How can you clean the coins of the USSR 1961 1992. Cleaning the bronze coins of the USSR. Vinegar and salt

In this review, we will touch on the topic of cleaning coins with simple household chemicals. We must say right away that only the simplest coins can be cleaned with such chemistry. If you have rare coins like two kopecks from 1925 or 1927 in your hands, then using household chemicals to clean them is like signing a death warrant on them. And when it is carried out, it will be impossible to return to the previous state.

CILLIT was chosen for express cleaning. According to the manufacturer, it is designed to remove limescale and rust. We will check how the metals from which domestic coins are made react to it. And how well he can clean coins of varying degrees of "killedness". The Internet is full of rave reviews about how wonderfully it improves the appearance of plumbing. But what's good for plumbing isn't always good for coins.

As prototypes, we took seven samples of metals from which the following coins were minted:

1. Aluminum bronze - 1 kopeck 1926 and 1 kopeck 1930

2. Nickel silver of the USSR - two coins in denominations of 1 ruble 1964

3. Brass of the USSR - 3 kopecks 1985

4. Copper - half a penny 1927

5. Melchior - 20 kopecks 1932 and 15 kopecks 1956

6. Modern weather nickel silver - 1 ruble 1999

7. Brass of modern weather - two coins of 50 kopecks 1998

As we can see, the condition of the coins is from average scall to frankly irreparable. Just such samples should be used for experiments. First of all, the coins should be placed in a soapy solution to clean off the layer of compressed dust and dirt. In a soapy solution, it will get wet and detach itself from the surface of the coin. If we try to tear it off a dry coin, we will spoil it irreparably. Soap solution made from laundry soap is a spectacle of low artistic value, so instead we will post a photo of the arsenal of chemicals we recruited to help.

After cleaning, place the coins in a bath with CILLIT chemical agent. While the tool destroys old dirt and patina, let's analyze the main mistakes that can occur during such cleaning.

1. If the coin has a natural luster, this cleaning is not suitable for it. Aggressive environment will destroy it forever! And no amount of rubbing will bring back that shine. Experienced collectors instantly distinguish natural shine from chemical polishing. Therefore keep coins with a natural sheen away from CILLIT and use gentle cleaning methods to clean them.

2. It is necessary to constantly monitor the appearance of coins in solution. Chemical processes bring copper to the surface of the coins in which it is included. Therefore, coins that are golden in color become scarlet. Even copper-nickel can become scarlet with a long stay in solution. This is especially noticeable on coins with cavities, the irregularities of which are most susceptible to a chemical reaction. The illustration shows how the coins that have been in a chemical environment are different in color from ordinary ones. No, these are not rare copper probes! This is the most common little thing that chemistry has worked on. We think that now, when you see a newcomer who brought another "probe" to the forum, you will immediately understand why a line of buyers is not lining up for him. The scarlet layer is cleared over time. This is noticeable in one of the kopeck pieces, the edging of which has already returned to its usual color.

3. We clean different metals separately. Above is an ordinary five-kopeck coin that fell into the solution along with brass. The withdrawn copper settled on its surface with dark scarlet stains. It will not be so easy to clean a light coin from a foreign layer. And there is a chance that the copy will be ruined. Therefore, here, as in washing: "We wash colored linen separately from white!"

The coins that have been in the solution are thoroughly washed from chemistry and cleaned with powder from sediment. After that, the prototypes were aged in a solution of the Pemolux cream for better surface cleaning. Recall that inexpensive coins of ordinary circulation were taken for the experiment, so you should not suffer that "Pemoksol" will cause irreparable damage to their surface. Let's see what results the purge gave us.

The most pleasant thing is with the brass of the USSR in the form of a three-kopeck coin. CILLIT noticeably improved her appearance. Of course, there will be those who will ask: "Why are we so busy with a coin that you find in any pile? Isn't CILLIT more expensive to clean it?!" Probably, the attitude towards this triplet will change somewhat when you find out that this is a representative of a rare variety, where the edge is made with notches of reduced width.

Verdict: CILLIT is suitable for USSR brass. But here the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise we will have a "Study in Scarlet" before us because of the copper that has come to the surface.

Annual rubles of the USSR after cleaning also acquired a much more pleasant appearance. Matteness and yellowish stains disappeared. There was a kind of brilliance. Of course, hidden defects also surfaced. But we initially took coins for experiments that were far from collectible condition. Attention! A rusty spot on a coin from the set should not be removed with CILLIT! Of course, it will cope with a speck, but the natural shine of improved quality minting will disappear. "You just washed away half the value of the coin!" - experienced collectors will say sadly.

But the state of copper after CILLIT causes continuous disappointment. Chemistry obediently removed the patina. It was then that we found out how many defects the coin field of our half-kopeck has. Imagine your horror if you dipped copper 2 kopecks of 1925 into chemistry! Yes, and the color has changed not for the better. CILLIT for copper is best not to use. Of course, cleaning is not the last stage for this coin. If you bring a patina, then it will become prettier. True, the surface of the coin field cannot be improved even with an artificial patina.

Melchior remained in a deplorable state. True, 15 kopecks gave us a big surprise: the presence of a marriage. A strip is pressed into the surface of the coin, which is between the blank and the stamp. We would never have known about this secret if we hadn’t taken on cleaning the coins. So even the most killed copy is sometimes able to please something. The 20 looks a little better, but there is no desire to put it in the album. True, here CILLIT has nothing to do with it.

We will analyze the features on the modern weather forecast. We chose fifty dollars of varying degrees of slaughter. The one that retained the coin field suffers from scarlet tones to a lesser extent than its counterpart, whose field is no longer smooth, but millions of microscopic hills and depressions. Uneven surface and impedes cleaning. Here, CILLIT is no longer strong enough to restore the coin to its original form. However, in the first fifty dollars, the scarlet tones will gradually be erased if it is released into circulation again.

The same story with the ruble of 1999. The usual dark ruble CILLIT would have cleared without problems (rubles of 1964 fully confirm this). But we did not look for easy ways. Having cleaned off a layer of dirt, CILLIT presented us with a crumpled surface, the potholes in which the protruding copper turned into scarlet points. CILLIT is quite suitable for cleaning the turnover, but such cleaning will not save the dead coins. For the album, we need to look for another ruble.

