How to clean copper coins from oxide

Methods and rules for cleaning copper coins at home

One of the problems in numismatics is how to preserve the appearance of your collection, so that rare, hard-obtained items will please the eye for a long time. All coins, regardless of whether they are made of precious metals, copper, aluminum or nickel, require cleaning. You can carry out such an event at home yourself. Rules for removing corrosion, oxides, and grease depend primarily on the alloy from which the coin is made. Let's figure out how to clean a copper coin at home.

Copper coins

Before starting the cleaning itself, you need to carefully study all its aspects. After all, if carried out incorrectly, it may not only not return the original appearance, but also damage the product. One of the harmful layers on a copper coin is the layer of green copper, or verdigris. This is a layer of copper acetate oxide that appears on the coin under the influence of acetic acid vapor when interacting with oxygen.

Cleaning Copper Coins

The easiest way is to treat the coin with a 5-10% acetic acid solution. Table vinegar is also suitable for these purposes. Depending on their initial condition, coins can remain in solution from several minutes to several hours. Periodically they need to be removed, turned over and wiped.

Acetic acid

Another way to give copper coins their original appearance is to treat them with a solution of laundry soap. In order to prepare such a solution, soap shavings are poured with boiling water. You can use a plastic container to prepare this product.

When dissolved, the soap should turn into a jelly-like substance. The coins must be placed there for two days. Then take a soft brush and rinse thoroughly under water, and finally dry. Some oxides may not be removed immediately, but this procedure is considered gentle and can be repeated as many times as you like.

There is a faster way. To do this, add soda dissolved in water to the soap solution. Afterwards, rinse the coin so that no marks remain on it.

If it is necessary to clean a coin from a layer of oxides, it is best to use slow-acting copper cleaners. One of these is Trilon B.

You can prepare a solution of citric acid. Take 30 grams of powder per 70 milliliters of water. Most often, citric acid is sold in 10 gram bags, so three such bags are needed.

When the coin is dipped into this solution, a reaction begins and will continue until the patina is completely gone, approximately 5-10 minutes. Next, the coin is removed clean, without damage, since citric acid is too weak for this.

It happens that this time is not enough, then you can add more acid or remove the coin from time to time and wipe it with a brush.

For copper coins, the method of boiling in Vaseline oil is also sometimes used. You need to boil until the coin is completely clean, and then wipe it with alcohol.

For coins in very poor condition, a solution of sodium hydroxide, or caustic soda, is used. The solution is prepared in cold water. First take a low concentration, then increase it. Place the product for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Cilit, a cleaning agent designed to remove rust, is well suited for cleaning copper coins. To clean the product with it, apply it to the metal surface and wipe with a sponge. Then rinse with water.

You can also use an ordinary lemon; to do this, you need to cut it in half and place a coin there for a quarter of an hour. Then take it out and clean it with a brush. Rinse well in water and wipe dry.

Prepare this cleanser: mix salt with flour and add a drop of vinegar. The coin is rubbed with this product and left there for a while. It must be washed in running water.

Copper can be cleaned well when boiled in vinegar. To do this, acetic acid is added to boiling water; the concentration should be less than 25%. Additionally, add two tablespoons of salt and place a coin there. Once the solution has cooled, remove it and clean it with a soft brush. If the coins touch each other during cleaning, the area where they touch may remain uncleaned. Be careful when working with acid so as not to be poisoned by its fumes.

You can use tooth powder or whitening paste to clean coins. Rub the product, the movements should be active. Wipe the coins and evaluate whether they are sufficiently cleaned; if plaque remains, it is recommended to repeat the procedure.

Cleaning copper coins in soapy water

Ammonia also works well on verdigris and blackheads. Ammonia will react with the compounds that give such plaque, after which they can be washed off with a soap solution.

A white coating may appear on coins that contain zinc in the alloy. To clean such a coin, you can simply take distilled water and keep the coin in it for several days.

You can use a jewelry cleaner or take the coin to a jewelry workshop, where, using a specialized cleaner for copper coins, they will do an excellent job of removing any type of plaque.

It is not always necessary to clean copper products. In addition to corrosion and grease, they can develop a patina. Patina is a layer of oxides that is formed under the influence of oxygen, salts, acids and carbon. The patina is considered beautiful and valuable, it gives the coin a noble appearance and can have different colors, from brown to greenish-black.

If the product is covered with a uniform layer of patina, then it is not recommended to clean it, as it may lose its value.

How can you clean copper coins?

To prevent the coin from losing its appearance and the design from being erased, you should not clean copper coins at home:

• Abrasive powders and tools: such exposure can damage the patina and leave behind traces of damage. This could be household chemicals, sandpaper, a wire brush, or a stiff bristle brush.
• Use concentrates of acetic, hydrochloric, sulfuric or nitric acids: the embossing pattern may be damaged.
• You should also not use a ferric chloride solution. Ferric chloride is a salt used to etch circuit boards; it reacts, literally corroding the copper.
• Expose copper coins to high temperatures. The metal can not only melt, but also lose its structure after cooling and begin to crumble.

Drying coins

It is imperative to dry cleaned coins. If this is not done, they will oxidize and their appearance will deteriorate.

You can do this this way: after washing, place the coins on a paper towel folded several times and blot. You can wipe the products with a cloth, but it is very important that it does not leave marks. Cotton fabric is best.

They also use a drying cabinet, but it is very important to remember that the temperature should be low, no more than 100 degrees.

Cleaned coins look unnatural because they have no patina. Over time, it appears, although it may lie unevenly. There is a way to avoid this: after cleaning, the coin can be aged.

To do this, you need a substance used in photo laboratories - hyposulfite. The coin is dipped in a 10% solution for 10–15 minutes, after which it is taken out and wiped dry. A nickel-copper coin can be opened with varnish for safety. Another option is to lubricate the coin with alcohol and petroleum jelly, which will also protect it from further exposure.

How to store coins after cleaning?

To ensure that coins remain free of oxidation and do not require frequent cleaning, they must be stored properly. They should be in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight. There are several storage methods that collectors usually use:

• Special albums with plastic pockets containing coins.
• Cardboard tablets with round slots for coins.
• Glass pencil cases. In such a pencil case you can not only store, but also view valuable coins without taking them out.

Frequently touching coins exposes them to bad influences, so you need to grab them by the edge. If you still had to take them outside the field, you should immediately rinse them with warm water and dry them.

By following all the rules for cleaning and storing copper coins, you can be sure that the most valuable pieces of your collection will delight you with their appearance for a long time. Do not forget that copper is not a very hard metal and must be handled with care.

Source: https://DedPodaril.com/numizmatika/chem-pochistit-mednuyu-monetu-doma.html

How to clean a copper coin - the best methods of numismatists

People involved in collecting or treasure hunting must know effective methods to deal with various contaminants. There are a number of proven methods on how to clean a copper coin at home without much effort and financial expense.

How to clean a copper coin at home?

