Interest in numismatics these days is showing an increasing number of people. The hunt for rare coins is gaining momentum. Unfortunately, almost any metal is susceptible to oxidation, which negatively affects the appearance of the product. Cleaning coins is the only way to deal with this problem. The tips in this article will help you do it quickly and efficiently.
Coin Cleaning: General Recommendations
There are a large number of techniques that can be used to remove contaminants. Cleaning coins at home is a task that anyone can handle. Be sure to consider the recommendations below.
- The cleaning method must be chosen depending on what alloy the affected specimen is made of. Otherwise, there is a danger of permanently ruining the coin, rather than saving it.
- It is advisable to refuse products containing abrasive particles. There is a high probability that their use will lead toscratches on the surface of the coin.
- Cleaning coins with concentrated acids is also not welcome. First of all, this applies to copies made of copper.
- Removing the patina can lead to a decrease in the value of the coin. For some products, it serves as a decoration.
- It is advisable to check the selected remedy before the procedure. Experiments can be done on products made from similar material.
Silver
How to restore the original beauty of silver coins? Cleaning with a solution of ammonia and baking soda is an excellent choice.
- Dissolve two tablespoons of baking soda in a glass of hot water. You can also add a few drops of dishwashing detergent. The product is placed in the resulting mixture for approximately eight hours. The coin is then thoroughly washed and dried.
- In a glass of hot water, add 30 ml of hydrogen peroxide and a teaspoon of ammonia. The affected specimen in this solution must be kept for about 15 minutes. The mixture is then diluted and drained until the silver is in clear water. Next, the coin is thoroughly washed, wiped with a soft cloth.
If the choice is made in favor of the second method, you must be very careful. The coin must be turned over without removing it from the liquid. There is a possibility that an oxidation process will occur in air. In this case, the metal will be damaged.
Copper
How to clean copper coins at home? Theseproducts are famous for their capriciousness, so it is necessary to return them to their original beauty with care.
- Vaseline oil. The affected specimen must be boiled in it until the pollution disappears. The final part of the work is washing the coin in alcohol and drying it with a soft cloth.
- Hydrogen peroxide. This tool will help restore the lost shine to the product. Dissolve 30 ml of peroxide in 200 ml of water, and then add a teaspoon of ammonia. The coin should be kept in this mixture for no more than 15 minutes.
- Soap with a neutral environment (household, baby). It must be grated on a coarse grater. The resulting porridge should be coated with a damaged copy on both sides. In this form, the product will have to be left for a long time, which is the main drawback of this gentle method of cleaning copper coins. From time to time it is necessary to remove the specimen and clean it under running water with a soft brush. This will remove softened contaminants. The procedure continues until the desired result is achieved.
Bimetallic
When creating some coins, for example, anniversary copies, two different metals are used. The central part is made of silver or steel, and gold, copper or various alloys are used for edging. How to clean such a product?
- Dishwashing liquid. You can use, for example, "Fairy". Dissolve one in a liter of watera tablespoon of the product, mix thoroughly. The coins are kept in the liquid for about an hour, then removed and wiped with a flannel cloth. Dishwashing detergent works great when dealing with minor stains.
- Toothpaste. It is necessary to apply a pea of ordinary paste on a brush with soft bristles. Rub the affected specimen carefully, strong pressure is not required. Cleaning of coins ends with rinsing in water.
- Pasta GOI. This tool includes fine abrasive particles, which allows it to effectively deal with dirt and oxides. It is worth using paste only for inexpensive coins, as there is still a risk of damaging the product.
- Formic acid. This product will help restore the original shine to the specimen. It is necessary to lower the coin that needs cleaning into a 14% solution for about five minutes, and then polish it. Instead of formic acid, alcohol is allowed.
Melchior
Melchior is also able to oxidize and blacken, has a composition similar to noble metals. For cleaning coins at home, the methods discussed below are suitable.
- Ashes. With it, you can quickly and effectively rid the product of patina. The affected specimen is dipped in water, then cigarette ash is applied to it. After about 20 minutes, the coin must be rinsed.
- Dishwashing powder. This tool is applied to the product after wetting it with water. It is necessary to sponge the surface of the damaged specimen and waitsome time. Then the coin is washed in water.
Brass
Which one should I use to clean coins made from copper-zinc alloy? Such money is not particularly susceptible to corrosion, however, it still needs to be cleaned from time to time.