Aluminum bronze is quite resistant to CILLIT attack. After cleaning, the pennies took on a more cheerful look. Rusty dots are gone. It should be noted here that representatives of the lower denominations of the early USSR are also prone to copper coming to the surface, especially if you see black dots or islands of beautiful-looking greenery. Under them, most likely, caverns are hidden, which, against the background of a golden coin field, will remain dark or, conversely, acquire sharp crimson tones.

Summing up, let's say that CILLIT is a tool that is quite suitable for express cleaning of inexpensive domestic coins from plaque and dirt. And, finally, once again admire the obverse of the saved three kopecks in 1985 with a frequent edge before and after our cleaning. It would not be good to leave a rarely seen coin in a state where the lesion would continue to torment its surface. Now it is far from ideal, but no less far from the terrible state in which it fell into our hands.

Every numismatist is familiar with cleaning coins at home. You have to resort to it if metal money has lain in the ground for a long time, has traces of organic pollution, has oxidized and become covered with a dark coating. After cleaning, the coins are protected by a layer of patina, they again take on a decent appearance, allowing you to better see all the details of the engraving and see the shine of the metal.

Opinions differ about cleaning, some collectors believe that aggressive substances that act on coins can completely ruin them. Perhaps this is the case if strong means and untested methods are used, but sometimes, it is simply impossible to do without a painstaking procedure for restoring the original appearance of the product. In this case, simple ways to clean coins at home with improvised means will help.

How to clean USSR coins

Coins issued since Soviet times have turned into interesting collections, carefully kept by numismatists. A lot of time has passed since their release, so they have changed a lot. Without proper care, such money will lose its value, cleaning USSR coins at home will help preserve wonderful specimens that are inextricably linked with the history of our country.

Chemical preparations cannot be used without certain skills, and it is not easy to find them, but a mixture obtained from ammonia, soda and toothpaste will effectively cope with pollution.
You can prepare a large amount of the product at once, store it in a tightly closed container and, if necessary, apply a small part to a coin that needs cleaning. After application, the product must be rubbed with a soft brush, rinsed thoroughly with warm water and dried well.

A solution of water and soda is also useful for removing pollution of varying degrees. The coin should be kept in it for several hours until the metal becomes clean and shiny, then rinsed and completely rid of moisture.

Another effective way is to use a half teaspoon of citric acid in a glass of hot water. A coin is placed in such a solution for a couple of seconds, then it is taken out, washed and thoroughly wiped with a dry, soft cloth. Do not leave the product in citric acid for a long time, so as not to spoil the metal.

How to clean copper coins

In the following ways, it is possible to clean copper coins at home without damaging them:

How to clean bronze coins

There are many ways to clean bronze coins, and all of them are similar to the steps to return the original look to copper money. You can use a solution of citric acid, soda. Ammonia and trilon can also be used, only then you should apply toothpaste to the coin and rinse with water. This will help to get rid of darkening caused by exposure to the aforementioned substances.

Nitric and sulfuric acid should not be used. Aggressive components are only suitable for coins that have little value and are in poor condition. If the patina is removed from the coin during cleansing, it can be created again using sulfuric ointment. First, vaseline ointment is applied to the bronze, then, using a short-cut toothbrush, a thin layer of sulfuric ointment should be applied and the coin should be placed under a stream of warm water. It will begin to darken, the resulting protective layer will protect the metal from oxidation. The remains of the ointment are removed with water and soap.

More ways to clean old coins

If you still have not chosen a way to clean old coins at home, you can resort to using vinegar and toothpaste. These substances are applied with a brush, and plaque is removed from the surface of the product with light circular movements. It is a good idea to completely immerse a galvanized steel coin in a container of vinegar for 5-10 minutes. You should not keep it for too long and be sure to rinse it well at the end of the procedure.

To put in order the coins of tsarist times, on which there are many pieces of land, boiling in water with soda is suitable. One tablespoon of soda is taken per 200 ml of water. You need to boil for 30-35 minutes, you can repeat the action several times if the result is not satisfactory.

To update silver coins with a large amount of oxides, a solution of ammonia with water in a ratio of 9: 1 is used, where the product is placed for about an hour. You can also replace ammonia with soda, in the amount of 30 g per 100 ml of water.

Rules for drying coins after cleaning

It is not enough to know how to clean coins, you need to be able to dry them well after the mentioned process. Their safety and proper appearance depend on this. After washing, metal money can be placed on a paper towel folded several times and blotted with it on top. A soft cloth is suitable for getting rid of moisture, with which you should rub the product. If there is a drying cabinet, then it can be useful for drying coins, but at a temperature not exceeding one hundred degrees.

Which coins should not be cleaned?

We have already provided information on how to clean coins at home, but it may not always come in handy. Some coins do not need deep cleaning at all. If the copy has an even patina without chips, oxides, then it will be enough to wash it with warm water and soap, rubbing it with a toothbrush. Dirt and dust will go away, all that remains is to dry it completely and send it to storage. Deeper cleaning may not have the best effect on the coin, completely ruining it.

How to store cleaned coins?

In order not to expose old coins to frequent cleaning, you should take care of their proper storage. Valuable items should be stored in a dry, clean place and out of direct sunlight. Collectors choose different storage methods, it is difficult to say which one is better:

• Some keep their collections in albums with clear plastic pockets for coins;
• Cardboard tablets with round slots for coins, fastened to the slot with an edge, are widespread;
• There are glass cases where the metal money is easily visible due to the transparency of the storage space;

It is very important that the coins come into contact with human hands as little as possible, so it is recommended to take them by the edge. If, nevertheless, you had to take it for the field, you should wash the product in warm water with soap and, after drying it thoroughly, place it in the allotted place.

With proper care and respect, rare, old coins will please the numismatist for a long time with their unique design and inimitable grace. Perhaps valuable collections will become a family heirloom and bring good profits in the future.

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Cleaning and restoration of Soviet coins, despite all the seeming simplicity, the procedure is quite painstaking and complicated. And first of all, this is due to the fact that the coins of the USSR periods had several different issues, which differed in various materials of manufacture. Accordingly, based on the material that was used to issue the coin, different cleaning methods are selected. And for this you need to have at least minimal knowledge about the issues of coins themselves.

Moreover, if we take into account that most of the coins of the period of the Soviet Union to this day have a low market value, then the question of the relevance of the cleaning process involuntarily arises. Is the game worth the candle?

