What's the best way to clean 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.
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How do you clean a coin without hurting it?

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.
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What liquid cleans coins the best?

Vinegar (or Lemon Juice) and Salt

This method is the best way to clean your pennies, and it will produce a very bright orangey-copper color on your pennies. 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.
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How do professionals clean coins?

Ultrasonic Cleaners

These coins are cleaned by using distilled water with a small amount of detergent in a special vibrating container. Acid based cleaners will eat away at a coin's surface diminishing its value.
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How do you clean coins and make them shiny?

Related Items
  1. First, gather your supplies. ...
  2. In a jar, combine 1 cup vinegar (or lemon juice) and 1 tablespoon salt. ...
  3. Pour the solution into the plastic container. ...
  4. Add the coins in a single layer, so none of the coins are touching. ...
  5. When you remove the coins and wipe them with a cloth or paper towel, they should look shiny.
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How to clean coins without damaging them



Will vinegar damage coins?

A common ingredient in DIY eco-friendly cleaners, the acetic acid in white vinegar can help wear away the contamination on your coins. 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.
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Does hydrogen peroxide clean coins?

Place coins in a bowl and pour enough hydrogen peroxide to cover the coins. Let the coins soak for 24 hours. Rinse them with water, then dry with a cloth.
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Does cleaning a coin devalue it?

It is best not to clean rare coins as removing the patina can significantly reduce the value of them. For this reason, most coin hobbyists almost never clean their coins. In fact, 99% of coins do not increase in value after you clean them, but many will be greatly devalued.
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How do you clean silver coins without damaging them?

More videos on YouTube
  1. Step 1: Line Container With Aluminum Foil.
  2. Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda.
  3. Step 3: Add Tarnished Silver Coins.
  4. Step 4: Add More Baking Soda & Hot Water.
  5. Step 5: Rub Away the Tarnish & Grime.
  6. Step 6: Rinse Silver Coin With Cold Water.
  7. Step 7: Inspect Your Coins.
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Does cleaning coins affect value?

1. The most important thing NOT to do is clean your coins. Cleaning rare numismatic coins will significantly reduce their value – plain and simple. Although you don't lose much by cleaning a coin which derives value only from its silver content, it's not worth the risk.
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What cleans a penny faster?

Your Materials For This Science Experiment & Steps Combined
  1. Ketchup. Soak your pennies in ketchup to clean them like new. ...
  2. Hot Sauce. Hot sauce, like Tabasco or taco sauce, also will remove the oxides off pennies. ...
  3. Coke. Coke and off-brand colas will quickly remove the tarnish. ...
  4. Citrus Juice. ...
  5. Pencil Eraser. ...
  6. Vinegar and Salt.
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Will lemonade clean coins?

Pennies are made out of a metal called copper. The copper mixes with oxygen, the same gas that we breathe. This cause something called oxidation and makes the penny look dirty. Lemon juice has acid in it that removes the dirty color or oxidation and makes the penny nice and shiny again!
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Does baking soda and vinegar clean coins?

With a little time, minimal effort and some basic household supplies, such as vinegar and baking soda, you can bring out the shine in even the dingiest of tarnished pennies. Cleaning coins with baking soda and white vinegar is effective and easy to do.
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Should I clean my old coins?

OLD coins shouldn't be cleaned as it could possibly lower their value or even worse, permanently damage them, experts have said. If you want to clean a coin, consider one that has sentimental value rather than monetary or one that isn't rare, they add.
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Does baking soda damage silver coins?

Cleaning coins using baking soda is surprisingly simple. While you may not want to attempt this method on very valuable coins or very old coins, you can just dip your fingers in a little baking soda and use it to scrub the coin. You would see that using baking soda to clean coins is both harmless and effective.
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Should I clean tarnished silver coins?

Never try to remove the natural oxidation from coins, such as the tarnish on silver coins. Tarnish on silver coins is called "toning" and the coin is worth more with the toning intact. Removing it will damage the coin's surface and greatly reduce its value.
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How do you clean coins with Coke?

Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Identify the coin type.
  2. Put the plug into the sink.
  3. Rinse under the cold tap.
  4. Pour the Coke into a bowl.
  5. Place coins into the Coke bow.
  6. Set the timer for 5 minutes.
  7. Rinse under the cold tap again.
  8. If they are still dirty, put back in the Coke bowl.
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Why do coins lose value when cleaned?

This is because anything that touches a coin has the potential to damage it at the microscopic level. The more abrasive a cleaner is used to clean the coin, the more likely it is to remove the upper surface of the coin - damage that can never be undone.
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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 ...
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Should coins be cleaned 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.
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Can you clean coins with apple cider vinegar?

Apple Cider Vinegar Technique

Pour Apple Cider Vinegar into a small container drop penny in and wait till it looks clean ( do not leave in to long) rinse rub on a baking soda paste rinse, dry and polish lightly with a soft cloth.
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How do you soak a coin to clean it?

Soak dirtier coins in a cup of white vinegar — The acid in vinegar is great at dissolving stubborn stains or corrosion. You can soak the coins for at least 30 minutes, a few hours, or even overnight.
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