How to Make Old Coins Look New

It is never advisable to clean or polish old coins. If the coins are valuable, cleaning them will greatly reduce their value. This being said, if you still want to shine up some old coins that you are sure aren't worth much and make them look new, you can use these techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Good light
• Magnifying glass
• Coin price book
• Vinegar
• Tooth pick
• Dental tool
• Soft lint free cloth
• Soft bristled toothbrush
• Running water
• Professional coin polish

Instructions

1. Verify in a coin price book that your coin is not valuable. Use a magnifying glass and a good light to determine the mint mark and date.

2. Hold the coin by the edges and wash it under high pressure with cold water from the faucet. Do this for a couple of minutes.

3. Soak copper coins in white vinegar for about five minutes. Silver coins do best in a lemon juice soak. Rinse the coins well under the faucet.

4. Lightly brush the coin with a very soft toothbrush if dirt or stains remain. Do not apply much pressure and rinse the coin often so that loosened dirt does not further scratch the surface.

5. If encrusted dirt still remains, use a small toothpick or dental tool to carefully pick or pry off dirt. Take care not to damage the surface.

6. Buy a specially formulated "dip" or coin polish from a reputable coin collector or dealer. Some coin dealers use a ultrasonic tank, which uses sound waves in a water bath to clean the coins. Ask for the dealer's expert opinion if you are unsure whether you should clean a coin.

7. Dry the coins thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth. This will also add shine to the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not mix types of coins when soaking. Copper will cause other coins to discolor.

• A soft vinyl eraser is worth a try but "regular" erasers sometimes contain abrasive particles.

• A coin's thin layer of patina actually helps to protect the surface of the coin.

• Do not use household cleaners.

• Be careful when cleaning coins from the 18th century or older. Some of the substances the coins were made from may dissolve when immersed in water, vinegar or professional coin cleansers.