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Question

How should someone clean tarnished gold?

Kennon Young
Master Gemologist Appraiser
Kennon Young is a Master Gemologist Appraiser and the Owner of Vermont Gemological Laboratory in Burlington, Vermont. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kennon and his team specialize in handmade engagement rings, wedding bands, and custom jewelry. He attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, the Gemological Institute of America, and the Rhode Island School of Design Extension. He is a Jewelers of America (JA) Certified Bench Jeweler Technician and received the highest credential in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser, in 2016.

Kennon Young

Master Gemologist Appraiser

Expert Answer

Gold will only tarnish after 50-60 years. If you have gold that's old enough to be tarnished, removing the tarnish will most likely devalue the gold as the tarnish is showing its antiquity.

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Question

How can I clean a really old coin?

Dean Kinzer
Numismatics Expert
Dean Kinzer is a Numismatics Expert. He is a specialist in ancient coins and is the founder of Kinzer Coins, a rare ancient coin dealership and educational coin resource hub. At Kinzer Coins, Dean has built the premier destination for authenticated ancient coins from Roman, Greek, Byzantine, and Biblical periods. Kinzer Coins’ mission is to bring history to life by connecting their clients with the legacy of ancient civilizations through authentic coins. He hosts the Ancient Coin Hour Podcast, which connects his audience directly with leading numismatists and ancient coin experts. The podcast helps listeners avoid common pitfalls while building an investment-grade collection that appreciates in both financial and historical value. Dean’s father was a numismatics expert himself, and taught Dean to recognize authentic ancient artifacts, understand their historical significance, and connect people with tangible pieces of history. He received a Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University with a Certificate in Leadership.

Dean Kinzer

Numismatics Expert

Expert Answer

Don’t try to clean ancient coins on your own at first—you’ll most likely ruin them. There are professionals who clean coins the right way, and I'd recommend finding and learning from them.

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Question

How do you clean coins that have oxidized?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Before you do anything, remember that you should never clean coins that you think may be collectible as this can greatly devalue them. If this isn't an issue, then for oxidized pennies, you can soak them in 1/4 cup vinegar mixed with 1-2 teaspoons of salt for a few minutes. Just be sure to rinse off the vinegar with water after you've soaked them, since any remaining vinegar residue could cause the coins to oxidize again.

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Question

Can Coca Cola clean a coin?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, Coca Cola contains phosphoric acid, which can help remove oxidation or dirt from coins like pennies. But never clean a coin yourself if you think it may be valuable and there are many, much less sticky cleaners out there that will clean coins as well or better!

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Question

Can you clean coins with vinegar?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

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. First, rinse your coins in some cold water to get rid of any dust or grime on the surface. You can also use a toothbrush to remove surface gunk if you wish. Then mix together 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1-2 teaspoons of salt in a bowl that can hold all your coins. Submerge your coins in the solution for a few minutes, rinse them in warm water to remove any vinegar (which could corrode the coins if left on them) and then polish them clean with a cloth or paper towel. If this isn't enough you can try repeating the process and soaking the coins for a little longer.

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Question

How do you clean corroded coins?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Be sure to never attempt to clean coins that you think may be valuable! If you're cleaning them for some other reason you can try soaking in vinegar, or using baking soda and a toothbrush to try to remove corrosion abrasively. Soaking in mineral oil, olive oil or acetone may also be viable options.

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Question

Could I clean and shine coins with Coke?

Community Answer

You can use any fizzy drinks; the acid shines.

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Question

Will my coins increase in quality and value if I clean them?

Community Answer

If the coin has numismatic (collectible) value, then cleaning them will reduce the value of the coins. These numismatic coins should be left alone. If the coin is in circulation, then the coin will stay at face value. So in short, cleaning won't increase the value of any coins.

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Question

How do I clean a coin with paint on it?

Community Answer

Try using isopropyl alcohol, or search how to clean coins with baking soda.

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Question

How do I remove a rusty and black tar-like substance from my coins?

Community Answer

Put some vinegar on the rusty area for about 10 minutes, then rub the vinegar off with a wet sponge or toothbrush.

