How To Clean Old Coins

If you are an avid coin collector, you want to keep these coins in mint condition. One of the best ways to do this is to know how to clean old coins in the proper way.

Collecting old coins has been a favorite hobby for many people for a very long time. Keeping these coins safely stored in a display case or book will keep them looking perfect for many years. They can last a lifetime. There is a certain joy to pull out the collection and gaze at the coins that are rare, and so old that no one sees them anymore. They may also be very valuable. This is why it’s very important to know the right way to clean the old coins, and to not clean them the wrong way.

Many collectors believe that the coins shouldn’t be cleaned at all.
However, there are still steps that should be taken to do it properly. A child who is starting a coin collection by just using coins he has found on the street will need to clean them. They are dirty and carry germs and should be sanitized before storing them.

The first thing to do is to wash your hands thoroughly. If preferred, it is also a good idea to wear a pair of latex gloves while cleaning. A towel or soft cloth that is folded over should be placed on the working surface. This would be a place for the coins to dry. Using warm, not hot, tap water, fill a small plastic container. Do not use a hard container because these can scratch the coins. A very tiny amount of mild dishwashing liquid should be mixed with the water.

Another plastic container should be filled with distilled or hot running tap water. This is the water that will rinse them after washing them. Wash one coin at a time. Rub both sides of the coin with the soapy water with a very gentle motion. If there is any kind of dirt lodged in the coin, rub it towards the outer part, not towards the middle. Never wash all of the coins at once. Doing it one at a time will surely remove any dirt and germs that are on each one.

If you are using both hot tap and distilled water, first rinse the coin under the hot tap water.
Then do another rinse in the distilled water to remove any residue that may be found in the tap water. When this is finished, only handle the coin on the edges. It is now ready to dry. Pat it dry with a soft cloth or towel. Then place it on the towel to let it air dry. They are only ready to store when they are completely dry. This is very important. If they are even damp, they will become damaged over a period of time.

To keep the coins more valuable, never use harsh chemicals, or do any dipping or polishing on the old coins. This will lower their value. The oxidation on the coins is called toning and they are worth much more money with the oxidation still intact.

It is a good idea for a collector to consult a professional if he really wants to know how to care for the coins in the safest and most proper way.

Photo Credits: chrstphre

Originally posted 2010-08-06 09:15:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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