how to clean copper pennies without damaging them

Vinegar and salt are the best methods of cleaning your pennies. Steel pennies were abandoned the following year, and brass pennies were introduced. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. After 5 minutes, wash the solution off the coins with warm water, since if its left on too long it can damage them. Listerine and other antiseptic mouthwashes can clean dirt, oil, and debris from old coins. To clean a copper penny, squeeze out a small amount of tomato ketchup onto the face and back of the coin. But if you do really want to get stuck in and have a go at cleaning some coins, we recommend that you experiment on some modern loose change instead. AspenCleans glass cleaner was voted Parents Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents magazine. Remember, you can always try cleaning a coin again, but you cant reverse mistakes. Your email address will not be published. If you have a collection of copper pennies, chances are that theyre not looking their best. "Knowing how to safely clean copper is big time helpful. This detector features multiple search frequencies and has 2 different coin modes: one for foreign coins and one for U.S. coins. Cleaning Copper With Ketchup: Ketchup can be used to clean a variety of copper products. First, do not every use any type of jewelry cleaner or metal polish on coins. 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. On average, a quarter-cup should be adequate. Monitor coins carefully and rinse them with clean water as soon as possible. It does not store any personal data. Or in layman's terms, by generating microscopic bubbles between a hard surface and a softer material, and allowing them to catastrophically collapse. If you need to remove dirt from your coins, remove the worst of it with a tooth pick. When in doubt, leave the coin as you found it. If you plan on cleaning off a lot of coins at once, use a bigger bowl and add more vinegar as needed. Rubbing the surface of a coin can damage it, even if you cannot see it. With this simple technique, anyone can get their penny as clean as it once was. You just cant see them because they are microscopicbut your intended buyer will see them. It only requires rubbing the penny with a pencil eraser. Continue to slowly add water to the baking soda until it takes on the consistency of paste. The best thing about using rubbing alcohol is that it will remove the tarnish from your copper coin without damaging its surface. Wheat pennies were made of different metals during different years depending on the need for metals. Clearing away the dirt now makes the coin look clearer once you add the oil to it. The key is to first know what kind of coin you have. In this video I clean three old worn large cents. After a good shake, take the coins out and rinse them off. First, gather your supplies. If you want to go with something that is both inexpensive and likely already in your home, olive oil is the right choice. If this does not bother, you and you simply want to restore the coin for yourself you can use a baking soda paste. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelors degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto. Ketchup is composed of vinegar, salt, and tomatoes. Start with two tablespoons of baking soda, mixing it with water into a bowl. Lemon juice is acidic and can cause damage to the skin if inhaled or spilled. Well, the general rule is if you intend on selling your wheat pennies, you should not clean them. 3 Ways to Clean Ancient Coins - wikiHow Dish soap is also a good and very gentle way to clean coins. Dont use steel wool or abrasive chemicals to clean your penny, as this could damage the metal. Required fields are marked *. Minelab CTX 3030 Review, on How to Clean a Copper Penny:10 Tips and Advices. Fisher F22 Review Elias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. This website uses cookies to improve your experience, but you may opt out if you wish. Repeat this process as many times as necessary before allowing the coins to air dry. Water is less abrasive than other cleaning methods and should clean most of the dirt and debris off your wheat pennies. Allow the coins to air-dry on a microfiber or cotton towel. How to clean green corroded copper coins Mix cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl that is non-metallic. They must all lie flat at the bottom of the container. [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. References. If pennies are collectibles, then cleaning them may reduce their value. For older, condition-sensitive coins, a gentle bath of water and mild hand soap will suffice. These were 95 percent copper and 5 percent zing. If you do not sell your coin, you do not pay. Give them about five minutes to sit, though you can go for another five if they are not quite as bright as you had hoped. Here are a few different methods that you can use to get those pennies clean. A professional coin valuer will notice these minute scratches on the surface from cleaning. Submerge the coins in a shallow bath of vinegar and let them soak for at least an hour. But before you start your timer, make sure none of the pennies are touching themselves. Use a soft cloth to rub the paste on the surface of the copper. 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. CoinsForSale.com charges a 5 percent selling fee and no listing fee. The good news is that there is a solution available no matter what type of coin. 