Ancient coins made from copper are rare and valuable to collectors and numismatists. Over time, a patina forms on them, which gives the product nobility and is valued by specialists. Almost all of the methods presented below remove it, so the products have an unsightly appearance. When figuring out how to clean a copper coin at home, it is worth mentioning the method of applying an artificial patina:

1. Dissolve 25 g of copper sulfate and 2.5 g of potassium permanganate in 0.5 liters of water.
2. Heat the prepared solution to a temperature of 80-90°C. Send the coins there and turn them over periodically to monitor the result.
3. After this, dry the products and cover them with a protective coating, for example, a mixture of alcohol and benzene. Take the ingredients in equal proportions.

How to clean a copper coin from green deposits?

When interacting with oxygen, the surface of the products becomes covered with a green coating, which spoils the appearance. There are several ways to clean oxide from a copper coin:

1. The most unusual cleaning method, but no less effective, involves the use of kefir. Soak the coins in fermented milk drink for several hours. After this, rinse them in plain water. If the stains are severe, they cannot be removed using this method.
2. A safe and gentle method of exposure is a soap solution. Take laundry or baby soap, which must be crushed and pour boiling water. Place the products in a thick solution and leave them for several hours. If necessary, carry out this procedure several times.
3. Another way to clean a copper coin is based on the use of ammonia. It is necessary to immerse the products in it for half a minute, and then clean them with a brush. Repeat until the desired result is achieved.

How to clean rust from a copper coin?

Another common problem, but it can also be dealt with using techniques that have been proven by more than one numismatist. If you are interested in how to clean a copper coin from rust, then use the following products:

1. Trilon-B, a mixture designed for cleaning copper, gives good results. This product can be purchased at a jewelry store. Using non-metallic tweezers, soak the coins in the solution for 10-15 minutes. After that, take them out, rinse and dry. If all contaminants have not been removed, then you can carry out the procedure 2-3 more times.
2. You can clean your coin with the popular carbonated drink Coca-Cola. Pour it into a glass container and place the products there. To clean them of black plaque, you need to leave everything for a week. To speed up the reaction, place a container with soaked coins next to a heat source.

How to remove blackness from a copper coin?

In order to remove unsightly black plaque, it is best to use products that include several components, which ensure excellent results. When figuring out how to clean an antique copper coin, pay attention to these recipes:

1. Mix kerosene and chalk. Apply the resulting slurry to the products and rub until dirt is removed and shine appears.
2. Another method to easily clean a copper coin is to use a mixture of oxalic acid, turpentine and ethyl alcohol. Mix the ingredients in equal proportions. Using a wet cloth, apply the prepared product and rub thoroughly.

To remove dirt and add a beautiful shine, you don’t need to buy expensive products, since many people have effective products at home. There are several most popular options for cleaning copper coins until they shine:

1. A common method for removing contaminants is electrolysis. Pour water into a glass container and add soda, taking into account the proportion that there should be 2 tbsp per 1 liter. spoons. Using a clamp, connect the negative wire to the coin, and the positive wire to the graphite element. Dip the element into the solution and turn everything on. The electrolysis process will last 30-60 minutes.
2. Coins can be cleaned with GOI paste, which contains small abrasive particles, and they cope well with dirt and oxides. Use this method only on inexpensive coins.
3. Another way to clean a copper coin at home involves using oil. Pour it into the pan in such a volume that the level is 2-3 cm, and put it on fire. Boil and drop the coins into it, but do it carefully as the oil will splatter. Leave for 10-15 minutes.

How to clean copper coins with citric acid?

This product is effective and will help restore the coin to its original appearance, but it is worth considering that the acid can remove the patina, which reduces the value of the item. If you are wondering how to clean an antique copper coin with citric acid, then first dissolve the powder in water and, using tweezers, place the item in the solution for just a few seconds. After that, take it out and rinse.

Can copper coins be cleaned with sulfuric acid?

Sulfuric acid is aggressive in its action, so you only need to use a weak solution of 5%, and it is better to replace it with a more gentle 10% solution of formic acid, which should be heated to 70°C.

This product perfectly softens and removes oxides and carbon dioxide compounds. It should be borne in mind that this method is not suitable for valuable coins, since it removes the patina that is valuable to collectors.

There is another option for cleaning copper coins until they shine, which involves using acetic acid.

1. Take a 7-20% vinegar solution and immerse the products in it for 15 minutes.
2. After this, to clean the coin, you need to treat the surface with a toothbrush and rinse it with warm water.

How to clean copper coins with baking soda?

To remove contaminants, you can use a paste of soda and water, but there is another option - cooking in a soda solution. There are a number of features on how to clean royal copper coins and other products made from this metal:

1. Put 3-5 tbsp in half a liter of water. spoons of soda and stir thoroughly until completely dissolved.
2. Dip coins into the liquid, but do not put too many at once. It is important that they are covered with water by at least 2 cm and do not lie on top of each other.
3. Place on the stove and cook for half an hour on low heat.
4. After that, take out the coins and clean them with a toothbrush. There is no need to apply force to avoid damaging the surface.

Source: https://womanadvice.ru/kak-ochistit-mednuyu-monetu-luchshie-metody-numizmatov

How to clean coins from rust and oxidation at home?

You can find many stale artifacts at home, so today we are telling you how to clean coins. You can get rid of rust and oxidation on your own at home. But before that, you need to choose a method taking into account the material. Then you will return the coins to their original appearance and, perhaps, you will be able to sell them for an acceptable price.

Ways to clean copper coins from rust and oxidation

The following methods are designed to eliminate blackening, greening and oxidation.

No. 1. Soap shavings with water

Pass a third of a bar of household soap through a grater and combine with 500 ml. hot water. Dip the artifacts into the solution and time it for a quarter of an hour. After a specified period of time, the plaque will peel off; all that remains is to completely rinse the coins with a sponge.

No. 2. Lemon

Drill the citrus in half. Insert the products directly into the soft part and wait a third of an hour. Then remove, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse and dry.

No. 3. Vinegar

Protect your skin with gloves. Start clearing the coins one by one. Place each of them in your palm, pour vinegar over them and rub with your fingers. Finally, don’t forget to rinse your items. As a second option, you can take ammonia.

No. 4. Salt/soda

Since there is a simple way to clean coins from rust and oxidation, we recommend using it. At home, everyone has soda or salt. Measure out 2 tbsp. l., combine with 200 ml. hot water. Soak the artifacts in the solution, after half an hour, rub and rinse.

No. 5. "Coca Cola"

Cleaning is carried out similarly to the previous method. It is enough to immerse the artifacts in soda for 20-25 minutes. After a specified period of time, clean with a sponge and do not forget to rinse the coins.

No. 6. Lemon acid

You can remove severe rust with a solution of lemon juice. At 0.4 l. water is about 20 grams. acids. After the granules have dissolved, place the coins inside and time a third of an hour. Wipe with a sponge and rinse.

Ways to Clean Silver Coins

Cleaning methods depend on the sample and the extent of the damage, so proceed according to the situation.

1. If the silver is old and of the highest standard, then the blackness can be removed with ammonia. Mix it with water in a ratio of 1 to 10, soak the products for an hour.

2. If there is no alcohol, use soda (per 150 grams there is 0.5 liters of water). Immerse the coins in the warm mixture for 3 hours.

3. You can also clean it with ammonia, tooth powder/paste and soda. Combine the components in equal proportions. Apply to coins and use a brush. After all actions, rinse and dry.

