How to Clean Copper Coins in Seconds

Many coins are dirty and hard to read when they are found. It's sometimes necessary to clean your copper coins to reveal their natural luster. If done right, this cleaning can make them look like new. Follow the steps bellow to make your copper coins sparkle.

Instructions

1. Place 1 tsp. salt in a small container. You'll want to use more if you plan on cleaning a lot of copper coins.

2. Mix vinegar into the salt. Add enough to soak all of the salt.

3. Apply this mixture as a paste to scrub the copper coins. You can clean them with your fingers or a tooth or nail brush.

4. Soak badly stained copper coins overnight in the salt and vinegar solution. Check the coins every couple of hours to determine if they are ready.

5. Use a brass brush on copper coins you don't want to soak or scrub. Rub it gently in a circular motion.

6. Wet your copper coins and rub baking soda into them with a toothbrush. This is a good method to use when you're afraid of scratching the coins with a regular brush.

Tips & Warnings

• It is strongly recommended by most coin collectors that you never clean a coin that may be worth money. Coin dealers prefer to purchase coins in their natural state, and cleaning may actually decrease the value of your copper coins.

• The salt and vinegar mix is actually a mild acid, and may damage delicate coins.