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How to Clean a Silver Half Dollar

Silver coins--including the silver half dollar--form a brown or black oxidized layer that covers the coin over time as the coin is exposed to the air. This is a chemical reaction that is caused by small amounts of sulfur in the air. It is, however, possible to clean a silver half dollar and restore it to its original appearance.

Things You'll Need

Lemons
Clean cloth
Soft brush
Water
Iron nails

Instructions

- 1
  Squeeze several lemons into a glass so that the lemon juice covers the bottom of the glass. The number of silver half dollars you want to clean will determine the exact number of lemons you will need to use.
- 2
  Place several iron nails in the lemon juice.
- 3
  Carefully place the silver half dollar at the button of the lemon juice. Make sure the coin is fully submerged and covered by the lemon juice.
- 4
  Observe the coin in the lemon solution. Typically, it will take less than 30 minutes to remove the oxidation layer from a coin.
- 5
  Remove the silver half dollar from the solution as soon as the oxidation layer has disappeared.
- 6
  Brush the coin carefully with a clean, soft brush.
- 7
  Rinse the coin with water.
- 8
  Dry the silver half dollar with a clean, soft cloth.

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