Cleaning silver coins at home - effective methods
An old silver coin is the pride of every numismatist. And with age, the value only increases, so it is important to keep antiques in a presentable form, ideally with minimal access to air and moisture. Find an old coin for good luck, but almost always it is in unworthy condition and needs to be restored. Once it is determined that it is indeed silver, the age and value must be determined.
To ensure that cleaning your silver coins does not cause any harm, follow the instructions carefully. Depending on where the coin was recently stored, the degree of contamination and oxidation will depend.
Process Features
Let's figure out how and how to clean a silver coin. First you need to determine how bad the condition of the metal is and how much dirt there is. Since the first step will be to clear away the soil and other residues. Almost always specimens found are covered with a layer of plaque. Check your find, determine what exactly it is covered with.
If it is a patina, then cleaning will not be necessary; it protects the metal from rust, corrosion and other external factors. Therefore, if the coin is completely and evenly coated, it is better not to peel it. The value of the silver coin will only increase from this. It’s another matter when there is so much plaque that the object loses its appearance and the design is not visible.
Before cleaning silver coins, it is recommended to determine the approximate value and fineness. Often an assessment is made based on size. The smaller the item, the lower grade the metal was used and vice versa. Methods for cleaning products of different value differ, but there are also universal ones.
Cleaning Rules
To ensure effective cleaning of silver coins at home, follow safety precautions. Otherwise, the surface may be damaged and the cost will be reduced.
- Before cleaning silver coins, remove any dirt, dust, or soil from the surface. Otherwise, all methods will not have the full effect.
- The whole process must occur smoothly, with great care so as not to harm the old metal.
- During the process, use a soft cloth, a clean cloth and a toothbrush or other lightweight brush.
- After any cleaning, rinse with water and wipe or dry to remove traces of water and moisture.
- Beware of sudden temperature changes; do not throw a hot coin into cold water and vice versa.
Methods of cleansing
There are many ways to clean silver coins; we will look at the most effective and efficient ones. In addition to traditional methods, you can always use professional means. The following can be used:
- Soap composition,
- Toothpaste,
- Baking soda solution
- Vinegar,
- Ammonia,
- Citric acid powder,
- Water left over from boiling eggs
- Salt,
- Foil and salt
- Formic acid.
And of course, cleaning silver coins includes the use of special products that can be purchased in workshops and jewelry stores. But in this case, you must follow the instructions exactly so as not to harm the product.
How to clean
And so, how can you clean coins at home? Below we present the most effective methods and means. Whichever one you choose for yourself, handle it carefully so as not to damage it. The older the coin, the easier it is to harm it. You can first try on a regular penny, select a specimen in the worst condition and experiment with it.
How to clean a silver coin from dirt and dust
Cleaning silver coins begins with removing dirt and dust. To do this, you can use plain water and a toothbrush. First you need to put it in water for a while, when the dirt gets wet, carefully remove it with a brush. You can use soap, lather the surface and put it in water for a while. Clean your collection of dust and dirt before you even start using any of the methods below.
Soap solution
The method is suitable for old and not very dirty coins. Well suited for washing off dust, clay and other dirt. The most careful of all the above, but the effectiveness is not high.
Rub shavings of baby soap and add warm water to form something like jelly or plasticine. Place the item there for several hours. Now remove and brush gently with a toothbrush. If the effect is minimal or absent, repeat the procedure. But now leave it in the soapy solution for a few days or a week. During this time, all fats should dissolve. If plaque remains, use another method.
Toothpaste
You can clean silver coins using toothpaste. To do this, you need to apply it to the product and clean it with a brush or soft cloth. After completing the procedure, rinse under running water and wipe dry. It is better to use regular toothpaste without bleach.
Baking soda
Cleaning silver coins using baking soda is the most popular method among households. Add enough soda to the water to form a kind of slurry. Rub the product with it until completely clean; this can be done with your fingers or a cloth.
The method is not suitable for valuable items, as it may cause micro-scratches, which will affect the value of the silver in the future.
Acetic acid and ammonia
Cleaning silver coins with ammonia is as follows. In difficult cases, it is not water that is added to the soda, but ammonia. The resulting slurry is also rubbed into the object until the coating goes away.
Ammonia is perfect for cleaning silver of high and low standard, therefore it is an almost universal method. You just need to put the money in alcohol and leave it for a while. Depending on the complexity of the contamination, this can be from two minutes to several hours.
Another effective way to clean silver coins involves using 6% vinegar. To do this, it is heated to a warm state and a soft cloth is moistened in it. Now they rub the surface until it shines.
Lemon acid
When using this method, be extremely careful not to damage the metal coating. The method is not particularly popular due to the danger, but remains effective.
