How to clean ancient coins

How to clean ancient coins?

Should I clean my coins?

One of the questions I get asked most often is "How should I clean my coin collection?" Actually, the answer I give is very simple and always the same: you should not clean your coins. That is a rule that applies in the vast majority of cases. Why? Because the most likely result of cleaning will be that you will damage your collection.

Believe it or not, one of the most common mistakes made by beginners is the improper cleaning of their coins. Many times they irreparably damage them and cause them to lose their value, especially if they use abrasive commercial products, which, due to their acid composition, remove part of the metal from the surface. The result will be a coin with an artificial brightness that will alert any potential buyer.

The same can happen if you try to clean a coin using a brush. No matter how soft the bristles of the brush, it is very likely that they will end up scratching the surface of the coin and causing it to lose value.

Collectors strive to acquire coins that are as natural and damage free as possible and they will have no interest whatsoever in a coin that has been improperly cleaned

The formation of a patina depends on the metallic composition of the coin and is the result of a natural chemical process that takes a long time. The patina is a thin film that forms on the surface coins made of copper or other alloys due to oxidation. In the case of silver coins a similar process is usually called “toning”. Patina and intonation reflect the age of a coin and add aesthetic and economic value to it. If we clean a coin, it is most likely that we will eliminate or damage its patina or intonation, erasing in this way a good part of its history and beauty.

The only exception to the rule

One of the rare cases in which a coin should be cleaned is if it has become dirty with dust, grease left by fingers, or some other type of dirt due to improper handling or storage. In that case, it is always best to use distilled water (because running water contains chlorine that can damage the coin) and, if necessary, a bit of a mild neutral soap. The operation must be done with extreme care to avoid scratching the surface of the coin. For drying, it is best to let it dry alone or use a hot air to speed up the process.