Soap And Water

Some will say Don't touch it, others will just say, if it is ugly and dirty then go ahead clean it. As long as you go to confession after cleaning it no problem.

Do not clean or rub! Soaking a coin in distilled water to remove surface dirt or grime is recommended. Pat dry.

There are several exceptions to the "never clean coins" rule; coins dug up from the ground are one of them.

If you're coin is simply "circulated", then soap and water isn't going to make it "look like new again". Nothing will. But if you've got a very worn, circulated coin that's got a buildup of "something" on it, I don't think soap and water is going to do much harm. If the "dirt" doesn't come off in soap and water, then it's not ordinary dirt, it's probably corrosion.

One exception to "soap does no harm" is aluminium coins; soap is corrosive to aluminium.

to the forum.


Please note there are probably thousands of different types of soaps. Even a standard type such as Ivory or Palmolive may have numerous different chemical formulae. Since so many different types of soaps are in existance, a standard statement such as it is corrosive to Aluminum is a slight overstatement.
As to how to clean coins dug up from the ground. I watched as a construction worker found hundreds of coins dug up in a construction site. Most were from prior to the 1920's due to that is when that construction was originally done. He simply rinsed them in Acetone and then in distilled water. As a general rule, most came out without the caked on dirt since it was basically just dirt.
As he knew any additional cleaning would probably do more damage than it would be worth.
One thing you may want to do is do a search on this forum for subjects such as cleaning coins, using Acetone, etc. This subject is well covered.

The general rule....NEVER CLEAN A COIN!

However, be aware there's a difference between cleaning and conserving (read around the forum to understand the difference). If a coin is so bad and it's not anything of real value, I have no problem with taking it to the sink. I just use running hot water, a little liquid dish soap and rub it between my fingers. NEVER use a cloth or anything to rub the surface other than your fingers.

This method only removes stuff that's just lightly stuck to the surface. It doesn't wipe out the coin completely. When I'm going through bank boxes of cents, I'll often do this to cents that could use "a little help". For an example, this coin I found searching a box had a big, black, piece of gum about a quarter inch high on the reverse....it came off in the sink. Personally, I'd rather have the coin without the gum:

So I guess the new Bench Grinder I got for Christmas with a wire brush wheel might damage a coin?

Remember though, safety first!


Always clamp the coin down in this....




Before using this....