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! In 1909, a new design featuring President Abraham Lincon was introduced. The Garrett Ace Apex is one of my favorite metal detectors for coin shooting. These became known as Lincon wheat pennies. How to Clean Pennies with Vinegar: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. The right materials will effectively clean your pennies and will also be safe for your hands. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Rinse the coin very well under warm water. The safest way to clean a coin is to send it a professional. Method 1 Removing Dark Spots with Vinegar Download Article 1 Pour 14 cup (59 mL) of white vinegar into a small bowl. Ultrasonic cleaners work by microcavitation. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 2 Pour a few ounces of vinegar into a shallow dish. Of course, there are other ways to clean corroded pennies. Distilled water is highly recommended as tap water since it contains chlorine that works perfectly in removing the unwanted substances. Cleaning in small batches is a better option. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Hello internet and today i will be showing you how to clean your old coins without damaging them and I'll be cleaning my rare 1886 type 2 Indian head cent ju. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Fill up two plastic containers with distilled water and a tablespoon of mild hand soap. Rinse your pennies well with water; otherwise, if any of these cleaning agents remain on the coin, the coin will turn blue-green. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You will not need to clean your coins repeatedly if you know the best way to clean pennies and how to preserve them properly. Sell them the way they are (or as is) and you will surely gain more money from your pennieswell, assuming they are actually worth something, of course. While you're grasping the coin firmly by its edges, use a clean toothbrush to lightly scrub the flat surfaces of the coin. 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. Step 1: Line Container With Aluminum Foil. There are many methods you can use at home to clean your wheat pennies, and other coins you have found, safely and carefully. I like to use distilled water to clean coins if I decide to clean them. You will end up with irreversible damage to the coins. Approved. This service does not come with a grading protection guarantee. This step is basically you leaving the pennies to soak inside the salt and lemon juice solution for 15 minutes. Let the coins sit in the mixture for about 10 or 15 minutes so that the soap can break down the grime. When they start to look cleaner, remove them from the bowl. When in doubt, refrain from cleaning anything older than those. Do not clean these valuable pennies on your own, and if you do, only use distilled water. It is very gentle and can help reveal details on the coin surface you may not be able to see. They include: Fresh lemon juice Salt White vinegar A toothbrush Baking soda A small container A paper towel. My dad has collected coins my entire life. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? Last Updated: October 27, 2022 Use a stronger acid like ketchup or cola to strip away the green patina that forms when copper is exposed to salt and water. When a coin is submitted to be examined by the experts at PCGS, signs of cleaning can be evident in many ways. Under Water Metal Detectors Repeat, as necessary. If you dont have vinegar, lemon juice should work just fine. Lightly rub the ketchup into the coin with a soft toothbrush, then rinse off the ketchup. Mix your hand soap in with the water, creating a soapy mixture. How to clean rare & old coins without damaging them - The Sun Retrieve the coins from the vinegar and apply a few teaspoons of baking soda to each coin. Guys you have got to try this, its crazyand it works like a charm, if you want yourpennies clean do this nowThe materials you need for this science experiment are:A few pennies that need to be cleaned1/4 cup white vinegar1 teaspoon saltNon-metal bowl A bowl of water Welcome To My Channel !! From there, use your brush to gently get the grime off of the coins before putting them back into the water again. How to Clean Old Coins | Coupon Codes Come Clean About Cleaning Your Coins - PCGS You will want to use a soft-bristled brush, one that has been well worn in as well as a soft cloth. Soak the coins in more salt and vinegar if they still look dirty. [1] Start working on the coins that need the least amount of work. There will be times when you think your coin is clean, only to discover later that its still dirty. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. These cookies do not store any personal information. 5 How do you remove green corrosion from copper coins? Before we go into the process of bringing corroded pennies back to life, let us look at the cleaning materials you must have. Take them out, setting them on the cloth. 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. Most wheat pennies that are not extremely rare will sell for at least 3 to 5 cents at most coin dealers. How To Clean Coins Without Devaluing Them [DIY Hack] - YouTube 3. Be patient and try not to get frustrated. Its found naturally in wine, and it works by breaking down the copper oxide coating on your pennies. Keep in mind that this is more of an abrasive than even the sand method and can do serious damage without the proper care. 