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Question

I have a green mold-like stuff on a bunch of coins. How can I clean them?

Community Answer

Coins are not susceptible to mold so soak them in soapy lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes and scrub them, but not too abrasively.

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Question

My coins were involved in the recent flood in Louisiana. How should I clean them, and are they susceptible to mold?

Community Answer

Put your coins in a container with some mild soap. Wait 5-10 minutes, then take them out and gently brush them with an old toothbrush. Coins are not susceptible to mold.

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Question

My coin collection was submerged under flood waters twice, and most of the coins have turned black or dark brown. What can I do?

Community Answer

Put your coins in a container with some water and a mild hand soap. Wait for 5-10 minutes, then take the coins out and wash them off. Dry the coins.

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Question

How do I get old scotch tape glue off old coins?

Community Answer

Avon Skin So Soft takes tar and sap off of car mirrors, and should work nicely for your purpose.

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Question

What effect does dish soap have on coins?

Community Answer

Dish soap does not diminish the look of a coin, unless the coin has been scrubbed too abrasively.

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Question

How do I clean a lot of dimes at once?

Community Answer

A good way is to use an isopropyl alcohol bath, a cola bath, or an acetone bath.

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Question

My mom used to boil coins to clean them. Does this work?

Community Answer

You can't thoroughly clean coins just with hot water; they need chemicals to be clean. I recommend using the alcohol and salt trick.

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Question

What can I use to remove the black substance from my pennies?

Ooma

Community Answer

Put some vinegar on the black area for about 10 minutes, then rub the vinegar off with a wet sponge or toothbrush.

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Question

What ratio of vinegar and sugar will clean coins?

Community Answer

Around 1/4 cup vinegar and 1-2 teaspoons of sugar.

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Question

What can I use to clean pennies?

Flosut0708

Community Answer

Vinegar and salt can clean pennies. Simply stir vinegar and salt together, put the pennies in, and take them out after ten seconds. Wipe off the excess liquid. Don't do this on valuable coins in case of an after effect.

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Question

My coins accidentally fell into some bleach and turned black and gray. How can I get them back to their original color?

Community Answer

Vinegar or any other acidic substance would help immensely. Scrub the coins with a toothbrush and then wipe them off with a q-tip.

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Question

Can coins be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner? What cleaning solution to use?

Community Answer

Put the coins in to soak for several days, then rinse off what’s loose. Scrub with a toothbrush to remove excess dirt, then put it in your ultrasonic cleaner with a drop of mild hand wash and run 5 minutes at a time. Some coins will require more work than they are worth.

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Question

I recently received some old pennies, and I think some of them have battery acid on them. How can I clean them?

Community Answer

Take aluminum foil and scrub it off. Try not to touch the acid because it is not good for skin or clothing.

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Question

How do I get rust and dirt off of coins safely?

Community Answer

You can get the dirt off using lemon and salt.

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Question

How do I remove varnish from an anniversary coin that was on a plaque?

Community Answer

Go to a professional so the precious coin isn't damaged. Scratching your anniversary coin is the last thing you would want.

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Question

How do I remove a tar-like substance from a vintage nickel?

Ooma

Community Answer

Put some vinegar on the affected area for about 10 minutes, then rub the vinegar off with a wet sponge or toothbrush.

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Question

How do I get the green and black stuff off of my coins?

Community Answer

Soak the coins in vinegar, and then get remove the vinegar and dry your coins.

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Question

How can I make my coins shiny for display purposes if I am not concerned about the future value of the collection?

Community Answer

You can mix baking soda and water to make a paste and rub that on the coin, then rinse it off.

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Question

How do I clean a coin without decreasing the value.

Community Answer

The short answer is to make sure the coin you're cleaning is still in circulation. Cleaning any coin that might one day be worth more is generally a bad idea.

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Question

How do I clean coins that were in a fire?

Community Answer

Try the cola or alcohol bath if there is ash or charred stuff on the coin. If no amount of cola can clean off the substances, see a professional if the coin means a lot to you, and you are willing to pay for its cleaning.

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