Hobbies And Interests
Silver Cleaner
Apply a generous amount of silver cleaner to a soft cloth. With the coin in your opposite hand, work the cloth into the coin, starting at the center and rubbing toward the outside of the coin. This motion loosens the grime locked into the ridges of the coin and reduces the chance of scratching. Rinse the coins with water and wipe them dry with a different towel.
Acidic Cleanse
Cut a raw potato in half and soak it briefly in vinegar, sour milk or another acidic fluid. Rub the potato over the affected coins before rinsing them thoroughly with water and drying with paper or a soft cloth.
Lemon Acid
If you don't have professional cleaning supplies at your disposal, lemon acid is an inexpensive alternative. Submerge the affected coins in a bath of lemon acid for a period of time ranging from a few hours to one day, depending on the amount of soot caked on the coins. Remove the coins and rub them with a soft-bristled brush, rinse them with water and dry them with paper or a soft cloth.
Detergent
Fill a small container with warm water and a small amount of mild dish detergent. Pick up a coin and place it in the bath, working the grime away with your fingers in the same manner as described in Section 1. Remove and dry the coin before moving on to the next one.