How to Clean Copper Coins at Home

Beginning collectors and fortunetellers, in whose hands were the ancient copper pennies, rubles, money, fifty kopecks, altynniki or hryvnia, examining them, are thinking: how to clean an old copper coin? And, as it turned out, the most common mistake they make is trying to return the coin to shine. And this greatly reduces its market value! After all, in the process of cleaning, the main thing is not to overdo it and not to deprive a coin of a noble patina that emphasizes its antiquity! We will try at home to clear coins and not to damage the collection.

What's worth remembering for a beginner

Of course, it is better if your rarities are cleared by a professional, but you can also cope with this task yourself. To begin with, the numismatist must remember that the natural oxides on the ancient copper coin, which are dark brown, and sometimes black, are called patina. You can not delete them! They not only give value to your rarity, but also protect it from the destructive effects of the environment. Consider the patina - if it is even, then just wash your coin with warm water and wipe it with a soft cloth.

The citric acid will help in cleaning the coins

In cases where the oxide layer is uneven and thick, it needs to be removed. To do this, several methods are used. To begin with, it is worth learning how to clean copper coins with the help of citric acid, which can be purchased at any supermarket.

• The three parts of the acid are dissolved in seven parts of water, thus obtaining a 30% solution.
• In it, lower the coin and wait no more than 15 minutes.
• As a result of the chemical reaction, cleansing will occur, and dirt will rise to the surface.
• Do not worry if the coin acquires a pinkish tinge - in a few weeks it will change.
• After restoration with acid, the coin needs to be washed in water with soap containing alkali, so that the effect of acid on the metal ceases.

Sometimes, for the best result, a repetition of the cleaning process is required.

Is it possible to use laundry soap?

Cleaning the collection can be done in a different, more secure way. Numismatists perfectly know how to clean copper coins with soap. To do this, it is scraped on a fine grater and a solution is prepared (ratio: 1 part of soap and 8 parts of water), stirring it thoroughly. Coins are placed in soapy water for two weeks. Periodically, water is put on the fire and heated, not leading up to a boil. Dirt from the coins during this time will begin to descend, however, sometimes (especially if the oxide layer is thick), you have to apply additional efforts for cleaning (for example, brushing them with a soft toothbrush), but most often it is enough to rub this coin with a cloth.

By the way, with the help of soap it is best to restore the old royal coins and Soviet coins , issued before 1924. And more modern such cleaning can spoil!

How to clean copper coins from greens and other stains

In order to save the collection material from stains, it can be boiled over low heat in oil. A good result can be obtained using petroleum jelly, since it has a fairly high boiling point. Namely, it is required for successful cleaning.

Coins withstand in boiling oil for 10 minutes, do not forget to just cover the container with a lid to avoid soot. Then they are allowed to cool and washed with soap. Do not forget to drop the coin for a few minutes into ethyl alcohol to remove the fat. After this procedure, it can take a worthy place in your collection.

How to clean copper coins from oxidation

If the coin is covered with a dark cherry plaque of cuprous oxide, it can be removed by immersing the coin in a 15% solution of ammonia (instead of it, a 10% solution of ammonium carbonate is used, which is less aggressive with respect to copper).

The dark green color indicates the presence of copper carbonate. This plaque is removed with citric acid (and how, it was described above). A less aggressive way is to hold coins in kefir for 2-3 hours. Do not forget to periodically look at the process of purification.

Sometimes there are also coins that cover a pale yellow coating of carbonate lead. This, as a rule, indicates that there is a lot of metal in its alloy or that it has been lying with lead items for a long time. This plaque is well removed with a 10% solution of acetic acid.

What to do if there is rust on the coin

If you are concerned about how to clean copper coins from rust, you will need to use a slow-action reagent. This is Trilon B. The thicker the layer of rust, the longer the coin will have to lie in the reagent.

And some numismatists advise carrying out purification with the help of Coca-Cola. This method, although it seems somewhat strange, but, nevertheless, very effective.

Dry the coins after cleaning

After you have cleared the copper coins from dirt and oxides, you need to dry them. To do this, it is best to use paper towels, folded in several layers, and on top to cover your cleaned object of antiquity with another towel. Use for this only soft - so you will not scratch the surface of the coin! By the way, it can be completely dried in a drying oven at a temperature of 100 ° C. And in order to prevent and slow down the oxidation process, periodically rub the collection material with a crumpled newspaper.

What if the copper coin lost a noble patina?

If you still overdid it or for some reason you had to completely clear the coin, you can restore the patina layer by artificially aging the product. True, brushed coins eventually acquire a patina, but it can look uneven and this greatly spoils the appearance of the collection material. To avoid this, the coin is degreased and lowered for 15 seconds in a 10% solution of hyposulfite, and after drying it is wiped with a soft cloth. The described operation will help to appear on the subject of antiquity a smooth and beautiful patina.

Helpful Tips

If you still do not know how to clean copper coins, then you should practice on less valuable products and only then go to the most expensive pieces of your collection. In the case when the coin as a result of cleaning has become unnaturally bright, put it on the sunny window sill, where in a week it will get its normal appearance. True, we must not forget to turn it regularly.

If you get a coin, struck by the so-called "bronze disease", then it is better to give it to a professional restorer. To distinguish such it is possible on oxides on its surface, similar to light green grains. And the coin itself, as a rule, is severely destroyed and crumbles if it is picked up.

A few words at a time

We hope that after reading the question of how to clean copper coins at home, it will not seem too difficult for you. But still I want to warn you that the most expensive and rare specimens of your collection should be given to a specialist. Otherwise, it may turn out that your rarity is hopelessly ruined.

By the way, tooth powder, pasta, salt, baking soda and sand are substances that can cause irreparable damage to the appearance of the collection material. After all, all this - abrasive substances that can scratch the surface of the coin and, accordingly, reduce its value.

Good luck in the restoration and collecting!