Pour 100 ml of water and add a tablespoon of acid. Immerse the coin for a short time, up to one minute (depending on condition). Wipe with a cloth, wash in clean water and wipe dry.
You can use natural lemon juice, it will be even better. In this case, squeeze it into a glass and immerse the product there. Please note that the silver coin must be completely immersed in the juice so that there is no oxide residue left where there was contact with air. After a while, remove and clean with a toothbrush, rinse in water and wipe dry.
With salt
The method is not gentle and is recommended only for coins of low value. Grains of salt can not only clean the metal, but also scratch it.
Take foil, pour water on it and add finely ground salt. The proportions should be such that a mixture similar to gruel is formed. The product is immersed there and completely covered with a thick layer of the mixture. Leave it like this for several hours. Rinse and wipe dry.
All this must be done slowly and carefully so as not to leave scratches on the silver. If you remember this rule, you can avoid any negative consequences.
Non-standard cleaning methods
When you need to make an object shine, table vinegar will help. To do this, soak a soft cloth in it and wipe the surface. If you heat the vinegar beforehand, the effect will be even better.
A very interesting way to clean silver coins using water after boiling eggs. When the water has cooled to a favorable temperature, lower your find there for 10 minutes (or longer). After this, wipe with a cloth. This is perhaps the cheapest way.
For clarity, take a look at how to clean antique silver coins:
Conclusion
Now you know the most effective ways to clean silver coins at home. Choose the one that suits your specific product. Consider value, fineness and condition. All procedures should be carried out carefully and not rushed. It is better to leave valuable specimens in the hands of professionals for cleaning.
Source: https://comp-plus.ru/uborka/kak-ochistit-serebryanuyu-monetu-v-domashnih-usloviyah
Cleaning gold coins. How and with what to clean
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Golden coins
You can admire them for a long time. Indeed, it is nice to look at a product that was created many years ago and has its own history. This metal has the ability to live much longer than its owners and gold coins remember a lot, but time changes them too. Yes, this noble metal is also susceptible to corrosion. True, other metals suffer even more. In this regard, gold is in an advantageous position. He is not in danger of any cleaning with reagents, abrasives or toothbrushes.
Cleaning gold coins requires completely different materials. This metal is significantly different from other metals from which coins are made. Gold is in the group of chemically inert metals.
What does it mean? It is very reluctant to react with other chemical elements. Of course, man tried and found compounds that react with gold. There are various compounds that will dissolve coins without leaving a trace.
For example, a solution of hydrochloric and nitric acids, called “aqua regia”.
But we don't need them. We need several reliable methods that will help bring gold coins to perfect condition. After all, gold does not form a patina, since it does not oxidize. But we all know well that gold is a very soft metal. It follows from this that cleaning gold coins must be carried out very carefully and carefully.
A little history
Previously, gold coins were made only from high-grade gold, which explains the lack of patina. Although later coins do have patina. This indicates impurities that are present in large quantities in the metal. But the gold still gathers dust, becomes covered with dirt, tarnishes and even changes color. This means that it also needs to be put in order. There are only 3 methods that are used to clean this metal.
- Clean with detergents;
- Clean in a soda solution;
- Clean with ammonia.
Laundry soap
Cleaning gold coins with laundry soap
Detergents. This is laundry soap or washing powder. We put it all in a metal container, mix, heat and boil. Naturally, together with gold. After 10-15 minutes, we finish the procedure and begin to remove the gold.
How? It is better to wear household gloves. Gold does not tolerate any metal grips well. There may be scars and just marks from the clamps on the coins.
True, many experts advise not to boil coins, but simply leave them in this solution for several hours.
Soda
Cleaning gold coins with soda
Make a soda solution. Everything is simple here too. All you need is a glass of hot water and a spoon of baking soda. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and add gold to them. Some people recommend adding a little detergent to this composition. After 8 hours, you need to carefully remove the gold and rinse it with clean running water. Sometimes solutions are used: salt and water, sugar and water. Result? Approximately the same, but the soda cleaning method is more common.
Ammonia
Cleaning gold coins with ammonia
How to clean gold coins with ammonia? True, hydrogen peroxide and sometimes shampoo are also used with ammonia. Pour a teaspoon of ammonia and 30 ml of peroxide into a glass of water. Mix the solution well and add gold to it. The wait here is very short - only 15 minutes. After cleaning, rinse the items with water and dry with a very soft cloth.
To summarize, it should be said that the most reliable way to clean gold is to wash gold coins in a warm solution of water and laundry soap. No less important are the operations that must be carried out after cleaning. The coins need to be dried very well and only then will they acquire the desired appearance. This metal should always be treated with care and precision.
Source: https://monetainfo.ru/chistka-zolotyx-monet-kak-i-chem-chistit/
