We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

How do I Clean Coins?

By Jenelle Sprague
Updated Feb 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

When it comes to cleaning a coin the rule is if the coin is valuable or if the coin has an unknown value, then the best thing to do is to either leave the coin in its present condition or seek a professional coin dealer or collector to evaluate the coin. The reason why it is not recommended to clean a coin that has a known or unknown value is due to the way that a coin is valued by coin dealers. In most cases, when an old coin has been cleaned by anyone other than a professional the coins value is depreciated due to the damage to the coins delicate finish caused by the amateur cleaning.

Although consulting a professional coin collector or dealer is strongly recommended when considering cleaning a coin, there is a method to clean coins that is recommended by the United States Mint. This method to clean coins consists of simply taking a piece of cotton that has been moistened and applying a paste that consists of baking soda and a small amount of water to the coin. Be careful to rub the coin gently to avoided damaging the coin's original finish. Harsh chemicals or cleaning methods like jewelry cleaners, sulfuric acids, vinegar, polishing cloths, hard bristled brushes, and rock tumblers must be avoided, if any of these harsh chemicals or cleaning methods are used when attempting to clean coins the coin will most likely be damaged and decrease in value.

Remember it is not recommended to clean any coin without assessing its value first, after the coin's value is known and has been identified--in most cases, cleaning valuable coins is not recommended even if the cleaning is done by a professional. The reason cleaning valuable, and in most cases old, coins is not recommended is because the value of most coins is judged by how the original condition is maintained.

The best way to preserve a coin to prevent it from losing its original finish is to keep it in a collector's book or case, away from damp or wet areas to prevent corroding, and to handle the coin by touching only its sides. By only touching a coin's sides, the finish is less likely to be damaged by the oils that every person contains in their skin.

Cleaning a coin is serious task, if done incorrectly the value of the coin could drop dramatically, since clean coins are not always valuable coins. This is why the cleaning of a coin should only be done by a coin dealer or collector if the value of the coin is of any importance. If the value of the coin is not important to its collector than the United States Mint recommended method for coin cleaning is the best method to use for clean coins.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By anon44910 — On Sep 11, 2009

I have used acetone to remove the sticky residue from the coins. In my case they were low value Indian Cents, but this should work with silver or gold coins just as well. This does not hurt the coin surface if done properly. If acetone doesn't work, you can also try paint thinner.

Acetone is a flammable liquid. Use in a well ventilated area, no smoking, keep out of reach of children, etc.

What you will want to do is to pour some of the solvent into a glass jar that has a lid, and put the coins in to soak for at a couple of hours - with the lid on. The residue should dissolve into the acetone or turn into a "goo" that you can then wipe off with a piece of soft cloth. It should come right off without rubbing. If it doesn't either soak longer or try a different solvent. Try one or two coins first before you dump the whole bunch in.

Rinse the coins in a little bit more clean solvent, then allow them to dry. There is no need to rub the coins dry -- the solvent will simply evaporate. This will also remove any grease that has deposited itself on the surface. So you may find that they have a "dry" look to them.

By anon43520 — On Aug 29, 2009

I recently inherited coins from my father. He

assembled many of them on card or paper stock. They were attached with pieces of rolled

masking or scotch tape. The coins now have s sticky adhesive area on them. Does anyone have any ideas how to remove it?

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.