how to clean copper pennies without damaging them

You should also rub the coin gently to remove debris, and rinse it under the tap to wash off the oil. 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. Rinse off excess mustard under running water until all traces are removed from both sides before allowing them dry completely upside down so they wont lose any color fading away while drying out naturally overnight.. These became known as Lincon wheat pennies. Thats not necessarily to say the material so much as the purpose of the coin. 3 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. Its important to note that cleaning tarnish off valuable or rare coins can greatly affect their value. % of people told us that this article helped them. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. How do you clean old copper coins without damaging them? Nearly all metal detectors will be able to find coins in the right conditions. The right materials will effectively clean your pennies and will also be safe for your hands. Aside from white vinegar, there may not be a more versatile household cleaning agent than baking soda. Mix in extra salt if you wish, but keep a close eye on the coins to avoid damaging them. You will end up with irreversible damage to the coins. Caution: blood plasma counts as a fluid. Whether its a regular penny or a wheat penny, hopefully youve found this article to showcase a helpful method on how to clean a corded penny. Again, cleaning corrosion off wheat pennies can harm the value significantly. 290K views 3 years ago In this video you will find a simple but very effective method of cleaning old coins. 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. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. You like wouldnt need the professional cleaning. Leave the pennies for around five minutes in the glass of vinegar or lemon juice. Believe it or not, you can clean copper coins using yet another household item: ketchup. Gold Nuggets Metal Detectors Rinse and dry: After scrubbing, rinse in warm water and dry the copper with a lint-free dishtowel. What are ultrasonic cleaners when it comes to cleaning copper coins? If you want to go with something that is both inexpensive and likely already in your home, olive oil is the right choice. Elias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. When in doubt, refrain from cleaning anything older than those. This happens because the vinegar and salt dissolves the copper oxide layer of the penny. How to Clean Corroded Pennies Safely and Effectively, How to Clean Gold Jewelry With Vinegar Without Any Damage, How to Clean Wheat Pennies Safely and Without Damage. This article has been viewed 438,144 times. Instead, use a soft cloth and a gentle detergent (like dish soap) to clean it. Clean at your . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Do I need to add liquid to it? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? If it works for you, stick with it. Very old or dirty coins require the extra effort. Do not rub them or the dirt and debris on them can scratch them and ruin the value. 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. If necessary, a little bit of gentle soap can be used, with Ivory soap being the preferred brand. 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. Method 1 Removing Dark Spots with Vinegar Download Article 1 Pour 14 cup (59 mL) of white vinegar into a small bowl. These were 95 percent copper and 5 percent zing. Any attempt at cleaning a coin can reduce its value. The safest way to clean a coin is to send it a professional. Coins / February 17, 2021 by Walt / Leave a Comment. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Vinegar is most effective for cleaning copper. How to clean copper pennies using vinegar and baking soda. You can use lemon juice to clean copper pennies, but youll want to work in a well-ventilated area when you do. It works similarly to ketchup. That is because ketchup has vinegar in it, which is naturally acidic. If you do have hard water or highly acidic water, try using distilled water. Repeat, as necessary. There are chemicals within the tap water that can erode the coins over time. 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. You must remember to use these at your discretion. Shine the coins to make them look better. The coins need to be submerged in the vinegar, so make sure the vinegar doesn't have too much space to spread out. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The presence of salt and vinegar as its ingredients explains why this method works. Signs of cleaning can be evident in many ways and often affect the value of the coin. Silver dollars, or any collectible silver coin, should only be cleaned under certain conditions. Take them out, setting them on the cloth. If you are planning to sell your cleaned pennies, using chemicals or scrubbing methods for cleaning could leave marks on the coins and an appraiser could easily discover this, which will greatly reduce the market value of your pennies. Your email address will not be published. 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! Then, rub a small amount of vegetable oil onto each side of the coin to loosen stubborn dirt. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. The best thing about using rubbing alcohol is that it will remove the tarnish from your copper coin without damaging its surface. Method 1 Using Simple Washing Download Article 1 Sort your coins. I hope you enjoyed this article and have learned more about how to clean wheat pennies! Ketchup. Use a soft cloth to rub the paste on the surface of the copper. Remember to not use tap water because the chemicals are bad for the coins. Cleaning them can go wrong very quicklyand who wants to devalue their newly found treasure? With your paper towel, clean the pennies carefully and watch how they start getting clean and shiny. Make a paste: Use a lemon juice/salt or vinegar/salt paste and a sponge to scrub the copper. Youll be surprised at what works and what doesnt! Rinse off the ketchup and inspect the condition of your coins. Approved. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Other Ways To Clean Copper Coins Without Damaging Them 1. Just make sure you keep the rubbing to a minimum. Paper Towels This process can get a bit messy. If youve ever discovered gold jewelry in the woods or beach before, then you likely stumbled upon jewelry that was quite dirty and in need, Read More How to Clean Gold Jewelry With Vinegar Without Any DamageContinue, Wheat pennies are a relatively common find when metal detecting. The composition of the coin, the condition of the coin, and the year of the coin all affect its value. They also will not pay you until you ship the coins. 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. 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. Let them soak for about two hours or so, though if they are extremely dirty, you may want to let them sit for up to a week. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide can prove effective in removing various materials, including organic material. The key is to ensure that you dont use anything super abrasive, especially on older coins. Dry the coins with a microfiber cloth to give them that extra shine! Rinse the coins thoroughly with water to remove the baking soda and vinegar solution. Garret ACE 250 Review There are a variety of cleaning methods for wheat pennies. You can also try using a damp cloth with baking soda, which will help loosen any stuck-on dirt without damaging the coins surface. Step 6: Rinse Silver Coin With Cold Water. Rinse your pennies well with water; otherwise, if any of these cleaning agents remain on the coin, the coin will turn blue-green. What is the best solution to clean copper? 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?. wheat pennies found can be worth a small fortune. If you need to remove dirt from your coins, remove the worst of it with a tooth pick. Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. Before we go into the process of bringing corroded pennies back to life, let us look at the cleaning materials you must have. Follow these steps to make your pennies completely clean: Step 1 Pour a small quantity of vinegar into a bowl. You do not want to leave behind any residue that may further degrade the pennys condition! % of people told us that this article helped them. 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. When in doubt, leave the coin as you found it. Use distilled water because chemicals in tap water may cause discoloration. 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. It may take a few treatments, so work gradually and wash the coins off each time to avoid damaging them. Minelab CTX 3030 Review, on How to Clean a Copper Penny:10 Tips and Advices. You can also use baking soda and salt to clean your pennies. Anyone can use this simple technique. My dad has collected coins my entire life. 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. After a good shake, take the coins out and rinse them off. They can eliminate or reduce the effects of outside contaminates that have caused issues with your coins. [3] 4 From there, use your brush to gently get the grime off of the coins before putting them back into the water again. If you have a collection of copper pennies, chances are that theyre not looking their best. Wet the penny with warm water until its thoroughly dampened (but not dripping). This natural acid can be used to clean coins, pots and pans, and more. Easy & Effective Ways to Clean Dirty Coins at Home, 10+ Ways to Clean Your Clipper Blades like a Pro Barber. Dish soap is another good cleaning method and is very gentle. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. Ammonia is another option that can be used to clean copper pennies. Under Water Metal Detectors Some of these have relatively sound science behind them, but they should be used at your own risk. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It may take a couple of applications, so dont be afraid to try this method a few times to get out those tough stains. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.