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How to Clean Rare Coins

Collecting coins is a pastime that can be enjoyed by anyone. Occasionally there will be one in the collection that turns out be rare or worth a surprising amount. Perhaps only in the world of coin collecting is the item worth more if it's dirty. That being said, the decision to clean rare coins should take a little thought and research before the act is carried out. If you decide that clean shiny coins are what you really want, there are several ways to accomplish this.

Things You'll Need

Dish Acetone Dish soap Toothbrush Clean soft cloth Olive oil Aluminum foil Baking soda

Instructions

Cleaning Coins with Acetone
- 1
  Separate the coins by the types of metal and place them into shallow dishes.
- 2
  Pour enough acetone over the coins to cover them completely and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes.
- 3
  Remove the coins from the acetone by either pouring them into a strainer or emptying the acetone into the sink and rinsing them with warm water.
- 4
  Wash the coins with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush such as an old toothbrush. It may be helpful to use a toothpick for stubborn dirt in hard to reach areas.
- 5
  Pat the coins dry with a soft clean dry towel.
Cleaning Coins with Olive Oil
- 6
  Separate the coins by the different types of metal and place them into dishes.
- 7
  Pour olive oil over the coins ensuring that they are completely covered.
- 8
  Allow the coins to soak for at least two weeks.
- 9
  Wash the coins with warm soapy water and a toothbrush to remove any residual dirt.
- 10
  Dry the coins by patting them dry with a soft clean dry towel.
Cleaning Coins with Baking Soda
- 11
  Line a pan or dish with aluminum foil.
- 12
  Place only silver coins in the dish and sprinkle baking soda over them liberally.
- 13
  Pour enough boiling hot water in the dish to completely cover the coins.
- 14
  Allow the coins to sit in the water until it has cooled enough to pull the coins out with your hands.
- 15
  Polish the coins with a soft clean cloth.

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