\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Modern Coin Mart is another site for selling coins. While you're grasping the coin firmly by its edges, use a clean toothbrush to lightly scrub the flat surfaces of the coin. Like vinegar, citrus juice is acidic and wears off copper oxide on coins. This is the important part: rinse with distilled, not tap water. One of the main reasons for pennies becoming dirty is their continual circulation among people. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? This eliminates the possibility of abrasions to your investment. It is easy to just use any cleaning agent for this, but you need to understand that there are many cleaning materials that will potentially damage the penniesand even hurt your skin in the process. If you have a collection of copper pennies, chances are that theyre not looking their best. It only requires rubbing the penny with a pencil eraser. Soak your pennies for five minutes in vinegar to dissolve any copper oxide . Gently scrub them with either a soft toothbrush or your fingers. This is a simple, inexpensive method that works well on pennies that arent too tarnished. 5. With wheat pennies, you will want to fill a small dish with fresh water and some dish soap. Keep reading below for the best methods for safely cleaning your wheat pennies at home. Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Required fields are marked *. One not so common cleaning method I found is using ketchup. Wheat pennies are a relatively common find when metal detecting. Rinse off excess mustard under running water until all traces are removed from both sides before allowing them dry completely upside down so they wont lose any color fading away while drying out naturally overnight.. Step 2 Add a teaspoon of salt to the bowl full of vinegar, and stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved. Use Water Sometimes the simplest methods are best. In addition to the vinegar and lemon juice, ketchup can also be used to clean copper pennies. Coins Metal Detectors When in doubt, refrain from cleaning anything older than those. This detector works very well in areas with high soil mineralization. Water is less abrasive than other cleaning methods and should clean most of the dirt and debris off your wheat pennies. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This method you will help you to clean old coin properly without any damage to. Never rub or scrub coins which have numismatic value. tb1234. What are ultrasonic cleaners when it comes to cleaning copper coins? Caution: blood plasma counts as a fluid. Stir the mixture to dissolve the salt. They can clean your coin if it has PVC residue, dirt, debris, adhesive, tape reside, copper spots on gold, or toning issues. 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. That means a lot more options for getting them clean enough to use again. There are many methods you can use at home to clean your wheat pennies, and other coins you have found, safely and carefully. Wait a few minutes, then check on the quarter. Salt and vinegar combinations have been used to clean coins for many yearsthis method is actually on display in one of the earlier videos I shared above. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Here are a few different methods that you can use to get those pennies clean. Patience is key: The best way to clean a copper coin is by using patience and not being afraid to try new methods until one works well enough for you without scratching up your penny too much while doing so. They will not pay you until you have shipped the coins. Let them soak for a while. Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda. Vinegar and salt are the best methods of cleaning your pennies. When in doubt, leave the coin as you found it. Rinse off the ketchup and inspect the condition of your coins. The aluminum foil is key to the reaction which removes the tarnish. Acids wear away copper, so exposing a coin to vinegar and other products can cause permanent damage. And if you're unsure of how to properly clean a coin and you want a second opinion, get in contact with a coin expert before trying any of the following methods. There is no way to clean a coin without damaging its collectible value, even wiping with a cloth causes scratches that reduce the value in the eyes of professional collectors. How do you clean old copper coins without damaging them? Where I live, we have acidic and hard water. There are various other methods to clean your pennies. I usually DO NOT use water or oil, b. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. The soap should help keep the coin safe while you gently scrub it. It is definitely cheaper to clean it yourself, but there are occasions where it would be more prudent of you to allow professionals to handle it. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. Dish soap is another good cleaning method and is very gentle. Most wheat pennies that are not extremely rare will sell for at least 3 to 5 cents at most coin dealers. Some are damaged by contact with other coins, general circulation, or being buried in the ground for many years. For coins that are not terribly valuable, you can clean them yourself with little to no worry. If possible, stick to water or dish soap for cleaning wheat pennies. For tips on how to shine your coins with baking soda, read on! Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? If necessary, a little bit of gentle soap can be used, with Ivory soap being the preferred brand. The Minelab Equinox 800 is another of my favorite metal detectors. If you need to remove dirt from your coins, remove the worst of it with a tooth pick. One of the simplest ways to clean coins is by using distilled water and a soft towel. If needed, use a soft towel or soft-bristled brush to scrub the coin. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. "What stood out was that very common household ingredients were used.". Step 3 Now put those pennies into the bowl containing the mixture of vinegar and salt. Water is one of the best and safest ways to clean your wheat pennies. If youre more of a do-it-yourselfer, try using a basic household cleaner to start. This works well because the dish soap will loosen dirt and grim, and gently lift it from the surface of the metal object. If you dont have ketchup or another acid, try using a metal polish from a general store. Avoid rubbing where possible as they can scratch and damage the coins surface. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. There are many metal detectors that are specifically for coin shooting, while others are all-purpose metal detectors. The first step to cleaning a copper penny is soaking it in vinegar. For this reason, only clean coins that have little value, such as standard pennies. For coins that dont have collectible value, you can use sand, olive oil, and even isopropyl alcohol to get the job done.