4. If the exhibits are of low standard, then you will have to arm yourself with a special type of salt called “Trilon B”. Measure out 20 g, mix with 0.25 l. warm water and send the coins inside. Cleaning is carried out after the plaque has peeled off.

Important!

Since coins can be cleaned with special means that remove not only rust and oxidation, but also blackness, we advise you to buy the product and use it at home. The product is selected taking into account the silver standard.

Methods for cleaning coins from blackness

Patina is a kind of coating that forms on copper coins after prolonged contact with air. There are several ways to remove blackness, and we’ll look at them.

1. Prepare a highly concentrated solution from soap shavings and warm it up a little. Dampen cosmetic sponges and rub the exhibits.

2. You can also clean it with ammonia. Wear gloves, place the products on your palm and wipe with a disk soaked in ammonia.

3. If the blackness is so strong that nothing helps, act differently. Combine turpentine, water, rubbing alcohol and oxalic acid. Wipe the exhibits with a dampened cotton wool until they shine.

Methods for cleaning coins from green plaque

Before you clean coins from rust and oxidation, consider effective methods. At home, they will help make the task much easier.

1. For safe cleaning, use a solution of water and 9% vinegar. For 1 l. distilled water accounts for 60 ml. vinegar. Then the coins are placed in the solution so that their surfaces do not come into contact with each other or with the walls of the container.

2. The surface of the coins must be completely exposed to the acid. This will ensure a uniform chemical reaction. To avoid stains, do not place many coins in a small container.

3. Monitor the process carefully. From time to time, remove the layers that will form during the chemical reaction. Actions are carried out several times a day. To do this, remove the coins from the solution.

4. For convenience, use a toothbrush. Don't overdo it, or you'll end up with red spots on the coins. It will not be possible to get rid of them without mechanical intervention. The method will help eliminate dirt stains and oxidation.

Methods for cleaning bimetallic coins

Before cleaning coins from rust and oxidation, it is worth mentioning that each alloy needs individual cleaning. Before carrying out the procedure at home, it is important to evaluate the quality of the metal.

1. Often one side of the coin needs to be cleaned with an anti-corrosion compound; the reverse side may not be damaged. Therefore, during classical cleaning with acidic compounds, pure metal can deteriorate. Fading and discoloration appear.

2. Therefore, cleaning such coins at home does not guarantee the desired result, but improving the appearance of the metal can still be achieved. To do this, prepare a solution of 250 ml. hot water and 50 gr. table soda.

3. Place a coin in the composition for a third of an hour. The metal should not come into contact with anything. Next, take out the product and start brushing with toothpaste without any additives. Tooth powder will do.

4. When using the powder, manipulations should be carried out with extreme caution. Small particles often leave micro-scratches. If after the procedure you are not satisfied with the result, use a different chemical composition.

5. Purchase a special product to remove corrosion and plaque. Spread the gel over the surface and start rubbing with a soft cloth. If stains cannot be removed, use a coarse brush instead of a rag. If the procedure is carried out correctly, the metal will shine.

Ways to Clean Zinc Coins

How to clean zinc coins not only from rust and oxidation, but also from other deposits? The process is quite labor intensive. Therefore, at home you will have to work with hydrochloric acid.

1. Please note that it is strongly not recommended to leave the product unattended in such a liquid. Literally every few seconds you need to check the condition of the coin. You will see the patina come off. Next, the acid will take on the metal.

2. To make the procedure as effective as possible, arm yourself with a wide container. This is necessary so that you can keep the product in the solution and at the same time clean it with a brush. You will need a 1% hydrochloric acid solution. The composition does not harm human skin.

3. Once you have completed all the steps, rinse the metal with running water under strong pressure. This will get rid of any remaining acid. Remember that the procedure is labor-intensive, but the end result will please you.

Cleaning antiques is a labor-intensive task. If you find a decent example and can restore it, you can make some good money at auction. In any case, try it and do not forget that each metal needs an individual approach.

Source: https://more-vsego.net/kak-ochistit-monety-ot-rzhavchiny-i-okislenija-v-domashnih-uslovijah.html

How to clean a copper coin at home from plaque, oxide and greenery

How to clean a copper coin. Cleaning copper coins at home is quite simple if done correctly. This need arises from time to time for every metal, since it can oxidize and become coated.

The older the product, the more susceptible it is to damage. If you know what to clean and how, then you can do it yourself without using the services of specialists. The methods are very simple and involve the use of improvised things that are found in almost every home.

So, how to properly clean copper coins at home?

Preparing for cleaning

Every metal has the property of oxidizing and becoming covered with a green coating. Oxidation is sometimes confused with regular old, stagnant dirt. Therefore, first you need to check this option, try washing it with plain water, you can use a toothbrush or a rag for this. If this fails, then you need to clean the coin from green plaque and oxide in other ways.

At this stage, the main thing is to strictly follow the instructions, especially for ancient coins, which can be damaged much more easily. The method of cleaning will depend on what kind of erosion we are dealing with.

Among other things, stock up on dishes, unnecessary newspaper and a soft cloth. It would be a good idea to have gloves at the ready to protect your hands.

General cleaning process

Before you start cleaning coins at home, you need to understand what we are dealing with and what exactly we will be cleaning from. This type of oxide, like verdigris, is very harmful because it releases toxic substances upon contact with air, which means constantly. It is very difficult to clean it.

Another type of patina. In this case, it’s the other way around; you don’t need to do anything since it protects the metal. It is also called noble plaque. The patina protects against the harmful effects of air and humidity.

Before cleaning from plaque, you need to thoroughly wash off any dirt and soil. This is done so that the methods below come into contact with the copper and not the dirt on it.

Lemon

A universal method since lemon is used to wash many materials. How to clean copper coins using lemon at home? You just need to take a coin and insert it into half of the fruit. Leave it there for half an hour and pull it out. We wash off all excess, you can scrub off the residue with a toothbrush. Now, using a previously prepared cloth, wipe it dry. This method is probably the best and also very simple.

Soap

How to clean an antique copper coin? To do this, we use the safest method. We will need baby soap. Grate it and pour in enough water to form a mass resembling plasticine. We immerse the product in the resulting mixture and leave it for a while. We periodically remove it and see if pieces of plaque have peeled off; if so, we clean it and immerse it again. The procedure is carried out until complete cleansing.

This is often how the most delicate Tsarist and Soviet coins are cleaned. Sometimes it can take days or even weeks for complete cleansing.

Salt, flour and vinegar

Take a tablespoon of flour and salt, add a drop of vinegar, mix. Rub the coin and leave it in this state for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off any residue under running water and wipe dry. It is better not to keep it longer, as black spots may form.

Vinegar

For the vinegar method, we will need a small bowl in which to heat the water. Pour a glass of water into it, add 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar and the same amount of salt. Cleaning copper coins will occur there after immersion in hot water. We wait until everything cools down to ambient temperature. After this, clean with a toothbrush. Now wash and wipe dry.

Toothpaste

How to clean copper coins? Of course, a toothbrush and toothpaste. We wet the denyushka in water and clean it. Leave for about half an hour, wash in water and dry. This way you can clean an old copper coin.