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. With wheat pennies, you will want to fill a small dish with fresh water and some dish soap. 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. Never rub or scrub coins which have numismatic value. 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. 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. Check back on them every few minutes, especially if you use a highly acidic substance like cola, to avoid damaging them. In fact, I use dish soap to clean my wedding ring, necklaces, and other jewelry. How to Clean Old Coins Without Devaluing Them: 15 Methods - Tool Guider Copper, silver, nickel, and gold coins should strictly never be cleaned. The application of taco sauce is another simple method of cleaning these pennies. How To Clean A Penny Without Damaging It (Detailed Guide) Modern Coin Mart is another site for selling coins. 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. Last Updated: November 9, 2022 Rinse and dry: After scrubbing, rinse in warm water and dry the copper with a lint-free dishtowel. Other coins are molded from different metals, so the solution may not work as well on them. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. In fact, it would probably be extremely wise to do so, at least from a sanitary perspective. Vinegar is most effective for cleaning copper. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Be extremely gentle! So, thinking about cleaning them is not wrong, and they can be cleaned in several ways. Split your coins into three categories: showing good detail, showing some detail, and showing no detail. Get a corrosive resistant container, such as a glass, and soak your wheat pennies in the vinegar for at least 30 minutes. This article has been viewed 60,522 times. Something like a penny for example. Follow these steps to make your pennies completely clean: Step 1 Pour a small quantity of vinegar into a bowl. You can use lemon juice to clean copper pennies, but youll want to work in a well-ventilated area when you do. Enjoy! By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. [1] 2 Add enough acetic acid (vinegar, white vinegar is most recommended) to moisten the salt into a paste. That means a lot more options for getting them clean enough to use again. Cleaning and polishing rare and old coins can devalue them. Once youve removed the coin from the coke, gently rinse it under cold running water. Vinegar solutions are effective for removing dark spots on coins, but they also tend to make coins look a little dull. According to renowned numismatists, Ivory soap, and water is the safest way used in cleaning steel pennies. Then mix gently until the salt totally dissolves in the lemon juice. We all enjoy the metal detecting finds we discover, and sometimes, even pennies fall into that category. Mix your hand soap in with the water, creating a soapy mixture. Mix a teaspoon of salt into the liquid by stirring until it is dissolved. The olive oil is good at separating the dirt from the surface of the coin for a thorough cleaning experience, though it takes substantially longer. Simply run the water over the coin, or let it soak in the water. How To Clean A Copper or Zinc Penny - Coin Collecting! Soak the coins in the lemon solution for up to one hour. Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You can always put them on other websites like Facebook market, but you may not reach the intended audience with that forum. A great way to clean coins without doing damage to them is using a bath of salt and isopropyl alcohol. Some other options to use in place of vinegar include orange or lemon juice. 5 Ways to Clean Pennies - wikiHow This happens because the vinegar and salt dissolves the copper oxide layer of the penny. The wheat penny was produced until 1958, with a few changes along the way. Lemon juice. You do not want to leave behind any residue that may further degrade the pennys condition! The aluminum foil is key to the reaction which removes the tarnish. This way, you should not have to worry about cleaning them on a regular basis. For many pennies, one tablespoon (15 g) of salt in 1/2 cup (4 oz) of vinegar will get the job done. Signs of cleaning can be evident in many ways and often affect the value of the coin. Rinse the baking soda off with fresh water. Make sure they are not directly on top of each other. Pennies are made from highly reactive metals like copper or copper alloys, so it is only normal for them to get corroded with time. Place the quarter you want to clean into a small plastic bowl. There are various other methods to clean your pennies. If you have a penny that has been cleaned with another method but still looks dull or dirty, try using the baking soda and salt method to bring back its shine. Do not rub them or the dirt and debris on them can scratch them and ruin the value. (So before you start using baking soda, vinegar, toothpaste, or ketchup to clean your coins at. Dish soap is another good cleaning method and is very gentle. The acetic acid in white vinegar can help remove contaminants from your coins. One of the most recommended cleaning solutions for wheat pennies is white vinegar. 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! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This may be true in certain aspects, such as uncirculated monies. