Coin Cleaning

How To Clean Silver Coins

When real silver coins become exposed to the air, they tend to oxidize.  This is the source of the brown or blackish layer that often forms on silver, and is referred to as tarnish.  It's caused by the silver coming into contact with airborne sulfur.

That means that the only way to stop this process from occurring is to isolate your coin completely from the air.  Some do seal their coins or coat them in special substances to keep air from contacting them, but most collectors prefer to simply clean their coins from time to time instead, to keep them looking good.  Since most coins are exposed to the air, you'll need to clean yours occasionally.

There are several different ways you can clean silver coins without damaging them.  Just remember that not every coin should be cleaned.  That's because older coins, such as those from the Roman era, look better with a light patina.  They're usually considered more valuable if they haven't been cleaned.

One way to clean your silver coins is by using a weak acid.  Lemon juice is a common choice - just place the coin in a bath of lemon juice or diluted lemon juice for anywhere from a few hours to a day.  How long the coin will need to stay in the acid bath will depend on the thickness of the oxidation.

Then, just take your coin out and clean it gently, using a soft brush.  Rinse it and dry it using a soft cloth or tissue.  Adding some iron - such as a nail - to the bath will make the tarnish come off more quickly.  Don't leave the coin in the lemon bath as long in this case - about half an hour.

If you want to clean a coin that only has a few spots or tarnish, rather than an all over coating, consider using warm vinegar, sour milk, or another weak acid.  Apply it using a soft tissue, or even half a raw potato.  Then scrub with a soft brush as described above, rinse and dry.

Commercial silver cleaners are also available if your coins are heavily oxidized.  They can remove tarnish in only a few seconds.  This is one of the chief benefits of these cleaners, but also one of the big problems.  They clean so effectively and so quickly that you can't leave a little tarnish on the surface of the coin to improve its appearance.

That means you should only use these types of cleaners on coins that you'd like to have look shiny and new.  For coins that will look better with a few signs of age, one of the other methods is usually a better choice.

These are all methods meant to be used for coins already in your collection.  If you're planning to sell coins, you probably don't want to clean them at all.  Many other collectors would rather receive their coins still tarnished, then clean them as they choose.

That way, they know there's been no damage done in the cleaning process.  Sometimes a coin covered in ugly brown or black tarnish is worth more than it would be clean, especially if it's been cleaned incorrectly or too thoroughly.  So, clean your coins with care!