how to clean copper pennies without damaging them

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If you want to use tartaric acid on your pennies, all you have to do is dissolve some crystals of it in warm water. [2] 3 Now simply apply the paste to the penny wherever you want it to brighten up. Anyone can use this simple technique. 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. Most wheat pennies that are not extremely rare will sell for at least 3 to 5 cents at most coin dealers. Garret ACE 250 Review Before you begin cleaning, sort through the coins to determine which coins need the most work. Of course, there are other ways to clean corroded pennies. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Gently scrub them with either a soft toothbrush or your fingers. Gold Nuggets Metal Detectors 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. Make a bath using a cup of isopropyl alcohol combined with two tablespoons of salt. It is okay to stop at the fourth step, but if some of the pennies dont get clean after you use the paper towel to clean them, you can put them back into the solution and soak for an extra five minutes. Let us move on to how to clean wheat pennies you intend to keep or sell yourself without any type of professional grading service. 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. 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. Drop the pennies into the mixture for about 5 minutes. They may damage the surface of the wheat penny and devalue them. This means distilled water. Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda. Even more importantly, understand how the condition impacts the value. Do not clean these valuable pennies on your own, and if you do, only use distilled water. After brushing each penny, rinse with clean water and dry, it should be looking good as new by now. 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. Repeat, as necessary. (So before you start using baking soda, vinegar, toothpaste, or ketchup to clean your coins at. Patience is key: The best way to clean a copper coin is by using patience and not being afraid to try new methods until one works well enough for you without scratching up your penny too much while doing so. Paper Towels This process can get a bit messy. Please do not clean collector coins, I don not take responsibly of any damage done. The first step to cleaning a copper penny is soaking it in vinegar. Your best bet is to keep them separate so they are not rubbing against eachother. Just make sure you keep the rubbing to a minimum. 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 are planning to keep the coins for your own collection, you may certainly clean them as you see fit. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Repeat the process as many times as you need in order to get the coins clean. How do you clean old coins without damaging them? Rinse the coin very well under warm water. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent because it will remove the copper oxide thats on your pennies. Pennies are made from highly reactive metals like copper or copper alloys, so it is only normal for them to get corroded with time. Finally, drop the coins in, seal the lid, and shake it. While it is very possible to clean your pennies without damaging them, it is hard to say the same for the market value of the pennies. The Minelab Equinox 800 is another of my favorite metal detectors. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. With wheat pennies, you will want to fill a small dish with fresh water and some dish soap. 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. And if you're unsure of how to properly clean a coin and you want a second opinion, get in contact with a coin expert before trying any of the following methods. Since all alcohol is neutral (having neither acidic or alkaline charges) it will only remove ceraint oil base soils. Step 6: Rinse Silver Coin With Cold Water. 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. Use your soft cloth to dry them off gently in order to prevent any scratching. Vinegar and salt. Have them professionally cleaned or sell them as is. [1] Start working on the coins that need the least amount of work. You should also rub the coin gently to remove debris, and rinse it under the tap to wash off the oil. This fact makes it all the more important for you to know how to clean corroded pennies, especially if youve found a few wheat pennies from metal detecting. Rinse the coins with fresh water after 24 hours and let them air dry. 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. Add more baking soda and water as needed for larger batches of coins. The soap should help keep the coin safe while you gently scrub it. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. They include: As you can see, these materials are very cheap and easy to find anywhere. [1] Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. But for coins that have collectible value, they are oftentimes worth more than their face value. Aside from white vinegar, there may not be a more versatile household cleaning agent than baking soda. Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. Different types of coins require different cleaning solutions, so ask an expert if you are not sure. Last Updated: October 27, 2022 Coins are part of most of our lives in one way or another. Simply run the water over the coin, or let it soak in the water. The amount of vinegar used to clean the pennies depends on the number of coins you wish to clean. 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). This article was co-authored by Alicia Sokolowski. When they start to look cleaner, remove them from the bowl. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If you have a collection of copper pennies, chances are that theyre not looking their best. An alternative is to use vinyl erasers, but they do not contain abrasive, which is typically found in pencil erasers. Mix a teaspoon of salt into the liquid by stirring until it is dissolved. Looking to achieve that bright, orange-copper color? Let them soak for a while. Experts can always tell if a coin has been cleaned improperly. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When a coin has evidence of cleaning, it is valued as Genuine-Cleaned. This means that despite the condition of the coin, it will be valued less than Fine range coins that have not been cleaned. 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! 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. If you dont have vinegar, lemon juice should work just fine. Cleaning them can be a daunting task. 