Professional liquids

You can buy them in workshops and jewelry stores, then clean copper coins at home. The process itself is very simple, just immerse it in liquid for 10-20 minutes and wipe dry.

Coca-Cola

Cola is not only a drink, but also an excellent cleanser. Easily eats away plaque and even rust. It is best to use only as a digestive aid. It can handle cleaning a copper coin.

To do this, immerse the object in the drink for several days, in difficult cases for the whole week. For faster results, place it in the sun. When Coca-Cola heats up, its cleaning properties increase and the effect will be faster.

When the time is up, wash the coin and wipe it. Pour out the drink.

Soda

We take our object and place it in a bowl of warm water. Add soda there and leave for half an hour. Now you need to remove the plaque using a brush. We wash everything off with running water and dry it.

Workshop

When you need to clean an antique copper coin or a particularly valuable one, you can contact a jewelry workshop. There it will be quickly cleaned and polished, in a word, restored. For some, this will be the best way to clean a copper coin.

Edge Cases

It is better not to clean ancient coins using this method. Use only in extreme cases, when the contamination is particularly severe and other methods do not help. We will use caustic soda. We dilute in cold water. It's better that you have gloves on your hands now. Using tweezers, lower the object into the prepared water and leave for 5 minutes. We take it out and rinse it well under running water.

Attention. If blue or green spots form on the copper during the cleaning process, remove the coin and wash it. Otherwise, this method can cause irreparable harm.

What is the best way to clean coins with a white coating?

A white coating (verdigris) is a sign of the presence of a zinc alloy in a copper alloy. In this case, distillate should be used. Immerse the object in a vessel with water for 2 days. Anything that flakes off is cleaned with a brush.

What is the best way to clean blacks and greens from a copper coin?

How to remove greens from a copper coin? It's simple, we need ammonia, soak a cotton pad in it and wipe it. Now make a soap solution and rinse the item there, leave it in the solution for a few more minutes. Wipe again to remove greens and other stains and rinse in clean water. This is how you can quickly clean copper coins at home.

Applying patina to the coin

To keep a copper coin presentable, it is important to apply a patina that will protect it from external influences.

1. Light a fire (you can use gas, but a fire is better) and pour water into a pan that you don’t mind. Add 50 grams of copper sulfate and 5 potassium permanganate to it for every liter of water.
2. When the water reaches a boil, extinguish the fire and put the coins in the pan, stirring constantly. Observe the color of copper objects, it should change.
3. When the color changes, take out the coins and lay them out to dry.
4. Preserve the patina using a solution of benzene and alcohol in a 1:1 ratio.
5. Wipe with vegetable oil.

Source: https://comp-plus.ru/uborka/kak-i-chem-effektivno-ochistit-mednuyu-monetu

How and with what to clean copper coins at home?

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Don't be upset right away if your coin collection becomes a little dirty or darkened. You should know that some precious coins are more valuable when they have a patina on them. This factor is a sign of antiquity. But it happens that they simply have accumulated grease or dust. Then the question arises: how to properly clean copper coins and what you will need for this.

Metals from which coins are made

Coins, depending on the country and historical period, were made from the following materials:

• chromium;
• tin;
• gland;
• aluminum;
• platinum;
• cupronickel;
• bronze;
• zinc;
• copper;
• gold;
• silver;

How can you clean coins?

At home, copper coins, as well as any others, can be cleaned using the following products:

• special chemicals used to clean jewelry;
• Coca Cola;
• toothpaste;
• lemon acid;
• ammonia;
• soap solution.

Also, to remove dirt and apply the product, you will need the following tools:

• thin needles;
• medium-hard or soft brushes;
• soft rags.

Everyday coins can be cleaned with more aggressive and complex substances. Don't be afraid that you will damage them. Valuable and old coins require a more delicate approach when cleaning. Otherwise, the cost of the product may decrease significantly.

Cleaning copper coins using universal methods

First of all, you should try to use universal simple cleaning methods, and not immediately use aggressive and complex solutions.

Option 1

1. We need a warm soapy solution.
2. Dip soiled items into this solution.
3. Use a sponge or cloth to remove dirt.
4. Dry the coin on a clean, soft cloth.

Option 2

1. Grate laundry or baby soap on a fine grater.
2. Add a little water until you get a paste.
3. Place coins in the resulting mixture.
4. Leave them like this for a few days.
5. Wipe with a soft brush and rinse with water.

Cleaning Daily Coins

Nobody likes to use dirty money. But if you do get your hands on some, then you can clean them using one of the methods suggested below:

Method 1

1. Dilute the vinegar with a small amount of water.
2. Rub the surface of the product with a cotton pad soaked in the solution.
3. Treat the metal with toothpaste applied to an unnecessary brush.
4. Use a damp cloth or sponge to remove any remaining product.
5. Polish until shiny using a dry cloth.

Method 2

1. Place all products in a bowl of warm water.
2. Sprinkle soda on top.
3. Leave the money in the container for half an hour.
4. Use a brush to scrub with baking soda.
5. Rinse with water and dry.

Method 3

1. Pour cola into the container.
2. Put dirty money in it overnight.
3. In the morning, rinse with water.

Method 4

1. You will need a weak solution of hydrochloric acid.
2. Soak a cotton pad in it.
3. Walk over the surface of the coin.
4. Rinse and dry.

To avoid damaging the skin of your hands, always wear gloves.

Cleaning precious and old coins

Precious coins, as we have already said, require a special approach. But before cleaning them, it is necessary to determine what alloy or metal they are made of. Below we will suggest methods for a specific type of coin.

Silver

It is necessary to take into account how much the metal has oxidized and what grade it is. An effective and at the same time simple way looks like this:

1. Pour ammonia into a plate.
2. Immerse all coins in it for 1 hour.
3. Rinse and dry.

Trilon B has proven itself well. It must be used when cleaning low-grade silver.

Gold

This metal can be washed from dirt as follows:

1. Rub ⅛ of a bar of soap and stir it in 1 liter of warm water.
2. Soak the coins briefly in the resulting solution.
3. Rub them with your fingers.
4. Now place the soap solution with coins in a saucepan on the fire. Heat, but do not bring to a boil.
5. Rinse all products with water and dry well.

Iron

Iron coins often develop whitish stains and rust. You can deal with this problem as follows:

1. You will need low concentration hydrochloric acid.
2. Wipe all iron products with a cotton pad soaked in the solution.
3. Using a needle or a brush with brass bristles, go through very dirty areas.
4. Rinse and dry.
5. To restore the original shine to the products, rub them with a felt cloth.

Copper

Copper coins can be cleaned with Cilit cleaner or vinegar. Both of these products are excellent at removing rust.

If your choice fell on vinegar, then you need to do the following manipulations:

1. Pour vinegar into any container.
2. Place copper coins in the liquid.
3. The time for taking such baths depends on the degree of contamination of the product.
4. Remove, rinse and dry.

In the case of Cilit, you need to do the following:

1. Apply paste to the metal surface.
2. Use a soft brush or sponge to go over the product.
3. Rinse the coins with warm running water.
4. Lay them out on a soft cloth and dry.

