Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part vinegar. Let us move on to how to clean wheat pennies you intend to keep or sell yourself without any type of professional grading service. It might seem like theres no hope for your tarnished coins, but fear not! Cleaning them can be a daunting task. Rinse the coin very well under warm water. % of people told us that this article helped them. So, in this article, Im going to explain to you exactly how to clean wheat pennies safely and effectively! Acids wear away copper, so exposing a coin to vinegar and other products can cause permanent damage. Your fingers contain oils, acids, and minuscule pieces of grit that will adhere to the surface of the coins and cause them to discolor or suffer microscopic scratching. Baking soda and vinegar have proven to be one of the most effective ways to clean tarnished coins. Step 5: Rub Away the Tarnish & Grime. Metal Detector Reviews (for anyone), Garrett AT Pro Review LARISA NIEDLE You'll Need: Salt White vinegar (or fresh lemon juice) Shallow plastic container Cloth or paper towel Baking soda (optional) Toothbrush (optional) Dishwashing liquid (optional) 02 of 07 Step 1: LARISA NIEDLE In a jar, combine 1 cup vinegar (or lemon juice) and 1 tablespoon salt. In that event, you would want to avoid anything highly abrasive that could damage the surface of the coin. You dont have to sacrifice the quality of your pennies just so you can have them looking good. The best method for achieving that is with salt and vinegar. "What stood out was that very common household ingredients were used.". Do not clean these valuable pennies on your own, and if you do, only use distilled water. Whether its a regular penny or a wheat penny, hopefully youve found this article to showcase a helpful method on how to clean a corded penny. Therefore, before cleaning old coins, consult an expert on the subject. Rare coins shouldn't be cleaned as doing so could remove the value Credit: Getty. Place the quarter you want to clean into a small plastic bowl. Top 7 Ways to Ruin Your Coins - The Spruce Crafts NEVER drink the solution that was used to clean the pennies. There are various other methods to clean your pennies. Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide can prove effective in removing various materials, including organic material. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUbe88W78I0&feature=youtu.be&t=13, https://sciencebob.com/clean-pennies-with-vinegar/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMp2OYpCq8&feature=youtu.be&t=27, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHZSYR463uw&feature=youtu.be&t=41, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS9-A1TO67c&feature=youtu.be&t=45, https://www.pennycollector.com/cleaning.html, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/shine-bright-like-a-penny/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7cfVkadI_A&feature=youtu.be&t=174, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7cfVkadI_A&feature=youtu.be&t=928, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUPuRLcm7WY&feature=youtu.be&t=516, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUPuRLcm7WY&feature=youtu.be&t=542. You will want to use a soft-bristled brush, one that has been well worn in as well as a soft cloth. Start with a mixture of warm, soapy water when cleaning silver coins. Pennies have been around since the late 1700s in the United States. For instance, use a small applicator to "paint" only the heads for an unusual "cameo" effect. The coins should be dipped in that bowl for at least five minutes. Signs of cleaning can be evident in many ways and often affect the value of the coin. As a result, the shiny bright metal develops an external layer having a dull green color. After 24 hours of drying time (72 hours if you live in humid conditions), use a soft cloth like an old T-shirt or washcloth to buff up all sides of your penny until it has regained most of its original shine! They are too harsh and abrasive to clean wheat pennies with. Rinse them off after soaking them in vinegar so they dont reabsorb any of that dirt onto themselves! How do you clean old copper coins without damaging them? How to clean green corroded copper coins Mix cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon of salt in a bowl that is non-metallic. Modern Coin Mart is another site for selling coins. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Soak your penny in the vinegar for a minimum of 30 minutes. How to Clean Copper Coins in Seconds: 4 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow It may take a couple of applications, so dont be afraid to try this method a few times to get out those tough stains. This makes it easier for copper atoms to join oxygen from the air and chlorine from the salt and form a blue green compound called malachite. Press ESC to cancel. If you dont see any results after trying a method for a few minutes, move on to something else. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Again, cleaning corrosion off wheat pennies can harm the value significantly. How do you clean old pennies without damaging them? How To Clean Old Coins (Hint: Don't!) - Vintage Cash Cow Blog I need advice on how to clean a coin without applying any damage to it If you use the right materials and carry out the process in a gentle manner, you can get the best of both worlds a set of cleaned shiny pennies that are also not damaged. Simply run the water over the coin, or let it soak in the water. Even if they appear corroded and lacking shine or have a tarnish on them. If it can clean oil off baby ducks, it should be able to clean your wheat pennies with very little damage! The key is to first know what kind of coin you have. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Both can damage coins easily. Paper Towels This process can get a bit messy. Okay, so you have found some corroded pennies you want to clean and you have also gathered all the materials we listed above now its time for action. That way, if the cleaning method damages the coin, youre not going to be upset about it. How to Clean Old Coins | Coupon Codes If necessary, a little bit of gentle soap can be used, with Ivory soap being the preferred brand. Of course, there are other ways to clean corroded pennies. Then dip your coins in the solution and let them soak for an hour or twothe longer they soak, the more oxidation will come off. The right materials will effectively clean your pennies and will also be safe for your hands. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Be extremely gentle! Start with two tablespoons of baking soda, mixing it with water into a bowl. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Stir until the salt dissolves. You must remember to use these at your discretion. Finally, drop the coins in, seal the lid, and shake it. Pennies are made from highly reactive metals like copper or copper alloys, so it is only normal for them to get corroded with time. Tartaric acid is a weak organic acid, which means its not as corrosive to your penny as other chemicals. 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. You must be gentle. Overall, cleaning a copper penny is not that difficult most of the time, and any of the methods listed above will be sure to get the job done right. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. At this stage, the corrosion on the pennies mustve reacted with the lemon and salt solution, so it is time for you to start removing them from the container. This article was co-authored by Elias Weston. The effect is achieved only where the mixture has been in contact with the coin, so ensure you cover the entire coin! Cleaning these will absolutely devalue them if they are not cleaned properlyso just be mindful of this. Gentle dish soap, like Dawn, is a good option for getting those wheat pennies shining again. This is what gives some pennies their odd bluish hue. Soak the coins in the lemon solution for up to one hour. 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. Rinse your pennies well with water; otherwise, if any of these cleaning agents remain on the coin, the coin will turn blue-green. 1/4 cup white vinegar 1 teaspoon salt A clear, shallow bowl (not metal) 2 clean steel nails A clean steel screw or bolt Paper towels Put the salt and vinegar in the bowl. How To Clean Old Copper Coins Without Damaging Them Distilled water is highly recommended as tap water since it contains chlorine that works perfectly in removing the unwanted substances. The method of cleaning depends on the type of coin. Sell them the way they are (or as is) and you will surely gain more money from your pennieswell, assuming they are actually worth something, of course. If youve ever discovered gold jewelry in the woods or beach before, then you likely stumbled upon jewelry that was quite dirty and in need, Read More How to Clean Gold Jewelry With Vinegar Without Any DamageContinue, Wheat pennies are a relatively common find when metal detecting. Be patient and try not to get frustrated. Mix equal parts distilled water and lemon juice into a container. They include: As you can see, these materials are very cheap and easy to find anywhere. You can clean a dug copper coin by removing layers of dirt, gently, with a toothpick, piece of wood, or your fingernail until getting down to the patina. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelors degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If you are keeping them for sentimental value or for your own personal collection, you may certainly clean them. It can even be used as a metal polishing solution. Anyone can use this simple technique. One of the main reasons for pennies becoming dirty is their continual circulation among people. Be gentle: A penny is a delicate coin and you dont want to scratch it up in the process of cleaning it. For a stronger treatment, let the coins soak in oil for about a day, then scrub them with a soft toothbrush. These became known as Lincon wheat pennies. Exposure to air leads to the formation of copper oxide. Pull the coins out of the liquid and gently wipe them with a paper towel to break apart the tarnish and dark spots. When in doubt, leave the coin as you found it. Leave the coin to soak for about 5 minutes or so and then check on its condition. References. Copper coins often turn a muddled brown color, and these marks can be cleaned off with salt and a mild acid like white vinegar. Its also an effective way to remove oxidation from copper and make sure that there are no stains left behind. This method and those that follow are going to be for everyday coins. WATER. After youve cleaned off any grime or other contaminants from your coins surface, its time for step two: cleaning out any crevices that could have collected dust or dirt over time. Let them air dry or wipe them with a soft, microfiber cloth. