Coin collecting is a fascinating hobby that connects us to history, but maintaining the condition of old coins requires careful consideration. When it comes to finding the right old coin cleaner, collectors face a delicate balance between preservation and restoration. While various cleaning products and methods exist, understanding when and how to use them can mean the difference between preserving a coin’s value and accidentally destroying it.
Understanding the Risks of Cleaning Old Coins
Before diving into specific old coin cleaner products, it’s essential to understand a fundamental principle in numismatics: cleaning coins, especially valuable or collectible ones, can significantly decrease their value. This counterintuitive concept often surprises new collectors who assume that a shinier, cleaner coin would be more valuable.
Why Cleaning Can Damage Value
The natural aging process creates what collectors call “patina” or “toning” on coins. This natural coloration and surface texture is highly prized by collectors and professional grading services like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). When you use an old coin cleaner, you risk:
- Removing valuable patina that authenticates the coin’s age
- Creating microscopic scratches that reduce the coin’s grade
- Altering the natural surface texture that collectors value
- Decreasing market appeal among serious numismatists
When Cleaning Might Be Acceptable
While the general rule is to avoid cleaning, there are limited circumstances where gentle cleaning might be considered:
- Environmental contaminants like dirt, oil, or modern pollutants
- Coins intended for circulation rather than collection
- Common date coins with minimal numismatic value
- Severely damaged coins where cleaning won’t significantly impact value
Commercial Old Coin Cleaner Products
The market offers various specialized products designed as old coin cleaner solutions. Each product targets specific types of coins and cleaning challenges, but all should be used with extreme caution.
E-Z-Est Coin Cleaner
E-Z-Est Coin Cleaner stands out as one of the most widely recognized products in the numismatic community. This old coin cleaner is formulated to brighten coins while removing grime and discoloration that accumulates over time.
Key Features:
- Compatible with copper, gold, and silver coins
- Removes tarnish and surface oxidation
- Brightens dulled surfaces
- Professional-grade formulation
Important Limitations:
- Should not be used on stainless steel surfaces
- Avoid contact with lacquered surfaces
- Not suitable for platinum coins
- Dangerous for artificially oxidized silver
The higher price point of approximately $75 reflects its professional-grade formulation and effectiveness, but users must carefully follow instructions to avoid damage.
Conserv Safe Coin Cleaning Solvent
For collectors seeking a more affordable old coin cleaner, Conserv Safe Coin Cleaning Solvent offers a specialized solution designed for metal coins and relics. Priced around $18-20, this product provides good value for occasional cleaning needs.
This solvent is particularly useful for:
- Archaeological finds requiring gentle cleaning
- Metal detecting discoveries with heavy soil deposits
- General maintenance of common coins
- Relic restoration projects
Nic-A-Rag Products
The Nic-A-Rag product line offers both cleaning solutions and accessories for coin maintenance. Their approach focuses on gentle, non-abrasive cleaning methods.
#### Nic-A-Rag Soft Cleaning Cloth
The basic Nic-A-Rag is a specially designed soft cloth that can be used for:
- Gentle polishing without scratching
- Drying coins after water cleaning
- Removing fingerprints and light surface dirt
- Maintaining various collectibles including tokens, medals, and fossils
#### Nic-a-rag Nic-a-lene Coin Cleaner Kit
This comprehensive kit combines the cleaning cloth with a specialized cleaning solution, providing a complete old coin cleaner system for around $18. The kit approach ensures compatibility between the cleaning agent and application method.
Specialized Cleaners
#### Coin Care Cleaner
Designed specifically for copper coins, Coin Care Cleaner addresses the unique challenges of copper oxidation and corrosion. This targeted old coin cleaner removes soil and contaminants while attempting to preserve the natural finish that copper develops over time.
Copper coins present unique challenges because:
- Copper oxidizes rapidly when exposed to air and moisture
- Green patina formation can be either valuable or problematic
- Cleaning copper requires different techniques than precious metals
#### Coin Cleaner and Protector Kit
For collectors maintaining diverse collections, comprehensive kits offer versatility. These old coin cleaner systems typically include:
- Multi-metal compatibility for gold, silver, and vintage coins
- Protective solutions to prevent future tarnishing
- Application tools for safe handling
- Instructions for different coin types
Safe DIY Cleaning Methods
When commercial old coin cleaner products aren’t available or appropriate, several household methods can provide gentle cleaning for less valuable coins.
