Clean Your Us Coins Without Damaging Them
For coin collectors, the maintenance of the coin is a big factor. It is important to remember that your coins are very delicate. They should not be cleaned with metal polish of any sort. If your coins are old or are heirloom pieces, don’t worry about whatever dirt or dust that has accumulated on top of the coin. If you have older coins, do not attempt to get rid of any sort of oxidation or anything that appears as deep tarnishes. Remember, the tiny little imperfections on the coin add to their value. So, be careful.
However, if you’re just starting your collection or if you’re handling fairly new coins, follow these easy steps. You’ll get your coins safely clean in no time.
- First, prepare the following materials. You’ll need a mild dishwashing detergent, a soft towel, two plastic containers and some distilled water. Also, work next to a faucet so you can easily get tap water.
- Begin the cleaning process by washing your hands using a gentle soap. This step will get rid of all the excess oils as well as the dirt that may be on your fingers. Next, lay the towel on your work surface. This will ensure that if you drop the coins while cleaning them, they will land on a soft surface. Also, you can use the towel when you are drying the coins.
- In order to get the coins clean, fill one plastic container with warm water from the faucet. Remember to use a container made of plastic since metal materials may damage your coins. When you’ve filled the container, squirt a couple drops of dishwashing liquid on it.
- Of course, you’ll need to rinse the coins, so get the other container and pour the distilled water in it.
- When the containers are ready, get your first coin and submerge it in the container with soapy water. Use your fingers to gently rub off any dirt. Remember that the soap should be enough to loosen the dirt so there’s no need to be aggressive with the rubbing. When you think you’ve cleaned off as much dirt as you can, put the coin under running tap water, making sure all residues of the soap are gone.
- Lastly, dip the coin in the container with distilled water. Swish it around the water in order to remove any sort of chemical that may have been in the tap water. Be extra careful on the coin surface and make sure you only hold it by the edges. As a final step, gently place the coin on the towel and let it dry.
Keep in mind that you have to clean the coins one at a time. You cannot dunk all the coins in the soapy water. The contact may damage the surfaces. Pay close attention to each coin and adjust the cleaning accordingly. If a coin has more dirt or grit, you can keep it in the soapy water for a while. Lastly, once the coin has dried completely, make sure you transfer it to a different container safely. Handle it by the edges and do not touch the faces.
Azman is the owner of US Coins Collector. You can see more useful articles related to US Coins by visiting the website.
Tags: collectibles, coin maintenance, Coins, us coins, Clean Your