Cleaner coins have a higher chance of being selected for payment.

Cleaner coins have a generally pleasant eye appeal which attracts attention to them.

How well you have cleaned your coin eventually determines how high it will be graded and valued.

Apart from that, they also experience a wide range of environmental conditions and situations during their day-to-day circulation.

Whether you are an amateur, an experienced coin seller or even a scholar, one way or the other, you will definitely come across a coin that is not so appealing to the eye due to its dirty-looking surface.

You will definitely, eventually, reach a point where you consider how to clean and remove dirt or grime from your coin.

If you need your coins to be always good looking, then the best form of cleaning is by protecting them from the need of being cleaned.

These can be achieved by exercising good coin handling practices, which, if properly taken into account, can be of great assistance regardless of the type of coins you are dealing with.

Take your time and check out our professional cleaning guide as outlined below.

How To Handle Coins :-

The way you handle your coins will greatly affect their eventual appearance and eye appeal, which will, in turn, better position them in the coin market.

1. Coin Handling: Always handle coins between your index finger and thumb. This ensures you don’t transfer your body fat, sweat or prints onto the coin.
2. Use Gloves: Soft cotton or latex gloves are a great idea when handling coins.
3. Get A Mask: Talking while handling coins may expose them to your saliva droplets, which contain chemicals that can harm them. A mask may come in handy to save the situation.
4. Soft Cotton Cloth: This acts as a soft pad that cushions coins from hitting each other and during accidental falls.
5. Keep Foods And Drinks Away: When handling coins, always keep them away from foodstuffs and drinks, as droplets from them may interfere with a coin’s surface.

Coins with some kind of tarnish are highly appreciated as an indicator of age and authenticity. So be aware that cleaning coins may wash away their value.

Although you should never clean your coins, since cleaning devalues coins, there comes a time when you may need to clean them.

Below are some basics that can help you in doing it properly and effectively.

Procedure Of Cleaning Coins :-

1. Start by assembling all your cleaning materials to avoid moving around once you start, so the process is continuous from start to finish.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap to ensure they are clean. You can opt to use latex gloves for the best results.
3. Place a soft towel around your cleaning area to serve as a soft landing and drying spot.
4. Prepare a foamy soapy bath by filling a plastic container with warm water.
5. Squeeze a proportional amount of mild dish detergent. Avoid using glass or metallic containers to minimise dents or scratches on the coins.
6. Prepare the final rinse using another plastic container filled with distilled water, which is best for this step. Normal water contains fluoride, which may affect the coin’s surface.
7. Start cleaning your coins one by one to prevent them from knocking against each other.
8. Gently rub the coin with your fingers. You may use a very soft brush to avoid scratching the coin’s surface.
9. Rinse your coin thoroughly with running water until no soap residue remains on its surface.
10. Complete the final rinse with the distilled water previously prepared. These will remove any chemicals present in normal water and soap.
11. Soak the cleaned coin in a vinegar or lemon juice sitz bath for about an hour.
12. Complete the process by carefully drying the coin with the soft towel until it is completely dry.
13. Repeat the full process and steps for all the other coins.
14. Store the coins safely in a cool, dry place to prevent them from developing moisture.

It is never time for cleaning your coins. No matter how dirty, worn out or tarnished they are, the filth is part of their beauty and market value.

Depending on a coin’s metal composition, cleaning techniques may vary because different metals respond differently to cleaning agents.

Below are some crucial metal-specific cleaning tips.

1. Copper Coins: Combine a tablespoon of salt and vinegar to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to the coin and allow a short time before rinsing it.
2. Bronze Coins: Substitute the soapy water with commercial olive oil. Carefully and lightly wash the coin.
3. Silver Coins: Soak the coin in lemon juice before drying to keep it looking fresh and shiny.
4. Gold Coins: Only use warm, soapy distilled water, then dry the coin with a gold cleaning cloth.

Various cleaning techniques can be employed to address different types and forms of grime.

It is beneficial to know how to properly clean different types of coin stains to avoid causing further harm to your coins.

Types Of Coin Stains :-

Take the tips below into account, depending on the type of stain you are trying to remove.

1. Lacquer: This is a loose, unnatural covering on a coin’s surface. Use a prolonged sitz bath of acetone or alcohol to remove these unwanted coverings from a coin.
2. PVC Film:  Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a plastic-like material that can occur on a coin’s surface. To clean this type of grime, soak the coin in acetone for twelve hours.
3. Tarnish: This is a form of corrosion resulting from exposure to moisture and usually causes dullness or loss of brightness on a coin. Be careful when handling this type of stain. Never use an abrasive cleaner. Use a mild dish detergent mixed with salt and vinegar. Rub gently with an extremely soft brush to avoid making hairlines on your coin.
4. Dirt: If your coin has excessive dirt, soak it in olive oil, vinegar, or natural lemon juice for a considerable period, then use a soft brush to gently wash it off.

Always carefully check your coin to confirm the type of stain on its surface so you can properly determine how to clean it.

Coin Cleaning Accessories :-

A serious coin seller wishing to clean their coins may be at an advantage to always have various cleaning agents and accessories nearby.

These may include :-

1. Salt is an excellent additive when combined with other cleaning agents. It helps in removing rust, though it should be used in a dissolved form so as to avoid scratching your coin.
2. Vinegar, which contains mild acetic acid, is essential because it helps reduce and remove corrosion on coins.
3. Tomato Ketchup contains citric acid, which is useful in dissolving oxides that have settled on a coin’s surface.
4. Cokes and Colas are sure additives that easily cut through the grime that has settled on a coin’s surface.
5. Lemon juice is a great accompaniment that easily removes tarnish from coins.
6. Always use a soft brush, latex gloves, plastic containers and soft towels when cleaning coins.

Certain general coin-cleaning tips are essential to sum up.

These include making sure you avoid strong or excessive scrubbing, which essentially gives your coin a brilliant and shiny look but, in fact, removes the much sought-after lustre on the coin.

Tap water contains chlorine, which can adversely affect your coins.

Endeavour always to use vinegar and iodised salt combined with distilled water.

Using this procedure is the best non-destructive way of cleaning your coins.