Should you wash coins?

There is no benefit to attempting to clean a collectible coin. Copper never re-tones to its original color and look anyway. Put down the polish before you destroy something historical and throw away a fortune.

Is it safe to wash coins?

Soap. Cleaning your old coins with gentle dish soap and water can loosen some of that built-up dirt. Fill a small plastic container with warm water, add a few drops of mild soap, immerse the coins, and rub with your fingers or a soft toothbrush to clean.

How do you clean old coins without damaging them?

Baking soda and vinegar have proven to be one of the most effective ways to clean tarnished coins. Submerge the coins in a shallow bath of vinegar and let them soak for at least an hour. If you don't have vinegar on hand, filtered tap or distilled water can be used as a substitute.

Does cleaning a coin devalue it?

The single biggest mistake you can make as a collector: Cleaning your coins. Your collection will likely be worth much less if the coins have been cleaned! An uncirculated coin that has been cleaned is not longer an uncirculated coin! Please do not clean them!

Should you clean coins before selling?

Don't clean your coins! Not only does this cut their value by as much as half (or possibly even more), but it will be an immediate deal-breaker for many dealers who would've otherwise wanted to buy your coins if only they were left in their original condition.

Should You Clean Your Coins? Coin Restoration Versus Coin Cleaning Facts

How do you clean silver coins without losing value?

How do you tell if a coin has been cleaned?

When the coin leaves the mint after just being struck, it has a shine or luster. The original mint luster is gradually destroyed as a coin circulates through commerce. Cleaning a coin will also remove the luster thereby destroying the original surface characteristics.

Why is cleaning coins important?

Coin cleaning is the process of removing undesirable substances from a coin's surface in order to make it more attractive to potential buyers. The subject is controversial as no consensus exists among the numismatic community whether cleaning is necessary.

What is the best way to clean coins?

Take the coins out and sprinkle some baking soda over them; then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush them clean. Rinse them out thoroughly with hot water; using tongs or gloves to hold them to avoid burning your fingers. Place them on a soft, cotton towel and leave to air dry.

Is a 1964 nickel worth anything?

A 1964 nickel is worth approximately 5 cents on today's market. However, if the coin is rare, uncirculated, or in mint condition, it can be worth as much as $225–$275!

Can Coke clean coins?

Coke and off-brand colas will quickly remove the tarnish. Just don't drink the coke afterward. Coke contains phosphoric acid that cleans the oxides. Try a variety of citrus juices to see which works best or simply let your pennies soak in lemon juice.

Will vinegar damage coins?

First, if you think your coins might be of any value, do not clean them at all, since you can possibly damage them by soaking in cleaners like vinegar. If you want to clean the coin for some other reason, vinegar should work fine.

What year pennies are worth money?

Look for all-copper pennies.

Old pennies made before 1982 are 95% copper, which gives them an inherent metal value. This translates to the pennies being worth more.

Why does dish soap clean coins?

Solvents such as soap, detergent or acetone can be used to clean coins. This is known as "non-destructive" cleaning because the metal is not adversely affected. To remove dirt and grease, some collectors use a mild detergent solution, such as dishwashing liquid with ordinary water.

How do you disinfect coins?

Is it OK to clean silver coins?

Tarnish on silver coins is called "toning," The coin is worth more with the toning intact. Removing it will damage the coin's surface and significantly reduce its value. In other words, you should never use dips, polish, or chemical solutions to clean your coins.

How long do you soak coins in Coke?

Pour your coins into the bowl and fill with Coke. Let the coins soak in the soda for about 5 minutes, then check to see if the corrosion has washed away. If the coins still feel grimy, then you can return them to the bowl for up to 15 minutes. If left much longer than 15 minutes, the soda can dissolve the metals.

What are the 15 most valuable pennies?

Why shouldnt you clean coins?

Removing this effect can significantly reduce the value of the item. The other main reason you shouldn't clean old coins is that you can easily damage them. Most coin cleaning products are abrasive, and could damage the coin. Non-abrasive chemicals can still react with the other metals found in some old coins.

Should I clean old gold coins?

Gold coins don't frequently tarnish or corrode when appropriately kept, so they shouldn't require cleaning. Some coin collectors think that breathing on the coin surface is a great way to clean it up and improve the shine. It's a bad idea. You'll be putting excess moisture on the coin from your breath.

Can I use hand sanitizer to clean coins?

However, if you don't have any soap and water available, hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes are good alternatives and are far superior to not cleaning your coins at all. When cleaning your coins, you only need to wash the surfaces for a few seconds.

What causes rainbow toning on coins?

Rainbow toning occurs when atmospheric chemicals, especially sulfur, interact with the surface of a coin over a long period. Such toning is more frequently seen on silver coins.

What does PCGS use to clean coins?

PCGS Restoration will remove contaminants that are determined to have been deliberately and artificially applied, including putty, grease and other substances used by "coin doctors." Restoration also will remove contaminants on the coin's surface caused by improper care or storage, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or ...