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. I go from light cleaning, to using soap and water, to using olive oil. Try not to rub the coin too much with your fingers or the dirt, silt, and other residue on the surface can damage the coin. If you want to go with something that is both inexpensive and likely already in your home, olive oil is the right choice. Safely storing your wheat pennies is critical for preserving and protecting them. One of the most recommended cleaning solutions for wheat pennies is white vinegar. When in doubt, refrain from cleaning anything older than those. If it doesnt work for you, or somehow has hurt or damaged the penny in your eyes, stop using this method and find one you feel is a bit better. That would be true if your plan was to only use vinegar to clean a corroded penny. If you don't have any vinegar on hand, a 1:1 ratio of water to acetone will produce the same effect. This website uses cookies to improve your experience, but you may opt out if you wish. 6 Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Soak coins in warm water mixed with liquid dish detergent to clean off light dirt and grime. One of the simplest ways to clean coins is by using distilled water and a soft towel. Hold it there for about 10 seconds, then pull it out. He has a hefty collection of wheat pennies that hes found with various techniques. A great way to clean coins without doing damage to them is using a bath of salt and isopropyl alcohol. Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. The advantage is it will not cause any decrease in numismatic value, but there are better options for cleaning materials. You can also opt for durable plastic holders, which can be square or round. Retrieve the coins from the vinegar and apply a few teaspoons of baking soda to each coin. Start adding your pennies into the solution, but dont throw everything inside at once. AspenCleans glass cleaner was voted Parents Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents magazine. Wed love to hear from our readers! Vinegar solutions are effective for removing dark spots on coins, but they also tend to make coins look a little dull. Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean pennies and other copper coins, as well as other metals. This detector works very well in areas with high soil mineralization. While you're grasping the coin firmly by its edges, use a clean toothbrush to lightly scrub the flat surfaces of the coin. Place your pennies at the bottom of the cup or glass so that they are not stacked on top of each other. Everyday change can be cleaned in just about any type of way. Rinse the coin very well under warm water. Use sparing amounts of oil to avoid damaging coins. To clean softer or more valuable coins, your best bet is to lightly rinse them in warm water, then pat them dry with a microfiber cloth. Then, rub a small amount of vegetable oil onto each side of the coin to loosen stubborn dirt. Please do not clean collector coins, I don not take responsibly of any damage done. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Before you begin cleaning, sort through the coins to determine which coins need the most work. Fill the bowl with enough lemon juice to cover the quarter. Dissolve 1 tsp (7 g) of table salt in a bowl with of white distilled vinegar. Stir together until the soap is sudsy, then add your coins to the bowl. Clean them off using distilled water and soap, using an old toothbrush to scour them clean. Other Ways To Clean Copper Coins Without Damaging Them 1. The aluminum foil is key to the reaction which removes the tarnish. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. They will, in fact, devalue. How do you remove green corrosion from copper coins? Its a very interesting question and a great DIY project. Water is one of the best and safest ways to clean your wheat pennies. Experts can always tell if a coin has been cleaned improperly. Vinegar and salt are the best methods of cleaning your pennies. After applying, give it a couple of minutes and then rinse using distilled water. 1 1/2 cups olive oil. This means distilled water. You may also have luck selling them online. Method 1 Using Simple Washing Download Article 1 Sort your coins. So, thinking about cleaning them is not wrong, and they can be cleaned in several ways. If youre having trouble getting rid of the tarnish on your copper penny, rubbing alcohol might be the trick you need. Pencil Eraser for Cleaning Pennies. The key is to ensure that you dont use anything super abrasive, especially on older coins. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. So here's how to clean a penny with vinegar: Get a small glass (or another kind of non-corrosive container) and fill it with some white vinegar - just enough to submerge a coin below the surface. Wait a few minutes, then check on the quarter. Mix in extra salt if you wish, but keep a close eye on the coins to avoid damaging them. 290K views 3 years ago In this video you will find a simple but very effective method of cleaning old coins. 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. 5 Ways to Clean Pennies - wikiHow The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. You can always put them on other websites like Facebook market, but you may not reach the intended audience with that forum. But if you simply want to clean the coins for non-commercial reasons (for example, you just want a bunch of cleaned pennies youve found to become part of your coin collection), the vinegar/lemon juice method will be good enough. Keep in mind that this is more of an abrasive than even the sand method and can do serious damage without the proper care. 1 How do you clean old copper coins without damaging them? For coins that dont have collectible value, you can use sand, olive oil, and even isopropyl alcohol to get the job done. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. I would not do any cleaning at all. This is a simple, inexpensive method that works well on pennies that arent too tarnished. Follow these steps to make your pennies completely clean: Step 1 Pour a small quantity of vinegar into a bowl. The concept is the same as white vinegar and salt. Once youve removed the coin from the coke, gently rinse it under cold running water. Over time, coins of all sorts can and will collect grime and gunk. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I know it sounds strange, but stay with me. Grab some past with your thumb and forefinger, rubbing it gently onto both sides of the penny. Even more importantly, understand how the condition impacts the value. Since we are also concerned about safety, it is important for you to know that the acidic substances that these rust removers contain could be harmful to your skin, so you should protect yourself with gloves and a mask when using them. Cleaning them can go wrong very quicklyand who wants to devalue their newly found treasure? Newer coins, such as relatively shiny pennies, tend to dull a little when washed in acid. Using a toothbrush or other soft-bristled brush, gently scrub the baking soda into each coin, especially on the corroded areas. Coins / February 17, 2021 by Walt / Leave a Comment. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly. Step 4: Add More Baking Soda & Hot Water. An easy way to clean copper pennies and coins to remove the build-up of grime is with soapy water and a little elbow grease. After brushing each penny, rinse with clean water and dry, it should be looking good as new by now. It is okay to stop at the fourth step, but if some of the pennies dont get clean after you use the paper towel to clean them, you can put them back into the solution and soak for an extra five minutes. Caution: blood plasma counts as a fluid. The best thing about using rubbing alcohol is that it will remove the tarnish from your copper coin without damaging its surface. But before you start your timer, make sure none of the pennies are touching themselves. Ketchup contains acid that can help remove copper stains. When you clean via any method, you are clearing off small parts of the penny surface along with the corrosion, so a slight change in the appearance of the pennies is actually inevitable. This article has been viewed 60,522 times. Rinse the baking soda off with fresh water. According to renowned numismatists, Ivory soap, and water is the safest way used in cleaning steel pennies. wheat pennies found can be worth a small fortune. Nearly all metal detectors will be able to find coins in the right conditions. As you can see, these materials are very cheap and easy to find anywhere. Garret ACE 300 Review There are various other methods to clean your pennies. There is something so magical and intriguing about looking through coins from the past. Steel pennies were abandoned the following year, and brass pennies were introduced. How to Clean Steel Pennies (6 Stupid-Simple Tips) - Metal Hunting Magazine Vinegar is most effective for cleaning copper. This eliminates the possibility of abrasions to your investment. No scrubbing necessary at all. If you do not rinse all the vinegar off your wheat pennies, they may turn green or bluish green. How To Clean Coins Without Devaluing Them [DIY Hack] - YouTube You may not see these changes with your naked eyes if you clean carefully, but they are there. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Put the coin in the bowl and slowly rub the coin with your finger from both sides. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). For many pennies, one tablespoon (15 g) of salt in 1/2 cup (4 oz) of vinegar will get the job done. If you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments below. Finally, take the pennies out and rinse them off using distilled water. Next, mix baking soda and water into a thick paste and rub this paste over the penny using your fingers. If you dont have vinegar, lemon juice should work just fine. The amount of vinegar used to clean the pennies depends on the number of coins you wish to clean. HCI works, but you get an orange look to the copper and still need to use your elbow grease to clean it. If they're extra dirty or if you're cleaning a lot simultaneously, give them a few more minutes for good measure. In terms of valuable wheat pennies, while it can range vastly depending on the pennys condition, here are some best case scenarios in terms of value for a select few: If you happen to have one of these in your wheat penny collection, consider yourself incredibly lucky! Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Ensure you rinse all the vinegar off the coin once it is cleaned. [5] The salt and vinegar in the ketchup will remove tarnish from the penny. Pat the coin dry. But we recommend the vinegar or lemon juice approach because the materials are safe for your skin, overall quite very effective, creates little to no mess, and the risk of damaging the pennies is fairly low. Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean coins? Use distilled water because chemicals in tap water may cause discoloration. Ketchup is composed of vinegar, salt, and tomatoes. If you dont have a brush available, leave the coins submerged in the ketchup for at least 5 minutes. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Should the oil start to look discolored, change it out. 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. Heat safe container. Wheat pennys face value is 1 cent, but every single one of them is worth more than face value, regardless of condition.