Description of coin issues in the period 1924-1993

So, in the tables below, your attention is presented to the USSR coins of various issues with a small description, photographs and an indication of the material from which they are made.

The first coins of the USSR period were issued in 1924 after the monetary reform of 1922-1924. These were copper coins of 1, 2, 3 and 5 kopecks, 10, 15 and 20 kopeck silver coins of 10, 15 and 20 kopecks, and 900 silver coins of 1 fifty kopecks and 1 ruble. Subsequently, a copper coin with a denomination of half a kopeck was added to this coin series.

Coins sample 1924-1925
The photo	Denomination	Mass, Mr.	Diameter, mm	Release years	Material
	half a penny	1,64	16,00	1925, 1927, 1928	copper
	1 kopeck	3,27	23,10	1924, 1925
	2 kopecks	6,55	24,00	1924, 1925
	3 kopecks	9,80	27,70	1924
	5 kopecks	16,38	32,00	1924
	10 kopecks	1,80	17,27	1924-1925, 1927-1931	sterling silver 500
	15 kopecks	2,70	19,56	1924-1925, 1927-1931
	20 kopecks	3,60	21,84	1924-1925, 1927-1931
	1 fifty dollars	10,00	26,67	1924-1927	silver 900
	1 ruble	20,00	33,50	1924

The coins of the next issue were the result of the decision of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of January 6, 1926. The decision to mint new coins, in the first place, was caused by the large size and weight of the money of the first issue. Accordingly, in 1926, new aluminum bronze coins were issued in denominations of 1, 2, 3 and 5 kopecks.

The coins of the 1935 issue remained unchanged in terms of materials and sizes. The image on the obverse of bronze coins of 1, 2, 3 and 5 kopecks was somewhat simplified, and the reverse was changed on nickel coins of 10, 15 and 20 kopecks.

The next issue of coins of the USSR in 1961 brought more significant changes. The coins of this particular issue had the longest circulation period. Coins with denominations of 1, 2, 3 and 5 kopecks remained unchanged in size and weight, while a different material was chosen for their release - an alloy of copper and zinc. The production of nickel coins with a face value of 10.15 and 20 kopecks was suspended, and the production of copper-nickel coins of the same size and weight was launched. In addition, two new copper-nickel coins with a face value of 50 kopecks and 1 ruble were put into circulation.

Coins of the sample of 1961
The photo	Denomination	Mass, Mr.	Diameter, mm	Release years	Material
	1 kopeck	1,00	15,00	1961-1991	copper-zinc alloy
	2 kopecks	2,00	18,00	1961-1991
	3 kopecks	3,00	22,00	1961-1962, 1965-1991
	5 kopecks	5,00	25,00	1961-1962, 1965-1991
	10 kopecks	1,80	17,27	1961-1962, 1965-1991	copper-nickel alloy
	15 kopecks	2,50	19,56	1961-1962, 1965-1991
	20 kopecks	3,40	21,80	1961-1962, 1965-1991
	50 kopecks	4,40	24,00	1961, 1964-1991
	1 ruble	7,50	27,00	1961, 1964-1991

The final issue of Soviet change banknotes took place in 1991. It was represented by the following coins: 10 and 50 kopecks, 1, 5 and 10 rubles.

Now that we have dealt with the materials from which the coins of the former Union were made, we can proceed to the methods of cleaning them. Separately, I would like to say that, despite all the variety of methods for cleaning a particular coin at home, only one can be suitable! or several at once! Only experience or the advice of a more “older” comrade will help you understand all this. If you doubt your knowledge and strength, then it’s better not to take it at all, otherwise, as a result of cleaning, you can get the opposite effect.

How to clean copper coins

So, having a handful of copper tokens from the times of the former Soviet Union in your hands, you can begin the restoration procedure. Copper coins from 1924-1925 can be cleaned in several ways:

The easiest and perhaps the safest way to clean copper coins (and other copper artifacts, by the way) is to use ordinary soap. The principle of the method is quite simple - the soap solution is essentially a slightly alkaline medium, which gradually corrodes the oxides on the coin and allows them to be easily removed with a brush. Hence the main disadvantage of this method, the action of the solution is very weak and sometimes quite serious time costs (sometimes months) are required in order to clean the coin to the desired quality.

To prepare the solution, you need to take some kind of bowl and grate soap on a coarse grater. It should be remembered that the highest content of alkalis is present in laundry soap, the lowest - in children's soap. Soap grated on a grater should be poured with boiling water until a liquid mass is obtained in a consistency similar to thick sour cream. Coins must be immersed in this mass, it is desirable that they do not cake on each other and are covered with soap on all sides. In this solution, our coins remain for several days, they must be periodically stirred and turned over.

After a certain period of time, the coins must be taken out and with a toothbrush with a cut pile, try to remove the oxides under a stream of warm water. If the cleaning did not bring the long-awaited result, then the procedure must be repeated. Those. the coins are again sent to the soap, then they are taken out again and washed again. And so on until you achieve the desired effect. After that, the coin should be cleaned with a toothbrush and baking soda so that no white soap residue remains on its surface. Actually, the whole method.

Lemon acid. In this case, the coin is immersed in a solution of citric acid, but you should think 100 times before using this method, since lemon is a potent reagent. It's great for cleaning silverware, but copper can erode in minutes.

Another potent preparator in which, if desired, you can try to clean a heavily oxidized coin is ammonia. I repeat once again, with its help you need to clean only those coins whose oxides are not amenable to other more gentle means. Cleaning coins with ammonia occurs as usual: dip your "kakalik" into a solution of ammonia, which you can buy at any pharmacy and wait. The reaction will be very intense. Therefore, often take out a coin and rinse with a toothbrush under warm water.

The procedure for cleaning coins by electrolysis is possible only if the latter does not have pronounced damage on its surface and the oxides of various salts have not corroded deep cavities in your coin. This requirement is dictated by the fact that when processing by electrolysis, all flaws and shortcomings will be extremely clearly expressed.

Electrolysis cleaning is performed as follows: a coin is attached to the cathode of a direct current source (“-”), and any copper object is attached to the anode (“+”). A simple power supply can serve as a current source, for example, from charging to a cell phone. After that, both electrodes are immersed in the electrolyte and voltage is applied. As an electrolyte, you can use a solution of ordinary baking soda in water in proportions of 2 tbsp. spoons per litre. Cleaning can take from several minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the coin, the degree of oxidation and the power of the current source.