What should you not do to clean coins?

When cleaning coins yourself, regardless of the metal from which they are made, it is strictly forbidden to use:

1. Heat treatment at high temperatures. As a result of such procedures, the metal may simply crumble after cooling or even melt completely.
2. Concentrates of sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and acetic acids. The minting pattern from them can simply melt.
3. Any abrasive tools and powders. These include metal brushes and sandpaper. Even modern household chemicals can cope not only with dirt, but even with patina. This reduces the cost of the product sharply.

Now you can restore the attractiveness of your collection, and our tips will help you cope with stains on coins, regardless of the material from which they are made.

Source: https://ratatum.com/kak-i-chem-pochistit-monety-iz-medi/

How to clean a copper coin

Collectors often wonder how to clean a copper coin to restore it to its original appearance.

Antiques often lose their luster during use, because... pass from one generation to another. Appearance may change due to deformation and various contaminants.

Copper money, which was in circulation under the Tsar, most often needs restoration.

Types of pollution

Collectors and people who have inherited coins are wondering how to clean them. It happens that because of the layer it is impossible to see the denomination and engraving. Plaque is also invisible to the human eye. In this case, the shine simply disappears .

This type of coin can be cleaned faster. According to its chemical properties, copper is a ductile and unstable metal . As a result of interaction with air, chemical oxidation occurs, resulting in the formation of a layer that must be cleaned.

To prevent money from losing its appearance, it must be stored correctly. Many copper specimens have been lost or deteriorated over the past centuries. Some of the treasures are still in the ground in a disappointing condition.

But numismatists and lovers of antiquities do not despair and continue to search. The resulting specimens need to be restored to their original appearance and shine in order to learn about history and share a piece of it with other generations.

The best copper coin cleaning can be done by professionals. Specialists will be able to qualitatively restore and restore the presentable appearance of the product. The procedure is expensive and not everyone can afford it.

An alternative solution is to cleanse yourself using proven products. The process at home will take longer than with professionals. And it may require re-treatment to clear the contamination.

As already noted in the article, copper is a very unstable metal in terms of its physical and chemical properties. A layer on it is formed of different colors and densities .

Pollution occurs as a result of the chemical process of oxidation. It gives such a reaction upon contact with water or air. Depending on the color, you can judge the composition.

The raid can be:

• green;
• black;
• yellow;
• red;
• blue;
• brown.

Any of these changes indicates a chemical reaction on the surface, as a result of which the metal could be damaged and deformation could occur.

Basic cleaning methods

The procedure for removing dirt from coins is an important process during which you need to be careful and careful not to damage the item.

The layer, which has been formed for centuries, needs to be removed urgently. There is a film called patina that is highly prized by collectors . It is able to protect the metal from the external environment. Patina can be distinguished from dirt.

It is a thin, even layer that is usually brown or black in color. The deposits indicate the age of the coin and should not be removed with chemicals.

Otherwise, the value of antique lovers . Therefore, the treatment is carried out without the use of mechanical methods and aggressive compounds.

are safe :

• laundry soap and water;
• regular citric acid;
• table vinegar essence ;
• hot oil treatment
• solution ;
• ammonia;
• chemical drug Trilon-B.

All methods very effectively remove old contaminants that have accumulated over several centuries. They return the appearance close to the original without damaging the metal structure.

In any case, funds can be damaged. There is no need for haste in this case. Cleaning must be done carefully and carefully.

Soap solution and citric acid

The easiest way to clean a coin is a mixture of laundry soap and warm water. These ingredients are found in every home. In order to prepare the solution, you need to grate a bar of soap and add it to heated water.

Stir until solid particles disappear completely. Next, the coppers are placed in the bowl and left for 10-20 minutes , depending on the degree of contamination. During this time, as a result of the acid-base environment , substances will easily move away from the surface.

After soaking, you need to rinse the money under running liquid and wipe dry with a soft cloth. You can use a sponge to wash dishes. It is not recommended to use hard fabrics. This method is used to clean royal coins and items from the Soviet period .

If the recipe is not followed, or if it is left in an acid-base environment, the patina and the metal itself . All methods must be applied competently. The citric acid cleaning method is very effective, but can affect the surface structure and cause its deformation.

You must strictly adhere to the recipe. To create a solution, take 4 tablespoons of citric acid and 10 tablespoons of water. It is not recommended to add more acid, because the concentration will be more intense and can cause harm.

Money is placed in this composition for 5 minutes. For old stains, increase the time to 10 minutes. During this time, the dirt will disappear and thus will not damage the structure of the copper. Repeat if necessary.

Don't worry if a pink tint appears. In a few weeks it will disappear. Citric acid will help cope with the green coating that appears as a result of oxidation under prolonged exposure to moisture.

Application of vinegar, soda, oil and powder

Other effective methods are cleaning copper using table vinegar essence and ammonia. The operating principles are similar, so the methods can be combined into one group.

Mostly, cleaning is carried out with a pure substance; there is no need to add liquid. Vinegar or alcohol is poured onto a sponge and the surface of the coin is gently wiped . If there are persistent dirty areas, the substance should be left on longer.

After a while, the film will come off without much difficulty. It may be necessary to wipe the areas where dirt accumulates more intensively. It is important not to use mechanical means so as not to damage the material. Only use soft cloth.

You can first soak the copper for several hours in the solution. 2 tablespoons are diluted in 1 liter of water and coins are placed . They should not touch each other or the edges of the container. Otherwise, stains may appear that will be more difficult to clean. The method is effective against yellow plaque, which indicates the presence of lead in the composition.

Once you are sure that the stains have completely disappeared, the coin should be rinsed well under warm running water. This is necessary to remove any remaining aggressive substances.

The products will allow you to restore the presentable appearance of the product, restore its shine, and completely remove plaque from copper. Just as with other products, you need to be careful not to disturb the metal surface and patina.

Otherwise , the historical value will be lost, and the coin will remain a simple metal product . To get a really good result, you need to take your time. To prevent subsequent contamination, it is important to lubricate coins with petroleum jelly.

There is a chemical powder for cleaning Trilon-B . It is used in various industries. The product will very carefully remove the film without damaging the surface.

It is necessary to dilute the substance in distilled water and add soap to reduce acidity . If the stains are not strong, then wipe the coin with the resulting solution . If heavily soiled, antiques are soaked for several hours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bam1IE5TRy0

Next you need to rinse and wipe the copper. After the procedure, if necessary, apply a patina. The solution has a very good effect on rusty areas.

If the copper has acquired an unnatural light shade, then it is placed in a sunny color. Within a few days, if you turn regularly, the color will be restored.

You can clean it by cooking. To do this, vegetable oil and petroleum jelly are poured into the container, and soda is added . The resulting mixture is placed on the fire and brought to a boil.

When resorting to this method, you need to be extremely careful not to get burned. Skin damage from oil is very serious and can lead to irreparable consequences. The cleaning principle is very simple.

The products are placed in a boiling composition for 5 minutes . During this time, the plaque will disappear and the product will acquire a good appearance. If the unnecessary layer has not disappeared, you can cook for a few more minutes. After washing, you need to cool and rinse with water or ethyl alcohol to degrease.

