coins should be least cleaned to avoid losing their character.

What is today’s price of silver?

Silver Spot Prices Today Change Silver Prices Per

Ounce


$22.43

-0.16
Silver Prices Per Gram $0.72 -0.01 Silver Prices Per Kilo $721.12 -5.14

How do you tell if a silver coin has been cleaned?

A cleaned coin will

have a dull, bright look

– one that on a well-circulated coin would seem unnatural. Old pennies that have been worn should not look bright orange and have flashy surfaces. Old, worn pennies should be medium to dark brown in color and have virtually no reflectivity on the surface at all.

What is the best way to clean old silver coins?


Soak the coins in warm distilled water and soap

.

Add a few drops of mild soap (not detergent) to a glass of warm distilled water. Put the coins in gently and leave them to soak, turning them over every few hours. This is the only guaranteed safe way to clean silver-plated coins (though pure silver is a little hardier).

Does baking soda damage silver?

Although using baking soda and aluminum foil can quickly remove tarnish from silverware, some dealers caution against using it on antique silver, as

it can be too abrasive and ruin the finish

(especially if you’re unsure of the provenance and it’s possible that the pieces are not actually sterling silver).

Can Coca Cola clean silver?

Simply

pour the coke into a bowl and submerge your silver into it

. The acid in the coke will quickly remove the tarnish. Keep an eye on it – just a few minutes should be enough. Rinse with warm water and dry carefully with a soft cloth.

Does vinegar hurt silver?

Silver items tarnish quickly, but there are many effective cleaning solutions to help bring your silver pieces back to a bright shine. … Like lemon juice, vinegar is acidic, which

results in a chemical reaction when it contacts tarnished silver

.

How do professionals clean coins?

  1. Step 1: Gather materials. For this method, you will need the following: …
  2. Step 2: Soak coin in vinegar. Pour your distilled white vinegar into your shallow bowl. …
  3. Step 3: Rinse coin with water. Remove the coins from the vinegar and gently rinse with distilled water. …
  4. Step 4: Let coin dry.

What does vinegar do to coins?

Negative charges attract positive charges, so electrons attract protons. When you put your dirty pennies in the vinegar and salt, the

copper oxide and some of the

copper dissolve in the water. That means some copper atoms leave the penny and start floating around in the liquid.

What liquid cleans coins the best?


Lemon Juice

did do the best, getting an average of rating of 7.5! Coming in second was Dish Soap which got an average rating of 7. A 3 way tie which consisted of Water, Cola, and Orange Juice, got an average rating of 5.5. This came to a surprise to me since Cola usually doesn’t clean anything, just makes them worse.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.