Cooking coins in a solution of soda. Quite uncomplicated, fast enough, but at the same time a very effective cleaning technique. Actually, the process technology itself is already briefly contained in the title. Copper coins are boiled in a solution of soda in water. To prepare the solution, you need to take 3 ... 5 tbsp. tablespoons of soda per 0.5 liters. water. The soda solution should cover our exhibits by about 2 cm so that during the cooking process they do not end up on top of the solution. The cooking process lasts approximately 30 minutes. After that, we take out each coin separately and rub it with gruel from the same soda with a toothbrush under a stream of thermal water. This method is also good for use at home, which is in almost every home and no additional costs are required to purchase it.

Vinegar cleaning. Vinegar, like any other acid, can be used in cleaning. But this should be done very carefully and in exceptional cases. Because any acid destroys the patina on the coin, damages the relief, opens caverns. Cleaning should be done with a 7-20% strength vinegar solution from any grocery store.

Disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or, more simply, Trilon B (complexone-III, chelaton III). An excellent cleaning agent designed to make salts of various metals from insoluble to soluble. Thus, on coins under the influence of Trilon B solution, many oxides and, unfortunately, patina are easily washed off. It is advisable to use this preparation if the coin is evenly covered with oxides.

mechanical cleaning. A rather complicated and painstaking process that cannot be explained in a nutshell, so a separate article will be devoted to this cleaning method.

How to Clean Aluminum Bronze Coins

In most cases, an aluminum bronze coin is cleaned in the same way as a copper coin, with a number of certain exceptions. The most acceptable ways:

Electrolysis. When using this method, do not forget about safety, do not allow direct contact between the anode and cathode, otherwise a short circuit will occur.

Ammonia. Ammonium chloride is more gentle on an aluminum bronze coin than on a copper item, so this method is more applicable in this case.

Trilon B. Trilon B solution in most cases easily removes all oxides, while not interacting with the metal of the item being cleaned. Even after a sufficiently long stay in the solution, the coin does not collapse and does not change its color. The strongest oxides require a sufficiently long interaction with Trilon B, up to several days, but the process can be accelerated by heating the solution.

Paste GOI. It is a method of abrasive cleaning, which is highly undesirable for coins in general, and is generally contraindicated for rare coins.

Silver coin cleaning

Silver, unlike copper and bronze, is not such an active chemical element, therefore, they can be used more actively to clean the silver coins of the former Union.

If you use citric acid for cleaning, then to prepare the solution, you need to put 2 teaspoons of concentrated lemon in a glass of thermal water. At the same time, a volume of 10 ... 20 ml is enough to clean one coin. solution. The coin is immersed in this solution for about 10 minutes. After that, the softened oxides are removed and with the help of a toothbrush.

We do the same with ammonia. It takes about 5-10 ml to process one coin. 10% ammonia solution. In both cases, the coin must be turned over during the soaking process so that the procedure goes evenly on both sides.

Cleaning nickel and cupro-nickel coins

In the field of cleaning these coins, nothing new has been invented either. All the same methods are used as for cleaning coins of the previous types. With only one amendment, that when cleaning copper-nickel coins with vinegar, an unpleasant reddish or pink tint may appear.

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How to clean coins at home

Almost any metal oxidizes over time, especially collectible coins. The older the coin, the more expensive it is, but the stronger the oxides on it. Therefore, it is important to know how to gently clean coins at home so that damage to even the oldest coins can be minimized.

For cleaning coins, specialized solutions have been created that perfectly remove almost any dirt and uneven patina, as well as oxides. But such liquids are quite expensive, so alternative methods of cleaning at home are popular.

For example, if you need to clean USSR coins, and you don’t want to spend money on expensive mixtures, then you can try using:

• citric acid;
• soap;
• Coca-Cola;
• electrolysis.

If you were looking for ways to clean gold and silver coins, then we have prepared detailed instructions for you. These methods do not require any special skills or knowledge from you, so their use is available at home, as well as making albums for coins (instructions here).

Cleaning coins at home with citric acid

To do this, you will need a small container made of ceramic or plastic, citric acid and water. The acid is poured into a container and diluted with water, after which you need to put a coin in this solution.

The cleaning process must be monitored by periodically turning the copy over, since the solution is quite aggressive to dirt and is able to clean the coin to metal.

In order to protect it from oxidation after cleaning, you need to bring an artificial patina.

Cleaning coins with soap

This method can be called the most gentle, since ordinary neutral baby soap is used for such cleaning. It must be grated on a coarse grater and diluted with a small amount of water to obtain a homogeneous plastic mass.

Insert your copy into the resulting soap mass and leave for a while. Periodically, they need to be pulled out, viewed and washed off the accumulated layer of dirt and oxides.

The main disadvantage of this method is its duration, because complete cleaning can be expected only after a few weeks.

Purification with Coca-Cola

Many people know that this drink has some cleansing effect and is useful in polishing chrome surfaces. However, Coca-Cola can also help in such a matter as cleaning coins at home.

To do this, you need to put a coin in a glass container and pour it with a drink, then leave it alone for about a week. If desired, the cleaning time can be reduced by placing a container with a coin on a battery or other heat source, since an increase in temperature speeds up the reaction.

It should be clarified that this tool will only help get rid of the patina due to the presence of a small amount of phosphoric acid in the drink. Serious pollution will have to be dealt with by more radical methods.

Purification by electrolysis

Many people remember what electrolysis is from their school days. It can become a useful assistant in the case of cleaning coins, the main thing is not to forget 2 important rules:

1. Observe safety precautions when working with electricity.
2. Practice this method first on ordinary varieties, so as not to spoil valuable specimens due to some minor mistake.

In order to clean a coin using electrolysis, you need to take a small 6-12 volt power supply (for example, a universal charger or an old mobile phone charger) with two crocodile clips attached to it, any small metal object (preferably not made of brass or copper), glass or ceramic deep dishes and saline solution (1 tablespoon of ordinary table salt per 1 liter of water).

The process itself is simple: one clip (“minus”) is attached to the specimen, and the “plus” clip is attached to a metal object. After that, the coin and the metal object are lowered into the previously prepared dish with saline, and the power supply is plugged into the outlet.

