Best way to clean old coins

[dartagnon]

I've came across a jar of coins, both old and new and most of them are pretty grubby. You can make out details on some of them and the earliest one seems to be 1787. I remember from my childhood that vinegar was the usual method, but some workmates have suggested brown sauce; salt water; mayonnaise and even milk. Does anyone know if any of these methods would work and I forgot to mention that some of the coins are silver in case that makes a difference. I remember the Cillit Bang advert used a coin, but was that genuine?.
All advice gratefully accepted and thanks in anticipation.

[dothawkes31]

Don't clean them.

[dothawkes31]

^ that was my first instinct and so i have googled 'cleaning old coins and this is the first hit:

Cleaning Coins
Coin Cleaning Rules | Cleaning Different Coin Types | Cleaning Coins Process | Drying Coins

The first rule of coin cleaning is: If you don't know its value, don't clean it, or if you think it is valuable, don't clean it, or if you know it is valuable, don't clean it. In other words, do not clean your discovered coins; leave them untouched and stored in proper holders. The reason for this is that coin dealers and collectors are interested in purchasing coins in their original condition and natural state of preservation.

[boxtops]

I believe you can use coca-cola quite successfully. However if the coins are really old and likely to be valuable, I suggest that you don't clean them - their dirtiness may be valued. I would seek advice from a coin dealer before cleaning them up. Have a look here
http://www.mycoincoll...g/cleaning-coins.html

[KARL]

Second that

[bobjugs12]

According to the adverts, use Cillit Bang. Barry Scott does it all the time

[KARL]

.....the very first response. Do not do anything except keep them dry, unless you want to risk devaluing them for collector's purposes - a specialist might advise well on cleaning methods but not us ordinary folk.

[dartagnon]

Wow, I'm amazed at the speed and I'll go and retrieve the two I put in vinegar seconds before I posted this question. Thanks everyone, I knew I could rely on you.

[dothawkes31]

my brother became a numismatist when he was 8 and I remember we used to dig coins up in the garden that had been dropped when the Earl of Derby had owned the house and Mum got my brother a book on it from Ormskirk Library

[society]

Does you brother still have those coins, Dot? Bet they now worth more than their value.