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. Tartaric acid is a weak organic acid, which means its not as corrosive to your penny as other chemicals. Rinse the coin very well under warm water. Again, use small circular motions, scrubbing the entirety of the coin for a minute or so. Enjoy! Over time, coins of all sorts can and will collect grime and gunk. The effect is immediate and obvious. The method of cleaning depends on the type of coin. In many cases, cleaning a coin can lower the value of the coin as a collectors item. Heat safe container. Where I live, we have acidic and hard water. For preservation purposes, most collectors recommend against treating collectible coins. Allow the coins to air-dry on a microfiber or cotton towel. Pencil Eraser for Cleaning Pennies. To clean your copper coins, start by adding some vinegar or orange juice to a small bowl, and stirring in 1 teaspoon of salt. So if you leave your hand in the ultrasonic cleaner long enough, it will "clean" the flesh from your bones. This is the important part: rinse with distilled, not tap water. 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. Instead, dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the vinegar solution and scrub the coins with it. You can use your finger or an exceptionally fine brush to remove any stuck-on dirt. There will be times when you think your coin is clean, only to discover later that its still dirty. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. WATER. The level of water in the container should determine when you stop adding pennies into it because they must all get totally submerged into the solution for this process to work. You just have to put a thin but uniform layer of sauce on the penny and then rinse it off with water after some time. Garret ACE 300 Review Just make sure that you gently apply the olive oil and you can help prevent tarnish over time. Let them air dry the rest of the way. If you are keeping them for sentimental value or for your own personal collection, you may certainly clean them. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You just cant see them because they are microscopicbut your intended buyer will see them. You will end up with irreversible damage to the coins. One good option is the traditional 2 by 2 cardboard and mylar protective sheaths. 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. They must all lie flat at the bottom of the container. With this simple technique, anyone can get their penny as clean as it once was. As you can see, these materials are very cheap and easy to find anywhere. First, gather your supplies. You must remember to use these at your discretion. Leave the pennies for around five minutes in the glass of vinegar or lemon juice. Kids Metal Detectors 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. Soak the coins in more salt and vinegar if they still look dirty. For many pennies, one tablespoon (15 g) of salt in 1/2 cup (4 oz) of vinegar will get the job done. Other Ways To Clean Copper Coins Without Damaging Them 1. You want something a bit more gentle for silver coins but you will need a heavier abrasive for your copper pennies. A great way to clean coins without doing damage to them is using a bath of salt and isopropyl alcohol. The acetic acid in white vinegar can help remove contaminants from your coins. 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, . Dry them off with paper towels. A professional coin valuer will notice these minute scratches on the surface from cleaning. When you have them totally clean, let them air dry and enjoy the bright sheen that your pennies have. If youre having trouble getting rid of the tarnish on your copper penny, rubbing alcohol might be the trick you need. One of the most important aspects of cleaning old coins is to know the value first. You can clean as many pennies you want with a single pencil eraser. Lemon juice is acidic and can cause damage to the skin if inhaled or spilled. Safely storing your wheat pennies is critical for preserving and protecting them. Once youve removed the coin from the coke, gently rinse it under cold running water. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It does this by using the low levels of acids that are contained naturally in vinegar and lemon juice to remove the patina (brown oxidation) on the penny. Get an appraisal before you clean themif you plan to sell them. Some are damaged by contact with other coins, general circulation, or being buried in the ground for many years. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Fisher F22 Review Rinse off the ketchup and inspect the condition of your 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. There are chemicals within the tap water that can erode the coins over time. Any attempt at cleaning a coin can reduce its value. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. There is no way to clean a coin without damaging its collectible value, even wiping with a cloth causes scratches that reduce the value in the eyes of professional collectors. 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! The safest way to clean a coin is to send it a professional. This natural acid can be used to clean coins, pots and pans, and more. Dry the coins with a microfiber cloth to give them that extra shine! This may be true in certain aspects, such as uncirculated monies. 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 applying, give it a couple of minutes and then rinse using distilled water. ", "It is so amazing, the power of baking soda and vinegar.". The right materials will effectively clean your pennies and will also be safe for your hands. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This happens because the vinegar and salt dissolves the copper oxide layer of the penny. Rinse with freshwater and let air dry. There are various other methods to clean your pennies. Remember, cleaning a wheat penny you have found while metal detecting might make it look better to you, but to a professional numismatist, it will be ruined. Brighten old, dark pennies in seconds! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. On average, a quarter-cup should be adequate. For instance, use a small applicator to "paint" only the heads for an unusual "cameo" effect. Because the effect is achieved only where the mixture has been in contact with the coin, this allows one to get creative with the contrasting features of the coin itself with your choice of different colored copper. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. But if you simply want to clean the coins for non-commercial reasons (for example, you just want a bunch of cleaned pennies youve found to become part of your coin collection), the vinegar/lemon juice method will be good enough.