The result can be seen almost immediately, as the solution will quickly become cloudy due to the dissolution of oxides and dirt. After such a short “bath”, your copy should be washed with hot water and dried.

As you can see, cleaning coins by electrolysis is really not that difficult, although it requires care and safety during the process.

In fact, there are many more ways to clean coins from pollution at home, but those described above are the most affordable and effective of them. In the video below, you can see cleaning in other ways.

lifecoins.ru

How and how to clean coins to a shine

If you decide to ennoble old coins, the main thing is not to cause irreparable harm to the values. Before you properly clean the coins from dirt, you need to decide what metal they are made of.

Money can be gold, silver, bronze, copper, aluminum. There are also nickel, bimetallic, brass specimens. Cleaning coins at home is possible subject to certain rules and an individual approach to each instance.

Gold coins hardly need cleaning. Numismatists treat such money very carefully, and I do not recommend using anything other than a soft cloth when cleaning. A brush, and even more so scrapers, will scratch the precious surface. Here are a few ways to properly tidy up your gold coins.

You can bring gold money to a decent state with ammonia. Prepare a glass of soapy water, add 8-10 drops of ammonia to it. Put the metal money into the liquid and wait 10-20 minutes. Rinse in warm water. Then wipe with a dry and clean cloth, preferably flannel.

Place a teaspoon of sugar in a glass of warm water. Dip specimens in liquid for three hours. Rinse under running water and dry with a flannel.

• Dishwashing liquid

If there are no critical impurities on gold coins, warm baths with dishwashing liquid can be used. Dip them in the solution and wash them with your hands. Then rinse under running water and dry with a soft cloth.

Dilute two tablespoons of table salt in half a glass of water. Mix the product well and lower the coins there. After 8-10 hours, rinse in water and dry with a soft cloth.

• Always wipe the gold dry so that there are no streaks or dark spots from moisture.
• Do not use a product containing abrasives.
• Do not clean gold money using brushes, scrapers or hard sponges. Mechanical cleaning, where cutters, scrapers, needles are used, is not suitable for gold products.

Read more: How to clean copper coins at home

Cleaning silver money

• Dilute 30 grams of soda in 100 ml of water and dip silver money there for several hours. Prepare a bowl of baking soda. Use a cloth to clean particularly dirty areas. Then rinse with water and dry with a flannel. The tool will make the money shine, and remove all oxides from them.
• Shine can be achieved by cleaning the coins with citric acid. This option is more suitable for Soviet money. Dilute half a teaspoon of lemon in a glass of water. Dip the exhibit in the resulting solution. Wipe contaminated areas with a cotton swab, constantly turning the coins over. Harder plaque will help remove a toothpick. Soaking money in water with citric acid is not necessary. Finally, rinse the coins in warm water. Cleaning silver coins with citric acid is the best option.
• To make silver money shiny and presentable, you can clean it with acetic acid and soda. Make a weak solution of vinegar and dip the coins into it for half an hour. Dilute the baking soda to make a paste, and use your fingers to rub the baking soda over the surface. Clean the money on both sides, rinse with water, wipe dry.
• You can remove traces of oxidation from silver coins with ammonia. Put money in it for a maximum of one minute. Then take it out and clean it off with a cloth. Rinse money in clean water.
• Cleansing with ammonia will remove traces of oxidation and green plaque. Buy a solution of it at the pharmacy and pour it into a container so that the entire bottom is covered with ammonia. Put a cotton pad on the bottom, and a coin on it. Top with another disk. Cotton wool should be saturated with ammonia. It is better to close the container. After 3-5 minutes, take out the money. Next, you need to clean it with a soapy toothbrush and rinse in water.

• If the silver coin is rare and old, do not use acids and abrasives.
• Mechanical cleaning (brushes, scrapers, cutters) is not recommended for silver specimens.

Cleaning copper money

Take a plastic container and rub baby soap into it. Dilute the soap shavings with boiling water and stir. Dip the coins into the resulting product, and close the container with a lid. Periodically, you will have to get money and clean it from plaque under running water. You can use a soft brush, but be careful not to remove the patina from the copper exhibits. Cleaning will take a week. It is necessary to achieve the complete disappearance of oxides and contaminants.

The option of cleaning money from copper by electrolysis is quite dangerous. You need to take a glass of cold water, a stainless steel spoon, a pinch of salt, an AC / DC adapter for 18, 12 or 9 volts and two crocodile clips. Clamps must be attached to the bare wires of the adapter. Dilute a pinch of salt in a glass of water. Connect the clip with the negative wire to the money. You need to connect a clamp with a positive wire to the spoon. Dip the spoon and the coin into the glass of solution so that they do not touch each other. Connect the adapter to a power source. After a few minutes, turn off the device and remove the coins. It is required to wipe each money with soda and rinse with water. Electrolysis cleaning quickly dissolves dirt and oxides.

For copper specimens, cleaning is possible, where scrapers, needles, brushes and cutters are used. The mechanical procedure for cleaning exhibits made of copper should be carried out very carefully. In this matter, it is better to trust professionals. Mechanical processing of coins takes place under a microscope.

It is not advisable to clean copper specimens with citric acid. A copper-destroying reagent will ruin the coin and reduce its value.

Cleaning Bronze or Brass Coins

The money of the USSR was made from brass, and they were called bronze. Cleaning such coins is quite difficult.

• Electrolysis. Purification of bronze (brass) money can be carried out by electrolysis. To avoid a short circuit, make sure that the coin and the electrode are securely fastened and do not touch each other.
• Ammonia. To get rid of green foci of corrosion on brass (bronze) money, dip them in ammonia for one minute. After removing the money, it is urgent to rinse with cold water so that unnecessary spots do not appear on the bronze coins.
• Lemon acid. You can clean brass money with citric acid, just like silver coins (see above).

aluminum bronze cleaning

USSR coins made of aluminum bronze are cleaned to a shine with a shoe brush, the villi of which are made of brass. To begin with, the money of the USSR needs to be soaked in soapy water for several hours. Then you need to clean the exhibits of aluminum bronze on both sides with a special brush and rinse under running water.

• Ultrasonic Coin Cleaner

Use an ultrasonic bath to clean USSR money made from aluminum bronze. Pour hot water into it, put a tablespoon of citric acid. Run the bath at 50w for five minutes. After the procedure, the specimens will turn red. To get rid of plaque, you can clean aluminum bronze money with baking soda or dish cleaner. Then rinse and wipe.

