This works well because the dish soap will loosen dirt and grim, and gently lift it from the surface of the metal object. I like to use distilled water to clean coins if I decide to clean them. PCGS offers a restoration service that can aid in cleaning your coins professionally. If the quarter is clean, rinse it off with distilled water. 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. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? Let them soak for a while. Let us move on to how to clean wheat pennies you intend to keep or sell yourself without any type of professional grading service. Get a corrosive resistant container, such as a glass, and soak your wheat pennies in the vinegar for at least 30 minutes. Start by adding a quarter cup of white vinegar, or lemon juice, into a cup or glass. The coins need to be submerged in the vinegar, so make sure the vinegar doesn't have too much space to spread out. There are many metal detectors that are specifically for coin shooting, while others are all-purpose metal detectors. If you dont have vinegar on hand, filtered tap or distilled water can be used as a substitute. That means a lot more options for getting them clean enough to use again. Clean them off using distilled water and soap, using an old toothbrush to scour them clean. If the water is not enough, continue down the list and use dish soap. 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. 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. You can also opt for durable plastic holders, which can be square or round. If it works for you, stick with it. Soak the coins for 12 hours. If your pennies still dont get clean after the fifth step, you can mix baking soda with a tablespoon of water, then use an old soft toothbrush to gently scrub the surface. If you do not rinse all the vinegar off your wheat pennies, they may turn green or bluish green. Make a bath using a cup of isopropyl alcohol combined with two tablespoons of salt. Dish soap is another good cleaning method and is very gentle. Copper coins often turn a muddled brown color, and these marks can be cleaned off with salt and a mild acid like white vinegar. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. I usually DO NOT use water or oil, b. Drop your coins into the mixture and let them sit for about 5 minutes. 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. Rinse them off after soaking them in vinegar so they dont reabsorb any of that dirt onto themselves! To clean softer or more valuable coins, your best bet is to lightly rinse them in warm water, then pat them dry with a microfiber cloth. The first step to cleaning a copper penny is soaking it in vinegar. One of the main reasons for pennies becoming dirty is their continual circulation among people. 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. The aluminum foil is key to the reaction which removes the tarnish. Repeat the process as many times as you need in order to get the coins clean. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Apmex is a well-known auction site for coins. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Follow these steps to make your pennies completely clean: Step 1 Pour a small quantity of vinegar into a bowl. For many pennies, one tablespoon (15 g) of salt in 1/2 cup (4 oz) of vinegar will get the job done. When in doubt, refrain from cleaning anything older than those. Pennies are made from highly reactive metals like copper or copper alloys, so it is only normal for them to get corroded with time. One of the simplest ways to clean coins is by using distilled water and a soft towel. Cleaning them can go wrong very quicklyand who wants to devalue their newly found treasure? This is what gives some pennies their odd bluish hue. But, if you are in doubt about how to clean your pennies, it is a good idea to leave them alone or consult a rare coin specialist before you begin the cleaning process. Try cleaning only a few pennies at a time. That way, if the cleaning method damages the coin, youre not going to be upset about it. Rinse the coin very well under warm water. The best thing about using rubbing alcohol is that it will remove the tarnish from your copper coin without damaging its surface. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. % of people told us that this article helped them. Water is less abrasive than other cleaning methods and should clean most of the dirt and debris off your wheat pennies. An easy way to clean copper pennies and coins to remove the build-up of grime is with soapy water and a little elbow grease. Soak your pennies for five minutes in vinegar to dissolve any copper oxide left on them from handling before you start scrubbing them with toothpaste or soap. If youre having trouble getting rid of the tarnish on your copper penny, rubbing alcohol might be the trick you need. That is because ketchup has vinegar in it, which is naturally acidic. Elias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. If they're extra dirty or if you're cleaning a lot simultaneously, give them a few more minutes for good measure. Mix 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup flour and enough vinegar to make a thick paste. There is something so magical and intriguing about looking through coins from the past. Rinse and dry: After scrubbing, rinse in warm water and dry the copper with a lint-free dishtowel. Keep reading below for the best methods for safely cleaning your wheat pennies at home. Place your pennies in the vinegar or the lemon juice. In your small container, measure in a cup of fresh lemon juice (or white vinegar) and add one tablespoon of salt to it. EBay, one of the most popular online auction sites, charges a 10 percent fee plus listing fees. Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean pennies and other copper coins, as well as other metals. After learning about how to clean a copper penny in this article, you should be able to do it well and keep your coin looking better for longer. In addition to the vinegar and lemon juice, ketchup can also be used to clean copper pennies. Mix cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl that is non-metallic. Be sure to check with a professional before cleaning a corroded coin that may have significant value. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. I would not do any cleaning at all. 