How to clean coins from rust and oxidation - choice of method depending on the material of the coin

Over time, all metal items will sooner or later become corroded and oxidized. Vintage coins made of different metals and alloys also have this problem.

To return coins to their presentable appearance and increase their shelf life, you need to clean them periodically. Methods of cleaning can be:

Mechanical.
Chemical.
Ultrasonic.

They are used depending on the degree of dirt and the shelf life of the coins.

Peculiarities of cleaning coins made of different materials

It is necessary to take into account what material the coin is made of. This affects the method and type of cleaning substance.

Gold and silver coins

How to clean gold and silver coins? Gold and silver coins are considered by numismatists to be the most valuable, so they require careful care. To clean such coins, you need to use nonaggressive substances which will clean them gently.

Cleaning with chemicals

A 10% ammonia solution is used to clean precious metal coins. It is necessary to soak the coins in distilled water for 2-3 days and then drop them in the ammonia solution for 1 hour. Then rinse with water and wipe well.

Keep safety in mind when working with chemicals. Wear rubber or latex gloves.

Mechanical cleaning

As in the method described above, soak the coin in distilled water for a couple of days. After that, clean the toothbrush, the hardness depends on the degree of contamination. If the contamination is very large, use a soapy solution.

Copper Coins

How to clean a copper coin? The substance to clean copper depends on the color and degree of plaque. A distinction is made:

Red plaque. To clean the plaque you need to use a 5% solution of ammonia.
Green plaque. A solution of citric acid must be prepared to clean the plaque.
Yellow plaque. In this case, you need to use acetic acid.

In the case of citric and acetic acid, you need to carefully control the cleaning process. These acids are very aggressive, so you need to prepare a solution strictly according to the instructions, otherwise the acid can clean everything, right down to the metal.

During the cleaning process, carefully turn the coins over and watch how clean they are.

Care for copper coins after cleaning:

Clean the coin in distilled water.
Make a copper sulfate solution by adding 50 grams of copper sulfate and 5 grams of potassium permanganate to one liter of water.
Heat the resulting solution to a temperature of 90 degrees.
Soak the coins in it for a few minutes so that the protective film is applied evenly.

Bronze and Nickel Coins

How do I clean bronze and nickel coins? Coins made of these materials are very hard so they can be cleaned by improvised means.

Vinegar and salt

Algorithm for cleaning:

Make a solution of vinegar and salt.
Soak the coins in the solution.
Clean them with an eraser and wipe them thoroughly with a cloth.

Trilon-B

This is a special chemical designed to clean bronze and nickel coins.

Algorithm for cleaning:

Pour the powder into a plastic container and pour boiling water over it.
Dip the coins in the solution and keep it until the coins are completely clean.
Rub thoroughly with a cloth.

Bimetal coins

Bimetal is an alloy of several metals. Such an alloy requires gentle and safe cleaning. Effective and safe cleaning methods:

Coca-Cola. You need to place the coin in a carbonated beverage and soak it overnight. In the morning, wipe thoroughly with a napkin. For maximum cleaning, you need to repeat the procedure for a week.
Formic acid and alcohol. Prepare a solution of these components and put coins in it for 5 minutes. This solution will not only clean the coins, but also return them to their original luster.
Toothpaste. Use the toothpaste and a brush to scrub the coin thoroughly, rinsing periodically with water.

Special products for cleaning metal coins

How to clean an old coin? To clean old metal coins, you can use household chemistry products that are specifically designed for this purpose. These include substances such as: "Asidol-M", Silbo, Leuchtturm, Shine Coins. They are used to clean coins made of any metal.

The entire processing procedure is described in the instructions for these substances.

Important: When working with household chemicals, observe safety precautions, and do not allow acid to get on your mucous membranes.

Home remedies for cleaning coins

How to clean coins at home? No less effective in the matter of cleaning will be the old-fashioned methods of cleaning coins with home remedies.

Soap

In this case, you need to use baby soap. It is necessary to grind the soap, you can use a grater for this purpose, and make a soap solution, which by consistency will resemble a plastic solution.After preparing the solution, coins should be placed in it and stored there for 3-4 weeks, periodically taking out and washing away the dirt.

Soda and soap

To avoid waiting 3-4 weeks, you can add some baking soda to the soap solution. Then the coins will be cleaned much faster. After cleaning, wipe the coins with alcohol to disinfect them and lubricate with Vaseline ointment.

Oil

This method involves boiling the coin in an oil solution, the best means for this would be petroleum jelly oil. After the coin has been completely cleaned, it must be treated with alcohol.

Coin cleaning with electrolysis

How to clean coins from rust? With the help of an electric current. Plaque and various impurities are removed from the surface of the metal under the influence of an electric current on it.

How to perform this procedure:

For cleaning by electrolysis, we will need a power supply, not more than 12 volts.
You will also need a metal object.
We prepare a container with a salt solution of the consistency of 1 tablespoon per liter of water.
Clips are attached to the coin and the metal object.
Both objects are dipped into the salt solution and the power unit is turned on.
The duration of cleaning depends on how dirty the surface of the coin is.
The coin is rinsed with hot water and dried.

Thanks to electrolysis, not only will the dirt be removed, but after the treatment, the coins will regain their original luster.

To clean metal coins, you can use both household chemicals and improvised home remedies. The main thing is to select the optimal means for cleaning the particular material. It is better to choose the mildest, gentlest methods and means for maximum safety.