- Oxalic acid. This product can be purchased at the store. With its help, it is easy to remove plaque, it shows good results even in the fight against chronic pollution. Coins should be immersed in acid for about ten minutes. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the money with water after cleaning.
- Trilon-B. This product must be dissolved in pure water, observing the proportion of 1 to 10. Then the coin is lowered into the resulting solution. She shouldn't be in it all the time. From time to time, the specimen must be washed in running water and inspected. Soaking is repeated until the desired result is achieved.
- Other means. What other ways to clean coins made of copper-zinc alloy are there? Citric acid, Coca-Cola, thick soapy water will help restore products to their original beauty.
Aluminum bronze
Which tools to give preference in this case? Copies of this material can be cleaned in the same ways that are suitable for copper coins. There are other effective methods.
- Coca-Cola. This popular drink is not only drinkable, it has also gained a reputation as a good stain remover. The main disadvantage of this method is the longwaiting for the result. Coins will have to be kept in a glass of Coca-Cola for about a week. Then they must be rinsed with clean water.
- Plumbing cleaner. The affected specimen must be lowered into such a solution for no more than a couple of minutes. Then it is cleaned with running water.
Commemorative coins of the USSR
There are specimens that need special care. For example, how to return the lost attractiveness to commemorative coins of the USSR at home? Cleaning in this case is done using an ordinary eraser. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the pattern.
The rubber band should be rubbed on a dry surface until the plaque disappears. This method is suitable for adding shine to any alloy products.
Universal remedy
What methods are suitable for bringing any coins back to normal? There is a universal remedy, which contains several ingredients. It will help to cope with rust, green deposits and other oxides.
- It is necessary to mix 25 ml of soda and soap solution. 25 ml of ammonia, 75 ml of toothpaste are added to the resulting mixture.
- It is necessary to immerse all specimens that need cleaning into the finished product. There they remain until the goal is reached. Periodically, coins should be removed, rubbed with a toothbrush and inspected. At the end of the procedure, they are washed with water.
Electrolysis
Working with electrical appliances requires knowledge of safety. Also, we must not forget that their use significantly increases the likelihood of damage to copies. Cleaning of coins by electrolysis is carried out in a well-ventilated and illuminated room. Make sure to protect your hands and eyes.
- You need to prepare a power supply with a voltage of 6-12 V. Next, the plugs are cut off, the wires are cut into two parts. Then you should clean the ends and attach copper wires to the clamps.
- The plastic container is filled with brine. It's easy to make by adding a tablespoon of s alt to a liter of water.
- The power supply is connected to the network, the clamps are lowered into the resulting solution. The “+” clip should be connected to the coin, on which hissing will be heard. The whole procedure will take no more than ten minutes.
Vinegar
What other methods can be used? Vinegar is a tool that is suitable for bringing inexpensive specimens into proper shape. It must be remembered that the solution can corrode the surface of the product, change its color. In addition, it is believed that after such a procedure, the coin will deteriorate faster.
- An instance that needs cleaning can be lowered for a day in a solution of 10% vinegar. This is the easiest way.
- You can also make a mixture of vinegar and s alt. Approximately 5 g of s alt must be mixed with a quarter tablespoon of vinegar. You need to stir the mixture until the s alt dissolves. Then in the resulting solution are loweredcoins. This must be done so that the instances lie separately from each other. Products are soaked in the solution for no more than five minutes. If the dirt remains, you can additionally brush them. Next, the specimens should be gently rinsed in running water.
Cleaning coins with vinegar is a dangerous choice. Its use may adversely affect the appearance and condition of products made of silver, copper, aluminum, lead.
Machining
What other options are available? Mechanical cleaning of coins is used to remove surface deposits. We can talk about sand, earth, individual tubercles of corrosion. For the procedure, various brushes are needed (brass, bristle, glass fiber). You will also need dental burs of different sizes, scalpels. These devices must be used with the utmost care. If used improperly, there is a risk of scratches that will distort images, inscriptions, and so on.
- A damaged copy must be kept for about an hour in distilled water. This is necessary in order to des alt the product, get rid of dried dirt.
- Followed by the impregnation of the coin with synthetic resin. This is required to strengthen the noble patina, to prevent damage.
- Then you can proceed directly to cleaning the instruments. This work is very painstaking and lengthy, it will require a huge supply of patience. Some copies of the master can be cleaned within a month or two.
Mechanical cleaning is a method that is more suitable for professionals. Amateurs run the risk of hopelessly spoiling the coin. Therefore, it is recommended to develop appropriate skills on copies that are not of particular value.
