3 tips to clean your old coins

You’re looking through a large box of pennies that you’ve overlooked for months, hoping only to add more items like Morgan dollars or buffalo rounds to your collection. That’s when he finds some Standing Liberty Quarters minted before 1925, which cost $2,300 each, especially those minted in 1916. However, there is a problem. These rare pieces are old and dirty. What are you supposed to do? Should you clean them or not? Experts who regularly buy and sell foreign currencies approve of coin cleaning as it tends to lower their value. However, when done correctly, old and dirty coins can benefit greatly from a good cleaning. Therefore, it is worth the effort. But first he learns how to do it right. Here are some tips:

1. Use soap and water

If your coins have dust or dirt from the garden, first clean them with soap and water to keep them looking bright and shiny. Mix a mild dishwashing soap in water. Dip a soft bristle brush in the solution until damp. Holding a coin by the edge, gently rub any dirt from the piece. Once you’re done, rinse it under warm tap water and dry with a clean, soft cloth. Repeat the process for all the coins you have in your collection.

2. Use salt, lemon juice or vinegar

These three kitchen items can go a long way in restoring much of the lost shine to your old coins. You might be wondering why use vinegar of all things. This is because the low to moderate levels of acid in the liquid or lemon juice help remove the brown rust or patina that builds up on old pennies. Pour a quarter of a cup of vinegar or lemon juice into a glass and add a teaspoon of salt to the mixture. Stir well so that it dissolves completely. Place your coins at the bottom of the glass. Do this carefully to make sure the pieces are not on top of each other. Wait about five minutes to make sure they look clean and shiny. If not, let the coins sit for another five minutes. Remember, you may need to wait 15 minutes to get the desired color and gloss. Once they are clean, remove the coins from the mixture and rinse them under warm tap water. Dry the parts with a warm soft cloth.

3. Clean with a pencil eraser

It is the easiest way to clean your old coins, since it does not involve the use of liquids that can spill or dirty your place. Start by placing a dirty coin on a clean, flat surface. Take a pencil eraser and rub your Liberty Quarter coin gently to remove any dirt or any oxidation from the piece. Make sure to use small circular motions. With all the dirt removed, turn the piece over and clean in the same way. Always use soft pencil erasers, paper, and a clean cloth to get the job done. Avoid using old pencils with rock-hard erasers because they are difficult to handle and can leave unsightly scratches. Be careful when rubbing your old coins because hobbyists are prone to removing the mint mark, thus rendering your rare coins worthless.

Do you find the old world charms of ancient coins fascinating? If yes, grow your numismatic collection buy old coins. But, even before that, he learns how to clean and handle them properly. However, refrain from using chemicals for that purpose; can make your precious pennies worthless.