{"id":160,"date":"2021-10-22T11:29:45","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T11:29:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/?p=160"},"modified":"2021-10-22T11:29:46","modified_gmt":"2021-10-22T11:29:46","slug":"how-to-clean-copper-coins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/articles\/how-to-clean-copper-coins\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Clean Copper Coins Found In The Ground"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re a metal-detecting hobbyist or just curious about a coin you found buried during a walk in the woods, it\u2019s easy to find yourself intrigued about what lies underneath the layers of mud, dirt, and oxidation. It\u2019s therefore useful to know how to clean copper coins found in the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You can clean copper coins found in the ground using a variety of methods, the safest being with distilled water, and the aid of a soft toothbrush. However, as a general rule you should avoid cleaning coins if you\u2019re collecting them, as it can actually diminish their value.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there are many different opinions on how you should clean copper coins. After all, cleaning a coin could cause irreversible damage, impacting its numismatic or even historical value. Read on to discover some safe cleaning methods to use, along with some riskier but satisfying ones too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>It Is Not Recommended To Clean Coins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re going to begin this article by clearly establishing a very important bit of information when it comes to coins: <strong>They should never be cleaned<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the appeal of a shiny copper coin is enough to make anyone curious, the irreversible act of cleaning a coin <strong>could potentially<\/strong> <strong>erase its worth<\/strong>, jeopardize the history it holds, and scupper your chances of selling it on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Believe it or not, in many cases collectors and historians see <strong>more value and appeal in an <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/articles\/how-to-take-care-of-old-coins\/\">old coin<\/a> with its natural patina coating<\/strong> over one which has been cleaned. As long as a date and other inscriptions are still legibly visible, the coin may still be identified and valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may sound backwards, but it\u2019s true! Pursuing that shine may cause the coin to lose its appeal, thus rendering it <strong>less valuable numismatically<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Before You Begin Cleaning Copper Coins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you understand the risks but are still adamantly sure you\u2019d like to pursue a coin-cleaning endeavor, it is <strong>very important to plan ahead<\/strong> and prepare correctly. Before we share some methods to use to <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/articles\/cleaning-old-copper-coins-carefully\/\">clean your copper coins<\/a>, here are some handy tips to help get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have A Trial Run<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s the age-old rule: <strong>Practice makes perfect<\/strong>! You might want to experiment with coin-cleaning on some of your not-so-valuable coppers, ideally ones still in circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re bound to have a few pennies loose in your wallet, some of which will more than likely be rather dirty. Practice some of the below methods on those and see how you get on <strong>before attempting to clean any more-valuable coins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Be Sure Of The Metal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you will have inferred from the title, this guide is designed to help you clean coins made out of copper. It may sound obvious to check which metal you\u2019re dealing with, <strong>but the wrong guess could lead to irreversible damage on a coin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coins minted from silver, nickel, or even gold will <strong>all react differently<\/strong> to various cleaning methods, due to their chemical compositions. So, if the coin in front of you isn\u2019t copper \u2013 this guide won\u2019t be very useful!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of this, it\u2019s also vital that you ensure you\u2019re not mixing coins while you clean them. Not only do different coins require different treatments, but <strong>mixing various metals together during cleaning could cause further undesirable reactions<\/strong>, leaving your coins at risk of being worse off than they were before you began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unsure?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are unsure or don\u2019t feel confident cleaning your coin, then don\u2019t try it! As discussed above, the <strong>risks<\/strong> <strong>of damaging a precious coin far outweigh the benefits<\/strong> of a bit of sparkle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, if you\u2019re still on the fence, take the coin to a dealer. By examining the coin in person, an <strong>experienced coin expert<\/strong> will be able to make recommendations specific to the coin, and help you make a decision on how to clean \u2013 or tell you why you shouldn\u2019t clean \u2013 your find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Effect Of Oxidation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With copper coins in particular, <strong>oxidation<\/strong> <strong>is usually the factor<\/strong> which spurs finders into wanting to clean them up. That naturally occurring green rust is definitely less aesthetically pleasing than a mint condition shine. But what is it, and how can it be removed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Oxidation On Copper?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Oxidation <strong>naturally occurs<\/strong> on copper as a result of the metal\u2019s <strong>exposure to various elements<\/strong>. Both air and saltwater lead to oxidation on copper, so it\u2019s inevitable oxidation will occur on coins lost in the ground over time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, <strong>a blue-green colored coating<\/strong> forms on the copper. Although this may not appear as aesthetically pleasing as the red-brown shine of a newly minted copper coin, this outer layer actually forms a sort of barrier around the coin, protecting it from further exposure to harmful elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This <strong>natural combat<\/strong> is one of the many qualities which deems copper a brilliant choice for coins. A good way to demonstrate this is by comparing the effects of oxidation on copper and on iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you will know, the rust which forms on iron doesn\u2019t securely coat the metal. It can instead be wiped away with ease, leaving the metal vulnerable once more to the elements, thus <strong>risking further damage and corrosion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Copper, meanwhile, <strong>naturally defends itself<\/strong>, making it a durable, long-lasting metal which proved itself a good option for coin minting. The use of copper for money dates all the way back to the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> century BC, and the Royal Mint struck its first penny in the 1700s!