How to clean commemorative coins with a face value of 10 rubles

• Bimetal coins of 10 rubles will look like new if you clean them with whitening toothpaste and a toothbrush. Then you need to thoroughly rinse the specimens.
• Yellow plaque from anniversary copies of 10 rubles can be removed with vinegar. You will need a glass of 9% solution of acetic acid, in which you need to put 10 rubles. After an hour, remove the specimens and rinse with hot water. If the dirt is not completely removed, brush 10 rubles with toothpaste.

Do not clean anniversary specimens using sandpaper, a hard brush or scrapers. There is a risk of completely ruining the money.

Cleaning Nickel Coins

• Hydrochloric acid and alcohol. To clean nickel coins, prepare a 50:1 solution of alcohol and hydrochloric acid. Soak the coin several times in liquid, then clean with a soft brush, rinse with water and wipe with alcohol. Without rinsing, wipe dry.

• Distilled water and vinegar. Tidying nickel coins will take less time if you first wash them in soapy water. Put the washed money into a solution of distilled water and vinegar (30% vinegar and 70% water). In this liquid, hold the specimens for three days. Turn the coins over periodically. After three days, it is required to clean the nickel coins from the copper tint. Take distilled water 70% and ammonia 30%. Dip the specimens in the prepared solution for another three days. Don't forget to flip. Finally, rinse wet coins with baking soda, cleaning with your hands. Rinse in water and wipe dry.

Cleaning your coins at home can be effective and help you clean up valuable coins. To achieve a positive result, you need to take into account the characteristics of the metal from which the money is made, and have the desire to make some effort.

Like any metal products, coins fade and blacken over time, and with excessive moisture, they become rusty. Basically, this problem is faced by numismatists who need to maintain their collection in a decent form. To restore shine to coins, to clean off oxides and dirt, you can use professional or home remedies. The latter attract collectors with their accessibility and simplicity.

If you clean the coins incorrectly, they can simply be ruined. Therefore, it is important to correctly determine the material from which they are made, and after the procedure, properly dry them.

How to clean coins at home?

Home methods for cleaning rusty old coins involve the use of readily available products: vinegar, ammonia, citric acid.

Copper coins are cleaned using the following home methods:

• 50 g laundry soap Grate 72.5% and dissolve in 1 liter of warm water. Soak the coins in this solution for a quarter of an hour. Then rub them with a sponge;
• copper products will be cleaned to a shine lemon acid if you prepare its concentrated solution. For 2 glasses of water, you need to take 4 tbsp. l. acid, withstand 20 minutes;
• pretty effective cleaning method. ammonia. You need to either moisten a cotton swab in ammonia and wipe the coin, or lower it for 10 seconds in undiluted liquid.

Green spots indicate that the surface has been oxidized. Most likely, the coins were lying in dampness for a long time or were in the ground. To get rid of green plaque, you need to prepare an acetic solution. For 1 liter of water, take 40 ml of table vinegar. Soak the coins for exactly one hour, then rub them with a soft brush.

Advice! If the dirt is not completely removed, continue soaking in the vinegar solution, making sure that the edges of the coins do not touch each other.

Blackening indicates the age of the metal. You can clean the surface of blackness with an ordinary lemon. Fresh fruit is cut lengthwise into 2 halves, and coins are inserted directly into the pulp for 15-20 minutes. Fruit acids will cope with pollution.

Copper is one of the most common materials used in coinage. For products made of other metals, alternative cleaning methods are used.

silver coins

Cleaning silver coins at home is carried out according to the following recipes:

• Line a wide-bottomed dish with foil. In a separate container, mix table salt and boiled water in such proportions that a slurry is obtained. Put part of the gruel on the foil, place coins on it, and cover them with the rest of the mixture. Leave for 2-3 hours, then carefully remove and rinse. You should not rub the coins, otherwise you can scratch them with salt.
• Warm up table 9% vinegar to a temperature of 36-37 ° C, soak a cotton swab in the liquid, and remove dirt with quick movements.
• Mix hot water and baking soda. The resulting mixture should have a thick consistency. Gently rub the contaminated places with it, rinse the coins with water;
• A more aggressive way is to mix soda not with water, but with ammonia. Ammonium chloride perfectly cleans silver of any quality.
• Cleaning with Trilon B, it is a white powder. For 100 ml of water you need to take 1 tsp. means, moisten a cotton swab in it and spot-treat the most contaminated places.

Caution is required to clean with citric acid. 20 g of powder is added to 100 ml of water at room temperature, and completely dissolved. You can immerse coins in liquid for no more than 1 minute, then rinse with running water.

Advice! Before the cleaning procedure, it is recommended to carry out a preliminary preparation: place the products in hot water to remove surface dirt.

Antique pieces made of pure silver can be treated with a special compound that is easy to purchase at a jewelry store. It is necessary to explain to the consultant that it is planned to process silver items.

Bronze coins

Cleaning bronze coins at home is not a problem. Here are some proven recipes:

• Dilute citric acid in a ratio of 7:3. This means that for 7 parts of water you need to take 3 parts of citric acid powder. Immerse the coins in the solution for 10-15 minutes, then remove and carefully peel off the dirt. After this treatment, the plaque comes off easily.
• Vegetable oil, you can take ordinary sunflower oil, heat it up and lower the coins for 5 minutes. After this time, rinse with hot water and soak in rubbing alcohol for a couple of minutes. It is necessary to work with hot oil very carefully so as not to burn yourself.
• The standard method is to prepare a concentrated soap solution from 72.5%. For a liter of hot water, you will need to take 50-60 g of soap, and grate it on a coarse grater. Place the coins in this solution for 15 minutes, then rub the softened dirt with a sponge.

It should be borne in mind that after high-quality cleaning, defects appear that were invisible before. These are scratches, cracks, deformation of the pattern and other possible damage. The main task is not to aggravate them with too aggressive processing.

aluminum coins

A grayish coating appears on aluminum products - an oxide film that protects the metal from further destruction. If you remove it completely, the coin will become stained and look even worse. Therefore, the task is to make the film thinner using non-aggressive means.