Distilled Water Method
The safest approach to cleaning old coins involves distilled water only:
- Rinse gently under lukewarm distilled water
- Avoid scrubbing or applying pressure
- Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth
- Allow air drying to prevent water spots
This method effectively removes:
- Surface dirt and debris
- Water-soluble contaminants
- Recent fingerprints
- Light environmental deposits
Gentle Soap Solution
For slightly more stubborn contamination, a weak soap solution can serve as a mild old coin cleaner:
Preparation:
- Mix a few drops of gentle liquid soap with distilled water
- Ensure the solution is very dilute
- Avoid dish soap which can be too harsh
- Test on a common coin first
Application:
- Gently immerse the coin
- Allow soaking rather than scrubbing
- Rinse thoroughly with distilled water
- Dry completely before storage
Baking Soda Paste for Silver
Silver coins prone to tarnishing may benefit from a gentle baking soda treatment:
Creating the Paste:
- Mix baking soda with small amounts of distilled water
- Create a paste consistency
- Ensure the mixture isn’t gritty
Application Process:
- Apply gently with a soft brush or cloth
- Work in circular motions with minimal pressure
- Rinse thoroughly with distilled water
- Dry immediately to prevent water spots
Professional Considerations and Expert Advice
When to Consult Professionals
Before using any old coin cleaner on valuable coins, consider professional consultation:
- Rare or key date coins require expert assessment
- High-grade specimens (MS-65 and above) should never be cleaned without professional advice
- Questionable authenticity coins need expert evaluation
- Significant monetary value warrants professional conservation
Professional Grading Services
Organizations like PCGS and NGC offer conservation services that:
- Safely remove environmental damage
- Preserve numismatic value
- Maintain authenticity
- Provide certification of the conservation process
Working with Numismatists
Experienced coin dealers and numismatists can provide:
- Value assessments before cleaning decisions
- Cleaning recommendations for specific coins
- Market insights about collector preferences
- Conservation referrals for valuable pieces
Best Practices for Coin Maintenance
Prevention Over Cleaning
The best old coin cleaner strategy is often prevention:
- Proper storage in acid-free holders
- Climate control to prevent moisture damage
- Gentle handling with cotton gloves
- Regular inspection without touching surfaces
Storage Solutions
Appropriate storage prevents the need for cleaning:
- Coin flips for temporary storage
- Hard plastic holders for valuable coins
- Albums with archival pages for collections
- Safe deposit boxes for high-value items
Handling Techniques
Proper handling reduces contamination:
- Hold coins by edges only
- Use cotton gloves when necessary
- Work over soft surfaces to prevent drops
- Avoid breathing directly on coin surfaces
Conclusion
Selecting the right old coin cleaner requires careful consideration of the coin’s value, condition, and intended use. While products like E-Z-Est Coin Cleaner, Conserv Safe Solvent, and Nic-A-Rag systems offer effective cleaning solutions, the fundamental principle remains: when in doubt, don’t clean.
For valuable or collectible coins, the risks of cleaning almost always outweigh the potential benefits. The natural patina and aging that develops on old coins is often more valuable than a artificially brightened surface. When cleaning is necessary, gentle methods using distilled water or mild soap solutions present the lowest risk of damage.
Remember that professional conservation services exist for truly valuable pieces, and consulting with experienced numismatists can save both money and irreplaceable historical artifacts. The goal of any old coin cleaner should be preservation of both the coin’s physical integrity and its numismatic value for future generations of collectors.
Whether you choose commercial products or gentle DIY methods, always prioritize the long-term preservation of your coins over short-term aesthetic improvements. The most successful collectors understand that sometimes the best cleaning is no cleaning at all.
How to clean a 200 year old coin?
Good point! A soak in warm, soapy water followed by a rinse and air-dry is probably the safest method, and it’ll remove loose dirt and surface grime. A soak in acetone (pure, not nail polish remover) followed by an air-dry will work for more stubborn organic gunk.
Which liquid cleans coins the best?
I can help with that. Acetone is the only thing you can use that will do anything and not mess with the coin.
Is Coca-Cola good for cleaning old coins?
Great question! Q: Will Coca Cola clean old coins? Can you clean coins with soda? A: YES! Both Coke and Pepsi (dark colas) will effectively remove the natural patina from coins. The results are more noticeable with copper coins like pennies, rather than silver-colored coins like nickels, dimes, and quarters.