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. It might even be a good idea to stay away from even hiring a professional service to clean them for you. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. You can always put them on other websites like Facebook market, but you may not reach the intended audience with that forum. Rinse your pennies well with water; otherwise, if any of these cleaning agents remain on the coin, the coin will turn blue-green. Next, soak the coins in the solution for 5 minutes, making sure theyre spread out so theyre all submerged. Check back on them every few minutes, especially if you use a highly acidic substance like cola, to avoid damaging them. Finally, take the pennies out and rinse them off using distilled water. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Take them out, setting them on the cloth. While you're grasping the coin firmly by its edges, use a clean toothbrush to lightly scrub the flat surfaces of the coin. Abrasive cleaning, using a brush and an acid or alcohol solution, can leave the coin with hair lines and discrepancies in the metal that may only be seen under the right lighting and magnification. Wait a few minutes, then check on the quarter. Scrub low-value coins with baking soda and vinegar, lemon juice and salt, or ketchup to break apart tarnish. Mouthwash not only helps with dental health but can help you clean up dirty coins. This method is the best way to clean your pennies, and it will produce a very bright orangey-copper color on your pennies. Place your pennies at the bottom of the cup or glass so that they are not stacked on top of each other. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Use a small plastic container full of hydrogen peroxide. Clearing away the dirt now makes the coin look clearer once you add the oil to it. You just cant see them because they are microscopicbut your intended buyer will see them. 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. First, gather your supplies. If the coins still look a little dull, try treating them with more paste. One of the most important aspects of cleaning old coins is to know the value first. Pennis that were made prior to 1982 had more copper in them, which can lead to a more intense reaction chemically while cleaning. Rinse the baking soda off with fresh water. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Just remember to rinse the pennies thoroughly after all cleaning methods. How to Clean Wheat Pennies Safely and Without Damage, How to Clean Corroded Pennies Safely and Effectively, How to Clean Gold Jewelry With Vinegar Without Any Damage. 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?. Ammonia is another option that can be used to clean copper pennies. If you decide to clean your wheat pennies, make sure you start with the least invasive cleaning method first. Those are meant to clean items like antique silver vases and your wedding ring. The composition of the coin, the condition of the coin, and the year of the coin all affect its value. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. Garret ACE 250 Review Pencil Eraser for Cleaning Pennies. In that event, you would want to avoid anything highly abrasive that could damage the surface of the coin. Do not clean these valuable pennies on your own, and if you do, only use distilled water. If they look clean enough, use a soft cloth to dry them. Pennies are made from highly reactive metals like copper or copper alloys, so it is only normal for them to get corroded with time. You can also find protective books which have individual sleeves for each coin. At this stage, the corrosion on the pennies mustve reacted with the lemon and salt solution, so it is time for you to start removing them from the container. If you don't have any vinegar on hand, a 1:1 ratio of water to acetone will produce the same effect. This detector uses 5 frequencies simultaneously or it can use them individually. You can also use baking soda and salt to clean your pennies. You must be gentle. Clean copper coins in a vinegar and salt solution. Copper, silver, nickel, and gold coins should strictly never be cleaned. The good news is that there is a solution available no matter what type of coin. Acids wear away copper, so exposing a coin to vinegar and other products can cause permanent damage. Enjoy! References. Never rub or scrub coins which have numismatic value. Drop the pennies into the mixture for about 5 minutes. For some of us, they just collect in a container until they are used or traded in. Overall, cleaning a copper penny is not that difficult most of the time, and any of the methods listed above will be sure to get the job done right. If pennies are collectibles, then cleaning them may reduce their value. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Lemon juice is acidic and can cause damage to the skin if inhaled or spilled. This detector works very well in areas with high soil mineralization. By using our site, you agree to our. Soak them in vinegar or ketchup: If youve ever used ketchup on your penny, then you know that it can clean it up pretty quicklyand with very little effort on your part at all! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Dont use steel wool or abrasive chemicals to clean your penny, as this could damage the metal. Here are a few different methods that you can use to get those pennies clean. This may be true in certain aspects, such as uncirculated monies. In many cases, cleaning a coin can lower the value of the coin as a collectors item. You can clean as many pennies you want with a single pencil eraser. Okay, so you have found some corroded pennies you want to clean and you have also gathered all the materials we listed above now its time for action. After 5 minutes, wash the solution off the coins with warm water, since if its left on too long it can damage them. Again, cleaning corrosion off wheat pennies can harm the value significantly. Using a soft cloth, apply your chosen cleaner to the coin and allow it to soak in for five minutes. 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. Soak coins in warm water mixed with liquid dish detergent to clean off light dirt and grime. Silver dollars, or any collectible silver coin, should only be cleaned under certain conditions. In fact, there are a lot of people who may suggest that using vinegar will hurt the integrity of your penny by making it tarnish. Pennies are normally made of copper, which is a shiny, bright metal, and more recently Zinc. There is one important thing to note, though. