How is coin cleaning done?

Methods of cleaning depend on the metal from which the coin is made. It is most difficult at home to bring in a normal appearance copper, brass, bronze coins. Due to the effects of air, they are covered with a dark bloom. It can be black, green or blue (sometimes it is taken for mold). The thing is that there are water vapor, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide in the air. Depending on the chemical composition that affected the coin, the color of the plaque is also determined.

• Red and cherry bloom color is formed as a result of cuprous oxide. You can get rid of it by dipping the product into a 5-15% solution of ammonia. It is important to completely immerse the coin in the solution, since the additional exposure to air will have a negative effect on the metal. On bronze and silver coins , a 5-10% solution of ammonium carbonate can be used.
• In the yellowish color of the plaque, acetic acid is used. Ideal if it is 10%.
• The easiest way is to clean off the whitish coating. It is enough to leave a coin for a couple of days in distilled water and then clean the product with a soft brush.
• With a black touch is more difficult. First, the surface should be wiped with a tampon soaked in ammonia, after rinsing the coin in a warm soapy solution. Another way is to use a vinegar test. You need to mix a small spoonful of flour with the same amount of vinegar and the resulting mixture immediately rub the coin. After drying, the surface can be cleaned with a soft cloth or brush.
• Cleaning coins, which include tin, is different from others. To do this, you can use a deep-fryer. Oil is better to use Vaseline, but vegetable oil is also suitable. It should be taken into account that the boiling point of the oil is higher than that of water.

Cleaning silver coins has its own characteristics. You can use ordinary baking soda for it. It must be dissolved in a small amount of water and the resulting gruel to clean the surface. The same method can be used to give shine. If the cleaning of coins involves the removal of green plaque, then it is better to use a solution of sulfuric acid. It must be poured into a porcelain cup, put a coin in it. After a while, get it, brush it and immerse it in acid again. Repeat this action until you get a satisfactory result.

A modern way is to clean coins by electrolysis. When using the device, do not forget about safety. The process of cleaning the coins takes a few minutes, it all depends on the thickness of the dirt. Especially hard-to-reach places of the coin need to be cleaned with a knife.

Cleaning of coins can be made by specialists. They have more different reagents and they can keep the specimen intact and unharmed. Many newcomers unknowingly spoiled the coins when they attempted to clean them themselves. Therefore, if you doubt the origin of your find, it is better to provide cleaning to professionals. So you save the instance. If you subsequently decide to sell a coin, then its appearance will be a decisive factor in the formation of the price.