Finished items can be dried with paper towels. To do this, place towels folded in 2-3 layers , and cover with another layer on top.

It is necessary to use only soft cloths to avoid scratching the surface. You can use a drying cabinet , but not everyone has one at home. To slow down the destruction process, products can be periodically wiped with crumpled newspaper.

Other available methods

To effectively and safely clean the copper surface , other methods can be used. The electrolysis method is only suitable for areas that are not severely damaged, because... All imperfections will be very noticeable on cleaned products.

The principle is that a coin is connected to the cathode, and a graphite rod acts as the anode.

The entire system is placed in an electrolyte . Cleansing occurs under the influence of electric current . This method requires special concentration and attention.

Work must be carried out wearing protective gloves and following safety precautions . An unusual way is kefir. It contains acid that can only deal with light deposits. To do this, the object is soaked in the substance for several hours, then washed and wiped dry.

Conclusion

Plaque can be removed in a professional organization or at home . Not everyone can clean a coin on their own.

The main principle is attentiveness and lack of haste. This is influenced by the special properties of copper. The metal is soft and deforms quickly. All the methods mentioned above will help not damage the fragile object, and will return the copper to a smooth, even and shiny surface.

At the same time, the historical value of funds is preserved . Do not use abrasive substances such as sand, toothpaste and salt. Scratches may occur.

In any case, you need to practice on a less valuable find for the first time. In this case, you can understand all the nuances of the process and not spoil valuable pieces of the collection.

Source: https://finhelps.ru/chem-pochistit-mednuyu-monetu/

Cleaning copper coins: putting old coins in order

How to clean old copper coins. Advice from experienced numismatists.

Restoring coins is a difficult job. Each metal from which a coin is minted, be it silver, gold, copper or iron, requires a special approach. Some are better not to clean at all, with others you can simply use a soapy solution, and for others you will need special cleaning products. Below we will tell you how to clean an ancient coin found in the ground.

How to clean coins

When cleaning any coin, it is important to remember: each metal has its own approach. If we talk, for example, about gold and platinum, it is better to do without cleaning at all or limit yourself to soapy water. No abrasives or hard metal brushes, just like with silver. Poor mechanical cleaning can leave scratches and the coin will lose its value.

There are 4 main ways to clean old coins:

• Chemical;
• Mechanical;
• Cooking;
• Electrolysis.

They are all used in different cases, at different levels of contamination, with different metals. For example, electrolysis is used only in cases where no serious damage or pronounced cavities are found on the coin. This is a fairly simple method. The coin is immersed in a slightly salted solution and an electric current is applied to it. At the end of the procedure, the coin takes on a new, fresh look, but defects such as mechanical damage, oxides and cavities may appear.

Mechanical cleaning involves the use of various tools. This allows you to qualitatively eliminate various types of contaminants. But it is important to remember: this is a very small and complex job, there is a danger of damaging the integrity of the metal of the coin.

Dry cleaning is the use of various reagents, ammonia, acids, soda, household chemicals, detergents, soap, and washing powder. This method takes longer, since coins must be kept in solutions for several hours, and sometimes for several days.

But this method is suitable for almost all metals.

Boiling is a way to clean up dirty coins, which involves immersing them in boiling water with the addition of soda, petroleum jelly or olive oil. Cooking is faster than dry cleaning, but you need to remember one important rule: for high-quality restoration of a coin, it is better to combine several methods.

How to Clean a Copper Coin

Copper was one of the first metals used to mint coins. Copper coins are well valued by numismatists and have their own characteristics. Copper coins are not resistant to corrosion, which must be taken into account when choosing a method for cleaning them. In addition, the appearance of a patina of dark green, brown or completely black is considered absolutely normal and even positive.

There is a misconception that patina, like other oxides, needs to be cleaned and removed. On the contrary, it is an indicator of the value of the coin and protects it from external influences, including corrosion. An even, dense layer of patina is an indicator of the quality of a copper coin. Removing it can significantly reduce its cost.

Dry cleaning involves the use of various means:

• Soap;
• Vinegar;
• Ammonia;
• Lemon acid;
• Ammonia.

Ancient copper coins are also put in order by electrolysis, boiling in soda and mechanically using various tools.

The reddish coating is removed by immersion in a five percent ammonia solution. Green scale (copper carbonate) - with a ten percent solution of citric acid, yellow scale - with acetic acid in the same proportion.

To achieve the highest quality result after dry cleaning, coins can be boiled separately in a soda solution or distilled water. One of the main rules of digestion is that the liquid must always cover the coin by at least 2 cm.

In order for the coin to be cleaned evenly, it is better to place it not on one side, but to place it leaning against the walls of the container.

An important and mandatory point after completing all stages of cleaning is drying the coin. The quality of drying of the coin determines its appearance. It is better to use only paper towels to remove moisture. Others scratch the coin and leave lint on it. The most ideal option is to place coins in drying cabinets.

Some numismatists prefer to artificially cover copper rubles with a layer of patina to protect them from external damage, chips and corrosion. Over time, the coin itself becomes covered with patina, but there is no guarantee that the layer will be uniform. Therefore, playing it safe and taking care of its appearance in advance is the most correct decision.

Procedure for applying patina:

• Dilute 50 g of copper sulfate and 5 g of potassium permanganate in 1 liter of distilled water.
• Heat the solution to 80–90 degrees.
• Place coins in the solution.
• Do not remove coins from liquid until a characteristic brown layer appears.
• Take out the coins and dry them in a convenient way.
• Apply a protective coating (alternatively, mix alcohol with benzene in a 1:1 ratio).

Another way to patina a coin is to place the coin in a 10% hyposulfite solution for 15 seconds.

How to clean an old coin

Sometimes even more serious means and methods are used for high-quality restoration of an old coin. One of these is Trilon-B, a special active cleaning agent in powder form that makes most insoluble metal salts soluble, thereby cleaning metal surfaces.

The cleaner effectively removes silver, zinc and copper oxides, making it ideal for coin restoration. Trilon-B is a strong product that does its job - aggressively removes metal corrosion.

But you need to be careful: if you overexpose the coin, serious damage may occur.

When used correctly, the acid eats away the oxides without affecting the metal itself - the coin remains in excellent shape. If you do not follow the proportions or the restoration procedure, cracks and pits will appear. The larger the oxide layer, the longer you need to keep the coins in the solution. You need to clean coins using Trilon-B according to a clear procedure:

1. Prepare a 10% solution: mix 100 g of the substance with 1 liter of warm water.
2. Immerse the coins in a container with the solution for 10–20 minutes.
3. Take out the coins, rinse under water, and dry.

Washing coins is a very important step. Keeping it in solution means allowing the substance to destroy the metal of the coin. Drying follows the same procedure as with any other product.

How to clean coins at home

If you are planning to renew really expensive coins, take the time to use the services of restoration professionals and entrust the cleaning to them.

If you are new to this business, you don’t need to purchase special cleaning products and tools to freshen up your coins and their appearance. Everything you need is in your kitchen. Even many experienced numismatists put their coins in order using improvised means.

