How to Clean Coins That Have Oxidized

An example of oxidation

After prolonged exposure to molecules in the air, coins have a tendency to become coated in a white or green layer of oxidation. Removing this oxidation requires acidic solutions, such as lemon juice, vinegar or sour milk. While there are more powerful liquid cleaners used by experienced coin collectors, the following procedure might be all you need to restore the shine to your oxidized coins.

Things You'll Need

• Small bowls
• Vinegar
• Microwave
• Salt
• Spoon
• Paper towels
• Lemon juice

Instructions

1. Fill a small bowl halfway with clear vinegar.

2. Place the bowl in your microwave and warm the vinegar for four to five seconds.

3. Add a few teaspoons of salt to the vinegar and stir with a spoon until the salt is completely dissolved. Vinegar and salt combine chemically to create hydrochloric acid.

4. Drop your oxidized coins into the solution. Swirl the mixture around the coins every 30 minutes or so and flip the coins every hour.

5. Remove the coins after four or five hours and place them on a wad of paper towels for drying. Repeat the procedure as many times as you like with a new batch of vinegar/salt solution.

Tips & Warnings

• Use lemon juice as an alternative. In both cases, the acid eats away the oxidation from the coins, leaving a sheen behind.

• Do not leave your coins in the vinegar/salt bath for more than 48 hours or the acid produced will begin eating away at the metal.

References

• Utah Educational Network: Clean Pennies
• Silver Coins: Cleaning Silver Coins

Resources

• My Coin Collecting: Cleaning Old Coins