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How To Remove Oxidation From Copper Coins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the oxidation barrier occurs as a protectant over the copper, there are various methods you can use to try to remove it. If you have decided cleaning your copper coin \u2013 of oxidation, soil, or anything else it came into contact with when it was in the ground \u2013 read on to determine some <strong>safe, effective methods you can try<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How To Clean Valuable Copper Coins Safely<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below we have highlighted some <strong>safe methods you can use to clean your coppers<\/strong>. Especially if you suspect the coins might hold some value, these options are a good place to start to remove any residue coating from the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Safe Method<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Probably the safest \u2013 and easiest \u2013 method of cleaning copper coins is to <strong>simply use water<\/strong>. Especially with coins caked in thick soil which are unidentifiable without a bit of a wash, this method will help remove the superficial dirt, <strong>without impacting the patina<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All you need to do is <strong>soak your coins in a bowl of hot water overnight<\/strong>. That\u2019s it! Then, you should be able to identify your coin, determine its value, and help you decide whether or not to keep cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But remember that salt water induces oxidation on copper! Similarly, water from a faucet may be chemically treated, which could damage the coin further. Therefore, <strong>distilled water <\/strong>is undeniably the best option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Household Helpers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To add a bit of strength to the above method of soaking your coins, you could always use the aid of some <strong>simple household supplies<\/strong> to help clean those coppers. First of all, try adding a small dash of <strong>liquid hand soap<\/strong> to the bath of distilled water. This will gently help wash away more of the dirt, which can be patted away with <strong>a soft cloth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another idea is to mix a small amount of <strong>baking soda<\/strong> with water and rub it gently over the coin with your <strong>fingers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dry Method<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Copper coins found in the ground may also be cleaned whilst dry. Using a <strong>toothpick<\/strong> to gently scrape away the dirt will help reveal a coin\u2019s inscription, and therefore its value can be better assessed. Similarly, a <strong>soft toothbrush<\/strong> could also be used to gently brush away layers of soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Specialty Products<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A quick search online will pull up hundreds of <strong>specialty products<\/strong> advertising their use as effective copper or coin cleaners. Many of these claims will be valid, and these products are reliable options for cleaning. However, some may have adverse effects you need to <strong>be wary of<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are items such as <strong>glues, soaps, special pens and solvents<\/strong> which many enthusiasts rely on for their cleaning needs. We won\u2019t name any specific brand here, but make sure you read product reviews and test out the cleaner on pennies before you commit to cleaning your valuable coins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your best bet is to ensure you\u2019re choosing products created specifically for coins, and strictly always choose products <strong>directly designed for copper<\/strong>. Silver jewelry cleaner won\u2019t be your friend here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cleaning Non-Valuable Copper Coins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, for all we have stressed about how you shouldn\u2019t clean your coins as it jeopardizes their numismatic value, we must also mention that <strong>coin cleaning can be a fun hobby<\/strong> in itself. Particularly with pennies and coins still in circulation \u2013 which won\u2019t be attracting large demand from collectors any time soon \u2013 cleaning can be a rather <strong>satisfying<\/strong> process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re cleaning old, non-valuable pennies for a hobby, that\u2019s where you can get very creative. <strong>Coca-Cola and Tomato Ketchup<\/strong> are popular products to use to clean pennies, which is a use you may not know these liquids have!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, there is also a lot of high-tech equipment which can be used for coin cleaning. <strong>Ultrasonic cleaners <\/strong>can be intriguing and exciting to use, but perhaps the most satisfying method is to use a <strong>tumbler<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Used primarily for rocks, a tumbler is effectively a <strong>large drum which spins its contents<\/strong> hard and fast, in order to polish up what\u2019s inside. Although this method is highly likely to cause <strong>scratches, dents, or even breakages<\/strong>, using the right tumbler and cleaning medium inside is guaranteed to bring out some shine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, shiny pennies may then be used for all sorts of things, not just spending, but also for crafts, DIY projects, or even just to squash in the <strong>penny press machines<\/strong> you find at tourist attractions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To clean copper coins found in the ground, the safest method by far is to use distilled water and a soft bristled toothbrush. You should avoid cleaning any coin if you\u2019re collecting it, as doing so can damage it and therefore reduce its value.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":162,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":479,"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions\/479"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/162"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcollector.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}