How to Clean Silver Coins Without Chemicals

Coin collecting is a hobby that is enthusiastically enjoyed by many around the world. This is particularly true of rare and/or ancient coins that provide us with a direct link to a distant past. These coins will often require cleaning of some kind—especially when they’ve been found rather than purchased. Although older coins may have been crafted from tin, copper, nickel, bronze, gold and other metals, this article will focus on nonchemical ways to gently clean silver ones. Because of their age, early coins tend to be fragile and easily damaged by harsh cleansers and solvents. Nonchemical methods will require delicate handling and patience because the cleaning process may have to be repeated over time in order to see results. The method you choose will depend upon the amount of encrusted debris or foreign material obscuring the surface of your coins. Coin dealers, collectors, or enthusiasts, known as numismatists, use the following methods when they need to be unusually careful to avoid damaging these relics of history.

Things You'll Need

• 2 or 3 soft-bristled toothbrushes
• Distilled water
• Mild liquid dishwashing soap
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Wooden toothpicks
• Bowls or containers to hold coins during cleaning
• Lint-free soft cloths

Instructions

Clean Silver Coins Without Chemicals

1. Place enough distilled water into a bowl to cover the coin(s). Leave the coin(s) submerged for at least 24 hours. Remove the coin(s) and scrub gently with a toothbrush until clean. Repeat until you obtain the desired results. Distilled water is devoid of minerals. Coins often develop mineralized deposits that can be dissolved by the distilled water. Change the water daily until your coins can be scrubbed clean.

2. Pour slightly warm distilled water into a bowl to a depth of about 1 inch. Add several drops of a mild dishwashing liquid and stir to dissolve. Add your coin(s) to the bowl. Massage the coins under water with your hands and scrub them with a soft toothbrush gently but thoroughly. Allow the coins to remain in the water for two or three hours before scrubbing them again. Repeat as needed. Mild soap breaks down surface soil and lifts it away from the metal. This method is more effective than distilled water alone.

3. Use olive oil to remove tougher dirt over time. Pour olive oil into a dry container and soak your coins for up to 180 days or longer. Check on the coins at least once a month and change the oil if it becomes discolored (a sign that impurities are being removed). Each month the coins will get cleaner. When you are pleased with the results, place the coins in warm, soapy distilled water and clean them with a toothbrush as described above. Rinse them and pat them dry.

4. Use toothpicks after any of the above methods of cleaning to loosen embedded or stubborn dirt. Work from the outside edge of the coin toward the center and use firm but gentle strokes to remove debris. Follow this by scrubbing the coin with a toothbrush moistened with water (either with or without soap). Rinse the coin and pat dry with a clean lint-free cloth.

5. Pour vinegar over coins placed in a container. Permit the coins to remain in the vinegar for 30 to 60 minutes before brushing them lightly with a toothbrush. Alternatively, try making a paste with a tablespoon of baking soda and 3-5 drops of vinegar. Use this paste to rub onto the coin before scrubbing. For very dirty coins, this paste can be left on overnight. The next morning, place the coins into a bowl of distilled water and scrub them clean.

Tips & Warnings

• Use care when handling toothpicks to clean coins. In addition to having sharp points that could cause injury if mishandled, they can permanently mar the surface of very old coins. One way to avoid this is to soak the toothpicks for five minutes in water. This is just long enough to make the wood more pliable, but not so long that the toothpick is rendered useless as a cleaning tool.

Resources

• Discover other ways to clean coins by following this link.
• Click here to learn more about coins and coin collecting from The Professional Numismatists Guild.