Cleaning Coins

[John Fox]

I have recently inherited some coins some of which are dirty. Is there a safe way of cleaning the dirt from them?

[joggerjayne]

Vinegar, but not for too long.

[abstract]

metal polish,but if they're valuable and your worried about damaging them,then take them to the jewellers and let them clean it!

[poohshunny]

sonic jewellery cleaner

[abstract]

if they're REALLY VALUABLE then why not send it to my brand new coin cleaning business,il give you the p.o box address later!

[Lie-in King]

Lol - "I'M BARRY SCOTT - USE CILLIT BANG!"

Sorry, been a looooong couple of days! :-)

[abstract]

hahaha! bang! and your coins are gone!

[Abdulmajid]

Coca Cola worked for my some family war medals without causing any erosion.

Let them soak over night and they will be as good as new.

[abstract]

and then your left with coina cola!

[compman]

Don't be in a hurry to clean them, you may destroy the 'patina' that has built up over the years.

If you intend to keep them then, fair enough, do what you want with them, but if you're possibly thinking of selling them, then get professional advice first.

[John Fox]

Thank you one and all!

[gucciman]

dont laugh but if there copper try rubbing them with brown sauce

[Jugglering]

Brown sauce, ketchup, coca cola, baked bean sauce etc contain vinegar which is acidic. Soaking the coins in an acidic or vinegar mix (as Jayne mentions) will mean that any patina and dirt is easily removed by rubbing BUT please take Compman's advice first and check out their worth before removing dirt and patina.

[Catron]

Please, if you think they might be valuable, do NOT try to clean them at all - you could destroy their worth by as much as 90%.