How to Clean Silver Coins

It's a good thing you searched for "how to clean silver coins" before you got started. If you have valuable silver coins, you actually shouldn't clean them at all. While silver coins can tarnish or pick up dirt, minerals or other residue, they are often best left as is. In fact, some rare coin collectors prefer the authentic look of a little wear and tear. If in doubt, talk to an expert to see if your coins are valuable. If you have "junk silver" coins (circulated 90% silver coins whose only value is in their bullion content), cleaning those is generally okay. Here's how to clean silver coins.

Things You'll Need

• soft toothbrush
• warm distilled water
• towel

Instructions

1. 

   Prepare a bucket or shallow dish with warm, soapy distilled water.

2. 

   Use a soft toothbrush to remove loose dirt.

3. 

   Rinse coins gently in water.

4. 

   Dry coins with soft towel.

Tips & Warnings

• That's how to clean silver coins ... but remember, leave the valuable coins to the professionals.

• Don't rub coins.

• Don't polish tarnished coins.

• Don't clean collectible coins as you may reduce the value by 50% or more.

Resources

• A Buyer's Guide to Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States
• The Expert's Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins: Secrets Of Success
• 2008 Silver American Eagles - Brilliant Uncirculated
• Coin Chemistry (The good, the bad and the ugly about cleaning coins)