You might not even realize that some of them turned out to be an excellent tool for cleaning coins. In your home you will find:

Vinegar and citric acid. Take vinegar or dissolve 100 g of citric acid in 1 liter of water. Place a coin in a small container.

Be sure to ensure that it is completely submerged in the liquid and does not protrude above the surface to prevent streaks or uncleaned areas. After 5-10 minutes you can take out the coin. Don't forget to rinse it under warm water.

Instead of citric acid, you can also use regular lemon - just immerse the coin in the pulp for a while.

Baby soap. A very simple method, but despite this, it may take more than one day. Just take baby soap, rub it and pour boiling water over it to create a thick soap paste. When it has cooled, immerse the coins in it, occasionally checking how clean they are. Keep in mind: Some coins can take a day to clean with soap paste, while others can take up to several weeks.

Ammonia. A fairly harsh, but still effective method for cleaning coins made of copper. Ammonia is quite an aggressive agent for this metal. If you do not want to spoil the coin or damage the metal, you need to handle it with extreme caution. The coin must be immersed in ammonia for 15–20 seconds, then rinsed thoroughly. To reduce the risk of damage to the coin, you can use a solution rather than pure ammonia.

Coca Cola. This drink, thanks to the presence of phosphoric acid in its composition, has long been known for its properties as one of the effective rust removers. If you use cola in the restoration of coins, it can be an excellent means of cleaning them. To do this, place the coins in a container with a drink, then rinse with water and dry.

Handy tools. If you decide to use special tools and mechanically remove colored plaque and dirt, use items that can be found in almost every home: a paper napkin, toilet paper, a soft toothbrush, foil, an eraser or a toothpick. They do not damage the metal, and cleaning can be carried out as carefully as possible.

How to clean USSR coins

Copper rubles and kopecks were issued from 1924 to 1928. In subsequent years, silver, nickel, aluminum bronze, steel and copper alloys - cupronickel and brass - were used for coinage. Copper coins of that time require special care, so all of the methods and means listed above are suitable for restoring Soviet coins: baby soap, vinegar, soda, citric acid, a special cleaning agent Trilon-B, ammonia, as well as electrolysis and mechanical cleaning methods.

Source: https://xn--80aknalggeqsd.xn--p1ai/%D1%87%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%BC%D0%B5% D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85-%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82/

Cleaning Copper Coins

Before you start cleaning, you should once again pay attention to the material of the coin, this is due to the fact that copper, silver, nickel and brass must be cleaned using different methods.

The most important thing when cleaning is not to do any harm. The main assistant in any business is experience. And when it is not there, it is very difficult to achieve a good result on the first try. And when cleaning antique copper coins, you often don’t have enough coin - another one to experiment with. Below are the most common ways to clean coins at home. Not all of the above methods are safe for coins, but nevertheless, all the known ones are collected below.

If the coin is valuable, but there is no confidence in the result of cleaning, then it is better not to clean it at all or contact a professional.

Cleaning copper coins with soap

Perhaps the safest way to clean a coin. The main disadvantage is the time; it can take several months (possibly years) to put the coin in order. The essence of the method is that the soap solution, as a slightly alkaline medium, slowly and fairly gently dissolves copper oxides on the surface of the coin.

Preparation of soap solution

In order to prepare a solution in which we will clean copper coins (other copper objects coated with oxides), you need to grate soap (preferably laundry or baby soap) and brew it with boiling water. After an hour or two, the solution will begin to thicken and take on the consistency of ketchup or toothpaste.

The actual cleaning process

Coins are immersed in the prepared solution one at a time so that before they cake at the bottom of the jar they are evenly covered with soap. The coins remain in the solution for at least a day or up to a week.

Next, the coins are taken out and washed with warm water, the plaque on the surface is cleaned off with a toothbrush with the bristles cut off for rigidity. If the green ones remain, the process must be repeated. The soap solution can be used several times. As a rule, the coin is not cleaned the first time.

In the best case, cleaning takes a week during which the coin has to be removed from the soap 3-7 times. There may be dense oxides that can be cleaned off within six months.

After the coin is completely cleaned of oxides, it must be cleaned with baking soda using the same toothbrush, this is necessary so that there is no white residue left on the coin from soap, which gets into the pores and spoils the appearance.

Two kopecks from 1882 were cleaned with soapy water. The oxides were less durable than in the first example and were cleared off in 10 days.

In principle, we can finish here, but we can improve the appearance of the coin a little more. To do this, rub the coin on a woolen cloth or felt. After this treatment, the relief of the coin will be more clearly visible.

And at the very end, before sending it to the album, you can rub the coin with Vaseline. This will improve the appearance a little more and preserve the coin to some extent.

Citric acid for copper is a highly destructive reagent and you should think very carefully before using it. As a result, you can not only not improve, but also greatly worsen the appearance of the coin and its value. At the same time, citric acid is one of the best options for cleaning silver coins.

The 1875 penny before cleaning with citric acid looked quite ordinary, but the cleaning process can hardly be called such; the coin was practically destroyed in a few minutes in acid.

Cleaning copper coins with ammonia

The method is quite cruel for copper coins, as it significantly destroys the surface. But for the case when the coin is unevenly covered with a very strong green oxide, which does not take soap, ammonia can be used.

This 1903 kopeck was paid for 10 minutes. The result is certainly not excellent, but very persistent oxides were quickly removed.

The cleaning process itself is that the coin is completely immersed in ammonia, kept there for another minute, then taken out and cleaned with a toothbrush. Since ammonia corrodes oxides very quickly, it is better to take out the coin and clean it more often; it is also worth putting it on different sides each time.

Electrolysis

Cleaning copper by electrolysis is only possible when the coin is not severely damaged and the oxides have not corroded deep cavities in the coin. This requirement is due to the fact that when cleaning by electrolysis, all imperfections will appear very clearly on the coin.

Two kopecks from 1924 were purified by electrolysis. A solution of baking soda was used as an electrolyte, and a charger for a car battery (12V, 2A) was used as a current source. Cleaning time 5 minutes.

Electrolysis cleaning technology is that a coin is attached to the “-” (cathode) of a direct current source, and either a graphite element or any object made of the same material as the coin itself is attached to the “+” (anode). Next, the anode and cathode are immersed in the electrolyte and current is applied. As an electrolyte, you can use a solution of baking soda in water (2 tablespoons per liter). The cleaning process takes from several minutes to an hour depending on the size of the coin, its condition and the power of the current source.

A fairly simple and quick technique for cleaning copper coins. The name itself almost completely describes the technology. Copper coins are boiled in a solution of soda and water. The solution is made quite concentrated: 3-5 tablespoons of soda per half liter of water. The solution should cover the coins by 2 cm. This is necessary so that the coins do not appear from the solution during the cleaning process. The cooking itself should continue for 30 minutes. Then remove the coins from the solution and clean them with a toothbrush and a paste of the same soda.

The 1910 kopeck was cleaned by boiling it in soda for 30 minutes. The result is not bad at all: green oxides were completely removed and the patina layer was not damaged. The fact that irregularities and cavities have opened up on the coin’s field is rather a drawback of the coin itself, and this negative effect from cleaning could have occurred with any other method.

