How to Clean Pennies and Other Older or Collectible Coins (2024)

FAQs

How to Clean Pennies and Other Older or Collectible Coins? ›

Soak coins in warm water mixed with liquid dish detergent to clean off light dirt and grime. Wash each coin gently with a soft toothbrush before rinsing and drying it. Scrub low-value coins with baking soda and vinegar, lemon juice and salt, or ketchup to break apart tarnish.

How to Gently Clean Coins With Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Baking Soda, and Soap. Here's the ultimate coin-cleaning hack you can try at home to spruce up those non-collectible or valuable coins. Just follow the steps below, and you'll have that old, oxidized penny looking fresh in no time!

Make a solution of vinegar and salt and let the pennies soak. The acid in vinegar, like in citrus, is what really takes the tarnish away.

If you are just trying to remove DIRT, a good soak and rinse in distilled water should do the trick. If there is oily or tougher crud on the coin then a soak in Xylol (Xylene), methylethylketone (MEK) or acetone followed by a FLOWING rinse with pure acetone. In any of these uses DO NOT RUB the coin.

Should you clean old coins? In almost all situations the answer is no, you should not clean old coins. When a coin is graded, the condition of the coin does not include its cleanliness. Collectors of old coins will fully expect a patina to have developed, and most will appreciate the appearance.

Yes, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean coins. It can remove stains and tarnish and won't damage your coins' surface. However, it's best to use a diluted form of hydrogen peroxide instead of concentrated.

An expert can, in some cases, improve the value of an old coin by cleaning, but for the average collector the risk of damage is too great, as almost anything you do is going to cut the value.

Vinegar and Salt

Mix vinegar with salt. Place pennies in the solution and let them sit for a while, and then use a clean, soft toothbrush to clean any dirty areas. Rinse the coins, and then polish them with baking soda paste.

Don't use toothpaste – Toothpaste is extremely abrasive. It can make your coins appear shiny, but cause significant damage to the surface. Don't use ketchup – You might have learned in science class that dipping a penny in ketchup can restore their shine.

Mix ​​1⁄4 c (59 mL) of white vinegar with 1 tsp (5.69 g) of salt in a small bowl. Soak the coins for 5 minutes, then rinse them with warm water.

How do you clean old pennies without damaging them? ›

Is there a way to safely wash coins, without damaging the quality? This is with respect to an old coin collection. No there is not. But if you insist, distilled water with a mild soap (no tap water or detergent) and a soft rub to get surface dirt off the coin is the way to go.

The 1982 Small Date Denver Mint 2.5 grams coin is a rare variety of the Lincoln cent. Its value can vary based on its condition and the current numismatic market.

Dissolve tarnish with a hydrogen peroxide soak.

Fill a small bowl with enough hydrogen peroxide to submerge your coins. Put a few of your coins into the solution at a time and let them soak for up to 24 hours so the tarnish has a chance to loosen up.

Don't use toothpaste – Toothpaste is extremely abrasive. It can make your coins appear shiny, but cause significant damage to the surface. Don't use ketchup – You might have learned in science class that dipping a penny in ketchup can restore their shine.

It is acceptable to remove surface dirt or other foreign substances (including glue) that have not chemically bonded with the coin's surface by soaking the coin in acetone (a neutral solvent). (See other forum topics regarding the safe use of this flammable substance.)

Add vinegar until a thick paste forms. Dip in the pennies and let them sit until dry. Rinse off with warm soapy water.