Cleaning aluminum coins at home is carried out in the following ways:

• "Coca Cola". It must be poured into an enamel bowl, pour coins, and soak them for at least 12 hours. It is most convenient to carry out the procedure at night, and if the result is not satisfactory, it can be repeated.
• Rub baby toilet soap on a grater and dissolve in hot water until a rich foam forms. The required proportions are 50 g of soap per 0.5 l of water with a temperature of 40-41C. Baby soap is not as aggressive as laundry soap, but does a good job of darkening. The disadvantage of this method is that it takes a long time. It may take a week for a good result. Soak the coins in the solution and periodically remove and wipe them.
• With citric acid or fresh lemon juice. Citric acid dissolves in water at room temperature in an amount of 1 tbsp. l. per 100 ml of liquid. An alternative is to squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon and dip the coins into it. The duration of the procedure in both cases is 20 minutes.
  Another effective way is to dissolve 50 g of borax and a tablespoon of ammonia in a liter of water. Borax is a dry white powder - the sodium salt of boric acid. In this solution, aluminum products should spend a quarter of an hour, then they are washed with running water.

bimetallic coins

Bimetallic coins are coins, the central part of which is made of one metal, and the ring surrounding it is made of another. They can be difficult to put in order, since corrosion can affect only one type of metal, and the second risks tarnishing during processing.

Cleaning of such coins at home is carried out table vinegar 9%. The liquid must be poured into a wide, shallow dish, and coins should be placed at the bottom, at some distance from each other. They must be removed no later than two minutes later.

If the pollution is not very strong, a soda solution prepared in the proportion of 40 g of soda per 200 ml of hot water will help. Products are kept in liquid for 10 minutes.

Another way to clean bimetallic 10 rubles is to rub them with toothpaste. Any paste is suitable, there is only one obligatory condition - it must be white, without dyes. After the procedure, the coins must be thoroughly rinsed so that no white dried particles or streaks remain.

How to clean the coins of the USSR

For the manufacture of coins of the USSR, an alloy of copper and aluminum, copper and zinc, as well as copper, zinc and nickel was used. Now they are a collector's item, and without proper care, they quickly lose their luster and become rusty.

Cleaning Soviet coins at home is carried out using a mixture of baking soda, toothpaste and ammonia solution. The substances must be mixed in equal proportions, apply the mixture on a napkin, and carefully treat the contaminated surfaces, then rinse the coins with running warm water and wipe with a clean cloth.

Cleaning of brass coins is carried out with ordinary soapy water. Suitable for both baby and laundry soap.

Approximately 30 g of the substance is grated and dissolved in 0.5 liters of boiling water. In this solution, you need to soak the coins for 30-40 minutes, then remove and gently rub with an old toothbrush.

The purpose of cleaning cupronickel products at home is to rid them of a reddish coating. To do this, the following procedure is carried out: you need to take an enameled container, cover its bottom with foil, and sprinkle thickly with baking soda. Put the coins and pour a small amount of boiling water, leave overnight. After 10-12 hours, rinse with warm water. If necessary, repeat 2-3 times.

Copper-nickel specimens are perfectly preserved in adverse conditions and aggressive environments. Even if they are found in the ground during searches, various types of corrosion on products are observed in a minimal form. You can get rid of them with a vinegar-salt solution. In 50 g of table vinegar dissolve 1 tsp. salt, and keep coins from 5 to 20 minutes.

Drying coins after cleaning

Regardless of which home cleaning method was chosen, the coins must be dried properly to prevent re-corrosion.

The easiest way is to wipe the cleaned products dry with a soft cloth, microfiber or flannel is suitable. Intensively rubbing the surface is not recommended, since even the most delicate material can leave scratches invisible to the eye.

There is a simple method of how you can find out that the coins are well-cleaned and ready to dry. They need to be put in water, and add one drop of a solution of azonic acid silver. The water must remain clear.

Collectible items can be dried in a special drying cabinet at a temperature of 100°C.

Which coins cannot be cleaned

If your home collection contains especially valuable, expensive and rare specimens, it is better not to take risks and do not clean them yourself at home. Especially if they have chips, deep scratches, bumps or potholes. In this case, it will be enough to remove the dirt with running water and dry the coins properly.

The value of a coin depends not only on its purity, but also on the safety of the relief. Rough mechanical and chemical cleanings can smooth out important details, form scratches, bumps and dents.

If it is necessary to put the most valuable coins in the collection in order as much as possible, it is best to entrust this to a professional restorer. For example, museum workers have a lot of experience.

When carrying out cleansing procedures at home, it is important to observe safety precautions, to prevent the ingress of ammonia, vinegar and other hazardous substances into the body or on the mucous membranes.

We all use money and coins (rubles, kopecks) and, of course, it is much more pleasant to pick them up, clean and shiny. The question of how to clean, whiten coins to a shine, what kind of polishing is needed, often arises among those who acquire valuable collection money not for everyday use, but as a profitable investment. How to do it right so that they shine, you will learn from this article.

How to clean coins?

Various means are suitable for cleaning money. It could be:

• toothpaste;
• ammonia;
• vinegar;
• lemon or citric acid powder;
• Coca Cola;
• baby or laundry soap;
• special means.

In addition, you will need:

• soft cloth;
• brush with soft or medium bristles;
• thin needle.

Important! Please note that technologycleaning old coinsand for everyday use will be very different. The former require a more careful and careful approach using less aggressive means.

How to wash coins at home?

There are several simple ways to clear ordinary metal money.

Option 1

1. Wipe the coins first with a solution of vinegar - 3-5%.
2. Gently brush the surface with a brush and a small amount of toothpaste.
3. Remove residue with a damp cloth.
4. Polish gently to a shine with a dry cloth.

Option 2

1. Put the money in the water.
2. Wipe the surface of the coin directly in the water with baking soda.
3. Treat with cotton wool soaked in ammonia.
4. Treat with soda again, rubbing it into the surface.
5. Rinse with water and polish.

Option 3

1. Pour Coca-Cola into a bowl.
2. Throw some coins in there and leave it overnight.
3. Take the money out of the Coke in the morning.
4. Rinse with running water so that they are not sticky.
5. Polish with a soft cloth.

Option 4

1. Wipe the coins with a solution of hydrochloric acid - not very concentrated.
2. Dry the item carefully.

Important! Please note that all these methods are quite aggressive and small scratches may remain on the coin. Therefore, to apply such methodsantique coin cleanersunacceptable.