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Over time, coins of all sorts can and will collect grime and gunk. How do you clean badly tarnished copper coins? EBay, one of the most popular online auction sites, charges a 10 percent fee plus listing fees. Fill the bowl with enough lemon juice to cover the quarter. NEVER drink the solution that was used to clean the pennies. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. One good option is the traditional 2 by 2 cardboard and mylar protective sheaths. 5 Ways to Clean Your Pennies - The Spruce Crafts 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! 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. Dont leave them in a bowl of water, since the vinegar solution and copper oxide will end up in the bowl and on other coins. Aside from white vinegar, there may not be a more versatile household cleaning agent than baking soda. Caution: blood plasma counts as a fluid. Mix cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl that is non-metallic. Wet the penny with warm water until its thoroughly dampened (but not dripping). 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). Science Activity: Turn Old Pennies Bright and Shiny! | Exploratorium This technique is an easy way to clean silver coins and zinc pennies without causing damage, too. 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?. 6 Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? How To Clean Pennies 1 Easy Trick - Crazy Science Experiment If the water is not enough, continue down the list and use dish soap. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". They are too harsh and abrasive to clean wheat pennies with. Heat safe container. Removing the copper oxide by cleaning will give your penny a brand-new look. Soak the Pennies in Vinegar. This should be enough to get them clean. Many professional coin collectors and coin valuers recommend leaving the coins as they are. 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! The Nokta Makro CF77 Coin Finder is another great detector for coin shooting. You may also have luck selling them online. We will focus on the materials you need, how to use them, and most importantly, how to carry out the cleaning process in a safe way so that the pennies do not get damaged or lose their integrity. This way, you can take any preventative measures necessary to clean the coins and retain their value. Paper Towels This process can get a bit messy. Youll be surprised at what works and what doesnt! Pat the coin dry. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. HCI works, but you get an orange look to the copper and still need to use your elbow grease to clean it. Ketchup. Therefore, before cleaning old coins, consult an expert on the subject. Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part vinegar. If you do use an abrasive like vinegar or salt, make sure that you dont rub the abrasive in as it could scratch up the surface of the coin. The composition of the coin, the condition of the coin, and the year of the coin all affect its value. Dry the coins with a microfiber cloth to give them that extra shine! 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. Warm distilled water can be used to clean coins. From there, wipe your finger on your face for some natural oil, made up of sebum, and transfer it to the face of the coin. Nearly all metal detectors will be able to find coins in the right conditions. Where I live, we have acidic and hard water. Get an appraisal before you clean themif you plan to sell them. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When they are sufficiently clean, lay them out on a soft cloth, dabbing them dry with gentle pressure. Be gentle: A penny is a delicate coin and you dont want to scratch it up in the process of cleaning it. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Anyone can use this simple technique. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. No scrubbing necessary at all. Heritage Auctions is an online consignment program with a 10 percent fee. If you dont have vinegar on hand, filtered tap or distilled water can be used as a substitute. Cleaning these will absolutely devalue them if they are not cleaned properlyso just be mindful of this. However, with old coins you have found while metal detecting, you may want to refrain from cleaning. % of people told us that this article helped them. By using our site, you agree to our. You may not see these changes with your naked eyes if you clean carefully, but they are there. Pull the coins out of the liquid and gently wipe them with a paper towel to break apart the tarnish and dark spots. Pennies have been around since the late 1700s in the United States. Gently scrub the coin with an incredibly soft brush. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. They also will not pay you until you ship the coins. 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! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. Silver dollars, or any collectible silver coin, should only be cleaned under certain conditions. Beach Metal Detectors Finally, dry your coins with a microfiber cloth to get rid of excess moisture. PCGS offers a restoration service that can aid in cleaning your coins professionally. An alternative is to use vinyl erasers, but they do not contain abrasive, which is typically found in pencil erasers.

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