How to Clean Stained Silver Coins

The "Peace Dollar," not minted since 1965, was the last silver dollar minted for the United States.

People who like to display the silver coins they have collected often attempt to clean the coins to remove any unsightly stains that interfere with the original appearance of the coin. While stains can be removed, it's important that you approach cleaning in such a way that you do the least amount of damage possible to the surface of the coin. In many instances, cleaning will devalue a silver coin that is currently worth more than its face value.

Things You'll Need

• Soft toothbrush
• 2 small containers
• Warm water
• Mild liquid soap
• 2 soft cloths
• Silver cream
• 1 cup of white vinegar
• 1 tbsp. table salt
• Spoon

Instructions

Soap and Polish

1. Fill a small container with warm water and add two to three drops of mild liquid soap. Agitate the water with your fingers to form bubbles.

2. Dip the bristles of a soft toothbrush into the water to wet them. Scrub the coin with the wet toothbrush to remove dirt and grime.

3. Dry the coin with a soft cloth.

4. Dip a section of a soft cloth into a tub of silver polishing cream or squeeze a pencil eraser-sized amount into the cloth.

5. Rub the coin with the silver polish to remove tarnish and staining. Buff with a clean section of the cloth.

Salt and Vinegar

1. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 tbsp. of table salt into a small container. Stir with a spoon to mix the vinegar and salt together.

2. Place the coins in the vinegar and salt mixture and soak for 12 to 24 hours. Change out the solution if it becomes dirty or soiled.

3. Rinse the coins under warm, running water and dry with a soft cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use the least abrasive method when cleaning coins to avoid damage to the surface.

• Never use harsh cleaners or muriatic acid to clean silver coins. It can damage them beyond repair.

• Clean silver coins at your own risk. If in doubt about devaluing a coin, ask a professional coin collector for advice before cleaning.

References

• Treasure Quest: Coin Cleaning
• Peace Silver Dollar: Peace Silver Dollar Information