A more gentle cleaning method is baby or laundry soap:

1. Take ⅛ of the bar for 1 liter of water.
2. Rub the soap on a grater or dissolve a whole piece in water - in the second case, the procedure will be longer.
3. Soak the coins in the prepared solution.
4. Hold them for 3-10 hours, depending on the degree of contamination.
5. Scrub lightly with a soft brush - an old toothbrush will do.
6. Once the coins shine again, rinse with running water and polish with a dry cloth.

How to clean old coins?

Before you start cleaning expensive old coins, be sure to determine the alloy from which they are made. This is what will become the determining criterion in choosing the right means and technology for wiping dirt.

Gold

To clear money from this metal, do the following:

1. Prepare a soap solution from baby or laundry soap with water in the proportion of 1/8 of the bar to 1 liter of water.
2. Soak for a short time and rub gently with your fingers.
3. Put the pan on the fire and warm it up - the effect will be much better. But in no case do not boil!
4. Repeat the procedure if necessary.
5. Dry by placing a coin between soft tissues.

Important! Never use brushes or rub the coin, even after washing. Please note that the entire process can take up to 10 days.

Silver

Choose a method for cleaning silver coins, considering 2 factors:

• how much the metal has oxidized;
• alloy test.

To wipe dirt from high-quality money with signs of severe oxidation:

1. Pour ammonia into a bowl.
2. Put precious items in it.
3. Hold for 1 hour.
4. Lay between a soft and absorbent cloth until the surface is completely dry.

Clean low-grade products with a special tool - “trilon B”. How to use it is indicated in the instructions.

Copper and bronze

Bronze and copper are peculiar metals. Distinctive properties of these alloys is the formation over time of a natural coating of dark brown, and even almost black hue - patina. It is she who will indicate the true age of the coin, serve as a determining factor in evaluating the product. In addition, the smoother and more uniform this plaque, the more beautiful the coin itself looks.

Important! Do not try to clean the patina - this will not only reduce the value of the coin, but you can also damage the metal itself.

Dust, dirt accumulate on the surface of such products and green spots may appear - so they need to be removed. To do this, follow these instructions:

1. Wash the coin under running water.
2. Wipe gently with a 9% vinegar or citric acid solution.
3. Rinse again with warm water.
4. Dry by wrapping in a soft cloth, but do not rub with it.

Iron

The main problem of this metal is corrosion and whitish coating. You can get rid of them like this:

1. Wipe iron money with a weak solution of hydrochloric acid.
2. Gently clean severely damaged areas with a brass wire brush or fine needle.
3. Rinse with running water as soon as all oxides and rust are melted and easily removed.
4. Dry by wrapping the product in a soft cloth.
5. Wipe with felt to restore shine to the coin.

Why not clean coins?

Before cleaning coins at home, please also note that such tools and substances are categorically not suitable for this purpose:

• highly concentrated solutions of nitric, acetic, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids - they can melt the chasing on the product and the entire pattern;
• sandpaper - it completely removes the patina from bronze and copper and changes the chased surface relief;
• heating to maximum heat - this can lead to the destruction of the metal, and accordingly, after the procedure, the coin will simply crumble;
• brushes with metal bristles - they are much harder than brass or with artificial and natural hair, therefore they also lead to a change in the relief of the surface of valuable coins.

How and how to clean coins at home without the use of special tools? How to properly clean modern coins of Ukraine or old USSR from dirt, oxidation, rust, plaque?

Before you start cleaning, make sure that you really need it, ask for advice on the numismatist forums. If the coin is expensive and you have little experience, do not risk it, as you can ruin it.

First, decide on the metal and the type of pollution, this is important when choosing a cleaning method. You can find out what the coin is made of from the catalogs of the numismatist. There are several types of pollution: ordinary dirt, metal oxides (green or red coating), rust. Don't confuse patina with dirt!

Laundry or baby soap

Soap solution is suitable for any coins, it can be used to wash off dirt and at the same time leave a patina. Minor stains are quickly washed off with soap, while more complex stains require a long soak. A gruel is prepared from laundry or baby soap and warm water, a coin is placed in it and aged from 3 days to 5 months.

This is the most gentle method that can be used at home without fear.

Ammonia

Ammonia is used to clean copper, bronze, brass coins from oxidation and dirt. It is necessary to dip a coin into the ammonia solution for several minutes, then rinse it under running water. Ammonium chloride accelerates the appearance of patina, for example, on copper coins.

acids

Often treasure hunters use citric acid or vinegar to clean coins found in the ground. Acids corrode dirt, green or pink oxides. The coin must be kept for about 10 minutes, then rinsed. Acids are used to clean copper, bronze, brass coins.

Unfortunately, under the action of vinegar, defects appear on the coin, cavities open under the dirt, and the color changes to bright pink. Acids, especially strong ones, are the best way to "kill" a coin.

Kefir, airan

These products contain a small percentage of lactic acid, with which you can get rid of blackness. You can clean copper, bronze, aluminum, brass coins, both ancient and modern. Soaking for several months brings the most noticeable results. At the same time, it is necessary to check the coin from time to time and change the yogurt.

Olive oil

Bronze and copper coins are boiled in olive oil, then washed. In no case should you "cook" aluminum coins. The advantage of this method is that the patina is preserved.

Coca Cola

Some successfully clean coins by soaking them in Coke. You can remove dirt from Soviet coins and pre-revolutionary ones. Also, this method has opponents who claim that cola is harmful.

Ultrasonic baths

Cleaning coins with ultrasound is practiced with water or special liquids. Chinese online stores sell special ultrasonic baths for cleaning jewelry, and numismatists use them for their own purposes. They help to get rid of dirt on copper, bronze, gold and other coins. Cleaning takes a few minutes.

Electrolysis

To clean coins by electrolysis, a power supply is used. A wire with a negative charge is attached to the coin, and the positive one is connected to some metal object, all this is lowered into the electrolyte. Salt or soda dissolved in water is used as an electrolyte.

It is important to control the process and check the condition of the coin. This method has many supporters and opponents.

In addition to the substances listed above, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, GOI paste, toothpaste, household chemicals (Fairy, Toilet Duck, Silit) and special coin cleaners.

The forums are full of both positive and negative feedback on any method. All due to the fact that the alloys of coins and pollution are different, in some cases one method will be effective, while in others it will be useless.