Cleaning with vinegar

Acetic acid, like any other, is suitable for cleaning copper coins. A limitation of its use is that this method damages the patina and exposes cavities and other irregularities in the field of the coin. For cleaning, use a solution of vinegar in water with a strength of 7-20% from any grocery store.

These 10 flights from 1892 were immersed in acetic acid for 15 minutes, then brushed with a toothbrush. It is clearly noticeable that the patina on the coin is damaged in places and will need to be applied artificially, but the green oxides were quickly removed.

Cleaning with Trilon-B

Trilon-B (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt) is a special cleaning agent designed to make most insoluble metal salts soluble. Thus, oxides and patina are easily washed off from the surface of the coin in a Trilon-B solution.

Trilon-B cleans coins coated with uniform oxides well.

But if the oxides on the coin have a different structure, then as a result of cleaning on some surfaces the coin is cleaned to a shine, while on others the oxides continue to persist, in this case it is necessary to resort to artificial patination after cleaning.

The main advantages of cleaning with Trilon are:

• trilon does not destroy the metal of the coin, as acids and alkalis can do;
• high cleaning speed - cleaning a copper coin takes a few minutes, in severe cases a couple of hours.

Two kopecks of 1841 had fairly uniform oxides, which were easily cleaned off with Trilon. But the 1836 penny was covered with oxides of varying densities, and when cleaning, the oxides were removed quickly from part of the coin, and slowly from the other part. Thus, part of the penny coin has acquired a copper metallic sheen and requires patina.

Mechanical cleaning is a special process for restoring coins in which the coin is not cleaned, but rather cut out or restored in a layer of oxides.

For such a reading, the decisive factor is the experience and hard work of the master. The technology can be described very primitively as follows:

• The surface of the coin is desalted and cleaned of dried dirt in distilled water;
• All oxides, including loose ones, are strengthened by impregnating the surface in synthetic resin (paraloid B72);
• Using scrapers, cutters, brushes, and needles of varying hardness, the master removes from the surface everything that he considers unnecessary. By securing unstable areas, they do not fall through and can be aligned with the main field of the coin and no cavities remain. All work is performed under a microscope.

These 4 kopecks from 1762 were cleaned by a professional using mechanical cleaning technology. The result is simply magnificent, but such processing of the coin took a very long time (2 months for this coin) and is only relevant for rare and valuable coins.

Source: http://99-kopeek.ru/chistqa_monet/chistqa_mednykh_monet

How to clean copper coins?

Hello everyone! Winter is a time to clean coins. At the height of the season, they don’t really get around to sorting out the swag and putting it in order, and therefore, many cops leave this task until winter. Copper, in turn, is a metal susceptible to various oxidizing agents. Search engines often come across dead copper coins or so-called poop coins. And almost always they are destroyed by the soil.

The most common reason is fertilizers that are added to the soil of fields to increase its fertility. These substances create a very aggressive environment for copper objects, eating the metal of coins and creating various oxides on their surface. Let's talk about how to remove these oxides. I won’t particularly describe the sophisticated and barbaric methods.

I’ll tell you about the most gentle ones that I used myself.

Cleaning coins with soap

Soap is a fairly mild cleaning agent that is practically incapable of killing a coin. We need to make a soap slurry. To do this, we are looking for a bar of soap that contains EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).

This is our cleaning agent, which will rid the coin of oxides and dirt. We grate the soap or chop it with a knife, dump it into an unnecessary container and fill it with warm water to make a porridge.

Stir until a homogeneous consistency and throw in coins, previously washed under the tap with a brush.

The time during which coins will be cleaned depends on the amount and nature of the oxides. For example, you can wait a month, or two, or even six months. It is better to take out the coins once a week and rub them under running water with a toothbrush with cut bristles.

As I wrote above, the disadvantage of this method is the long cleaning time. Soap has almost no effect on the metal of a coin. but if you overexpose the coin, the patina may come off, since it is also an oxide. In theory, when you arrive from the cops, you can immediately throw the coins into a bowl of soap.

By the way, I highly recommend covering the whole thing with a lid so that the soap does not dry out and lose its activity. I will also say that if the coin’s relief is supported solely by oxides, later only a bald round piece will come out of the mess. If such specimens are of any value, it is better to clean them mechanically.

Mechanical cleaning of coins

Recently, cleaning with scrapers has gained popularity and quite a few collectors and searchers are already painstakingly working on coins. In fact, this is the best, but at the same time, the most labor-intensive method.

First, you need to acquire a binocular microscope like MBS-9 or MBS-10 and stock up on various scrapers made from different materials and for different purposes. A professional will be able to revive even a completely dead coin.

The relief is fixed with resin and the relief elements and the even field of the coin are drawn out by hand.

The cleaning process, in simple words, consists of cutting off loose oxides. Essentially like carving with chisels. Of course, first you need to prepare the coin to soften the plaque. You can soak coins in distilled water, but for some reason I soak them in Vaseline oil. During the cleaning process it does not dry out and any nasty stuff is cut off very nicely.

I don’t go into such depths and just scrape coins at an amateur level. In my arsenal there are scrapers made from pobedit, carbide, dental burs and Soviet needle files. Also smoothers and collet handle. Using a fiberglass brush, I remove scratches and smooth out the texture of the coin. Well, then I lubricate the coin with oil and it turns out, in my opinion, a very good result. Of course, I’m just learning and there are some mistakes. I think I will write a full article about this in the future.

Cleaning coins by boiling them in soda

I used to boil my finds in soda very often. This method is quite fast, but it is much easier to ruin a coin with it than with soap. In a metal bowl, soda is diluted in water, coins, previously washed under the tap, are thrown in, and the whole thing is put on fire.

When the solution boils, the coins begin to jingle cheerfully against the bottom. But it’s worth keeping an eye on it and turning down the heat when foam starts to rise. If you look at this moment, the stove will be covered in soda and dirt from coins.

We cook for 5-10 minutes and begin to remove the finds with tweezers, the gripping part of which is pre-wrapped with electrical tape so as not to scratch our experimental subjects. And so on until the coins are completely cleared.

After all this, you need to rinse the cleaned rounds under running water and rub them with a brush. If there is any dirt left, we throw it back into the boiling soda, but if the coin is clean, then we lubricate it with Vaseline oil. All! The coins are ready.

I noticed that if the copper is initially eaten, then at the end of cleaning the field of coins will turn out to be porous. Well, if the find is not raised from the field, but from more gentle soil, then the field will turn out clean, even and glossy. In my opinion, soap does not expose these small cavities as much. If you boil a coin, you can say goodbye to the patina. The copper will come out of the solution red, like a lobster.

Cleaning coins with kefir

And the last method I want to talk about in this article. Kefir is a weak acid, which, like soap, practically cannot spoil coins. We take a bowl, pour kefir into it and put a test coin there.

Soon the fermented milk product will begin to turn green, which indicates the successful progress of the process. Coins are cleaned in this way faster than in soap, but slower than in soda. It will take a day, two or three to give copper royal or Soviet coins a marketable appearance.

  The effect of kefir is very similar to the result of soap.

After cleaning, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the finds and oil them for preservation and a beautiful appearance.

Source: http://urklad.ru/chistka-monet/kak-chistit-mednye-monety/