how to clean copper pennies without damaging them

However, with old coins you have found while metal detecting, you may want to refrain from cleaning. Do I need to add liquid to it? Let us move on to how to clean wheat pennies you intend to keep or sell yourself without any type of professional grading service. Under Water Metal Detectors This method and those that follow are going to be for everyday coins. Be sure to check with a professional before cleaning a corroded coin that may have significant value. This technique is an easy way to clean silver coins and zinc pennies without causing damage, too. If necessary, a little bit of gentle soap can be used, with Ivory soap being the preferred brand. If it works for you, stick with it. You can also try using a damp cloth with baking soda, which will help loosen any stuck-on dirt without damaging the coins surface. There is one important thing to note, though. Basically, it all depends on why you are getting your pennies cleaned in the first place. Let the coins sit in the mixture for about 10 or 15 minutes so that the soap can break down the grime. The method of cleaning depends on the type of coin. Once theyve soaked enough, take them out and rinse them with clear water until all traces of acid are gone from their surfaces; finally dry them off with a paper towel before putting them back into circulation (or storing them). Hot sauce and brown colas are some other household substances that work well on copper coins. To clean softer or more valuable coins, your best bet is to lightly rinse them in warm water, then pat them dry with a microfiber cloth. Coins made of nickel and silver will be easily cleaned; however, coins made out of copper will be harder to clean as copper reacts to more materials than other metals. Place your pennies at the bottom of the cup or glass so that they are not stacked on top of each other. Make sure they are not directly on top of each other. Clean them off using distilled water and soap, using an old toothbrush to scour them clean. The vinegar poured into that bowl should be enough to cover those pennies. As a general rule, make the paste at a ratio of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Start with a mixture of warm, soapy water when cleaning silver coins. This article has been viewed 60,522 times. In this video I clean three old worn large cents. [2] 3 Now simply apply the paste to the penny wherever you want it to brighten up. Minelab CTX 3030 Review, on How to Clean a Copper Penny:10 Tips and Advices. This is a simple, inexpensive method that works well on pennies that arent too tarnished. Acids wear away copper, so exposing a coin to vinegar and other products can cause permanent damage. As an added precaution, you should only mix one tablespoon of ammonia with one gallon of water when using this technique; over-mixed solutions will damage your coins surfaces quickly. Even more importantly, understand how the condition impacts the value. 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. Let them air dry the rest of the way. Pennies are made from highly reactive metals like copper or copper alloys, so it is only normal for them to get corroded with time. If you feel that it needs longer, you can soak it for up to 15 minutes. You should also rub the coin gently to remove debris, and rinse it under the tap to wash off the oil. PCGS offers a restoration service that can aid in cleaning your coins professionally. If you dont see any results after trying a method for a few minutes, move on to something else. Be patient and try not to get frustrated. For this reason, only clean coins that have little value, such as standard pennies. Method 1 Using Simple Washing Download Article 1 Sort your coins. 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. In your small container, measure in a cup of fresh lemon juice (or white vinegar) and add one tablespoon of salt to it. This method you will help you to clean old coin properly without any damage to. 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. They can eliminate or reduce the effects of outside contaminates that have caused issues with your coins. Newer coins, such as relatively shiny pennies, tend to dull a little when washed in acid. 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. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. Your email address will not be published. Collectors actively look for the tiniest flaws in pennies and they have all the necessary tools to find those flaws. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Before you begin cleaning, sort through the coins to determine which coins need the most work. There are many methods you can use at home to clean your wheat pennies, and other coins you have found, safely and carefully. This eliminates the possibility of abrasions to your investment. Required fields are marked *. There are many options for selling wheat pennies. Pencil Eraser for Cleaning Pennies. For tips on how to shine your coins with baking soda, read on! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Allow the coins to air-dry on a microfiber or cotton towel. Pennies are normally made of copper, which is a shiny, bright metal, and more recently Zinc. This natural acid can be used to clean coins, pots and pans, and more. When you have them totally clean, let them air dry and enjoy the bright sheen that your pennies have. When you put your pennies in a vinegar and salt mix, the vinegar and salt react together and remove the copper oxide. For others, coins can be collected throughout the years, some of which become quite valuable. Coins are part of most of our lives in one way or another. Lemon juice. This happens because the vinegar and salt dissolves the copper oxide layer of the penny. Test the ketchup on a small area of your penny first before applying it in more generous amounts. Some are damaged by contact with other coins, general circulation, or being buried in the ground for many years. Rinse the coin very well under warm water. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Soak your pennies for five minutes in vinegar to dissolve any copper oxide left on them from handling before you start scrubbing them with toothpaste or soap. In fact, there are a lot of people who may suggest that using vinegar will hurt the integrity of your penny by making it tarnish. Even if they appear corroded and lacking shine or have a tarnish on them. They may damage the surface of the wheat penny and devalue them. Since we are also concerned about safety, it is important for you to know that the acidic substances that these rust removers contain could be harmful to your skin, so you should protect yourself with gloves and a mask when using them. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. The wheat penny was produced until 1958, with a few changes along the way. 5. Try not to rub the coin too much with your fingers or the dirt, silt, and other residue on the surface can damage the coin. Just remember to rinse the pennies thoroughly after all cleaning methods. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. Use a soft cloth to rub the paste on the surface of the copper. Like vinegar, citrus juice is acidic and wears off copper oxide on coins. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 60,522 times. Mix equal parts distilled water and lemon juice into a container. Garret ACE 250 Review Grab some past with your thumb and forefinger, rubbing it gently onto both sides of the penny. There are coins worth thousands upon thousands of dollars, all contingent on the condition of the coin. Steel pennies were abandoned the following year, and brass pennies were introduced. One of the most recommended cleaning solutions for wheat pennies is white vinegar. 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. Then mix gently until the salt totally dissolves in the lemon juice. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Finally, dry your coins with a microfiber cloth to get rid of excess moisture. You can visit a local coin dealer if you have one nearby. What is the best solution to clean copper? The advantage is it will not cause any decrease in numismatic value, but there are better options for cleaning materials. Using a soft cloth, apply your chosen cleaner to the coin and allow it to soak in for five minutes. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Avoid rubbing where possible as they can scratch and damage the coins surface. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Its best to wear rubber gloves when handling the ketchup and penny because they can both leave your hands stained red if you arent careful! Can I use isopropyl alcohol to clean the coins? If you dont have a brush available, leave the coins submerged in the ketchup for at least 5 minutes. Paper Towels This process can get a bit messy. So, in this article, Im going to explain to you exactly how to clean wheat pennies safely and effectively! Wet the penny with warm water until its thoroughly dampened (but not dripping). Get a corrosive resistant container, such as a glass, and soak your wheat pennies in the vinegar for at least 30 minutes. The right materials will effectively clean your pennies and will also be safe for your hands. Some wheat pennies found can be worth a small fortune. You may also have luck selling them online. Rubbing or scrubbing a coin (even with non-abrasive liquids) will leave microabrasions on your coin and cause a severe reduction of value or elimination of any collectible value. Just make sure that you gently apply the olive oil and you can help prevent tarnish over time. 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. These were 95 percent copper and 5 percent zing. That would be true if your plan was to only use vinegar to clean a corroded penny. As you will come to find out, there are different methods for cleaning different types of coins. It works similarly to ketchup. ", "It is so amazing, the power of baking soda and vinegar.". [1] In fact, it works so well that, like the other coin cleaning brews mentioned here, it can completely strip away the original patina and obliterate the value of the coin. Numismatists and some coin collector organizations may offer these services. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If the coins still look a little dull, try treating them with more paste. Use household cleaners: Basic household cleaners like baking soda, vinegar and salt will work wonders for your copper pennies! When a rare coin is found, it is often submitted to professionals, such as those at PCGS, or Professional Coin Grading Services. Do not clean these valuable pennies on your own, and if you do, only use distilled water. If you have recently gone metal detecting and found several wheat pennies, what do you do with them now? They will not pay you until you have shipped the coins. The Garrett Ace Apex is one of my favorite metal detectors for coin shooting. What is the fastest way to clean copper coins? Gentle dish soap, like Dawn, is a good option for getting those wheat pennies shining again. In a small container, place a small amount of table-salt (1 gram is plenty). Youll be surprised at what works and what doesnt! Coins generally lose value as they get cleaner. Rinse off the ketchup and inspect the condition of your coins. You can use your finger or an exceptionally fine brush to remove any stuck-on dirt. Soak the coins in the lemon solution for up to one hour. Very old or dirty coins require the extra effort. Shine the coins to make them look better. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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 opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. In many cases, cleaning a coin can lower the value of the coin as a collectors item. Instead, dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the vinegar solution and scrub the coins with it. 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. Take them out, setting them on the cloth. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Maintain your coins in great condition through proper care, handling and storage. 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. Vinegar and salt. Pull the coins out of the liquid and gently wipe them with a paper towel to break apart the tarnish and dark spots. The baking soda isnt acidic like vinegar and citrus juice solutions, so leaving the paste in place for a while is safe. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 438,144 times. Hydrogen peroxide can be an effective way to clean your coins. Its also an effective way to remove oxidation from copper and make sure that there are no stains left behind. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. AspenCleans glass cleaner was voted Parents Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents magazine. Rinse the coin very well under warm water. Dont make the mistake of using something meant for regular coins on something older and more condition sensitive. There are many metal detectors that are specifically for coin shooting, while others are all-purpose metal detectors. On average, a quarter-cup should be adequate. I would not do any cleaning at all. If you want to go with something that is both inexpensive and likely already in your home, olive oil is the right choice. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 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! Repeat the process as many times as you need in order to get the coins clean. Keep reading below for the best methods for safely cleaning your wheat pennies at home. The coins should be dipped in that bowl for at least five minutes. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. The effect is achieved only where the mixture has been in contact with the coin, so ensure you cover the entire coin! Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Remember, you can always try cleaning a coin again, but you cant reverse mistakes. The concept is the same as white vinegar and salt. Scrub low-value coins with baking soda and vinegar, lemon juice and salt, or ketchup to break apart tarnish. There are various other methods to clean your pennies. We all enjoy the metal detecting finds we discover, and sometimes, even pennies fall into that category. One of the simplest ways to clean coins is by using distilled water and a soft towel. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Enjoy! If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part vinegar. They include: As you can see, these materials are very cheap and easy to find anywhere. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You can also opt for durable plastic holders, which can be square or round. The soap should help keep the coin safe while you gently scrub it. % of people told us that this article helped them. The first step to cleaning a copper penny is soaking it in vinegar. (So before you start using baking soda, vinegar, toothpaste, or ketchup to clean your coins at. Use a stronger acid like ketchup or cola to strip away the green patina that forms when copper is exposed to salt and water. Next, mix baking soda and water into a thick paste and rub this paste over the penny using your fingers. Last Updated: October 27, 2022 When they start to look cleaner, remove them from the bowl. If you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments below. It might seem like theres no hope for your tarnished coins, but fear not! Fill the bowl with enough lemon juice to cover the quarter. Remember to not use tap water because the chemicals are bad for the coins. The composition of the coin, the condition of the coin, and the year of the coin all affect its value. It has 3 search coil options, all are waterproof. To prevent grime buildup, it is imperative that collectible coins be stored in a safe, secure, airtight place. 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.

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