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Remember to not use tap water because the chemicals are bad for the coins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUbe88W78I0&feature=youtu.be&t=13, https://sciencebob.com/clean-pennies-with-vinegar/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMp2OYpCq8&feature=youtu.be&t=27, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHZSYR463uw&feature=youtu.be&t=41, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS9-A1TO67c&feature=youtu.be&t=45, https://www.pennycollector.com/cleaning.html, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/shine-bright-like-a-penny/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7cfVkadI_A&feature=youtu.be&t=174, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7cfVkadI_A&feature=youtu.be&t=928, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUPuRLcm7WY&feature=youtu.be&t=516, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUPuRLcm7WY&feature=youtu.be&t=542. Next, mix baking soda and water into a thick paste and rub this paste over the penny using your fingers. Very old or dirty coins require the extra effort. Get an appraisal before you clean themif you plan to sell them. Drop your coins in a bowl and cover them completely with olive oil. If you need to remove dirt from your coins, remove the worst of it with a tooth pick. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 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. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. Garret ACE 400 Review They can clean your coin if it has PVC residue, dirt, debris, adhesive, tape reside, copper spots on gold, or toning issues. If you have recently gone metal detecting and found several wheat pennies, what do you do with them now? Its a very interesting question and a great DIY project. Rinse the coin very well under warm water. The right materials will effectively clean your pennies and will also be safe for your hands. But we recommend the vinegar or lemon juice approach because the materials are safe for your skin, overall quite very effective, creates little to no mess, and the risk of damaging the pennies is fairly low. Guys you have got to try this, its crazyand it works like a charm, if you want yourpennies clean do this nowThe materials you need for this science experiment are:A few pennies that need to be cleaned1/4 cup white vinegar1 teaspoon saltNon-metal bowl A bowl of water Welcome To My Channel !! For instance, use a small applicator to "paint" only the heads for an unusual "cameo" effect. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. They may damage the surface of the wheat penny and devalue them. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Place the quarter you want to clean into a small plastic bowl. This should be enough to get them clean. [1] Start working on the coins that need the least amount of work. Other coins are molded from different metals, so the solution may not work as well on them. In terms of valuable wheat pennies, while it can range vastly depending on the pennys condition, here are some best case scenarios in terms of value for a select few: If you happen to have one of these in your wheat penny collection, consider yourself incredibly lucky! The best way to clean pennies is to never ever clean them. Last Updated: October 27, 2022 One of the most recommended cleaning solutions for wheat pennies is white vinegar. Even if they appear corroded and lacking shine or have a tarnish on them. Its found naturally in wine, and it works by breaking down the copper oxide coating on your pennies. tb1234 Basic Penny Cleaning Warm water Dishwashing soap Plastic bin Toothbrush Paper towel tb1234 1 How do you clean old copper coins without damaging them? This step is basically you leaving the pennies to soak inside the salt and lemon juice solution for 15 minutes. Step 3 Now put those pennies into the bowl containing the mixture of vinegar and salt. Rinse off any excess liquid with water and set aside to dry. We hope you enjoy these tips and find the one that works best for you! Remember, you can always try cleaning a coin again, but you cant reverse mistakes. Rinse with freshwater and let air dry. They must all lie flat at the bottom of the container. Many professional coin collectors and coin valuers recommend leaving the coins as they are. Dissolve 1 tsp (7 g) of table salt in a bowl with of white distilled vinegar. In this article well take a look at the top 10 tips for cleaning a copper penny. They will, in fact, devalue. After brushing each penny, rinse with clean water and dry, it should be looking good as new by now. If you are in a humid location, you can use desiccants to absorb atmospheric moisture. This way, you should not have to worry about cleaning them on a regular basis. Once theyve soaked enough, take them out and rinse them with clear water until all traces of acid are gone from their surfaces; finally dry them off with a paper towel before putting them back into circulation (or storing them). If you dont have a brush available, leave the coins submerged in the ketchup for at least 5 minutes. Use distilled water because chemicals in tap water may cause discoloration. Do not leave the coin in the ketchup for more than an hour or two as it will leave a green oxidation on the coin. For older, condition-sensitive coins, a gentle bath of water and mild hand soap will suffice. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Continue to slowly add water to the baking soda until it takes on the consistency of paste. Mix it together and add the coins into the bowl. Microwaving 2 cups of water for 2-3 minutes should suffice and avoid boiling water. Clean copper coins in a vinegar and salt solution. This natural acid can be used to clean coins, pots and pans, and more. It can be frustrating, but hang in there! It does not store any personal data. First, do not every use any type of jewelry cleaner or metal polish on coins. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. There are a variety of suggested ways when it comes to cleaning coins, and cleaning . The right materials will effectively clean your pennies and will also be safe for your hands. Soak the coins in more salt and vinegar if they still look dirty. Required fields are marked *. The Garrett Ace Apex is one of my favorite metal detectors for coin shooting.