Silver coins are worth serious money. No, not the value embossed on the face. We’re talking $10 million for a 1794 ‘flowing hair’ silver dollar.
But the catch is this: valuable silver coins only stay valuable if they’re cared for. No one wants a grubby coin that you can’t even tell is silver.
That means you need to understand how to clean silver coins the right way. Anything else tarnishes the innate beauty of the item and reduces its eventual sale price.
So what’s the right way to clean silver coins? Glad you asked. Let’s get into it!
For Very Minor Cleaning Jobs: Water and a Soft Cloth
So you’ve seen your coin on investorcrate.com and realized it’s valuable. But wait, it’s all mucky and grimy!
No one’s going to want to buy this! Whatever are you going to do to return it to like-new condition! Get some warm water and a soft towel, that’s what.
It might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people jump right to bleach and a scouring pad when all they need to clean is a fingerprint.
For really minor smudges, the best way of cleaning silver coins is nothing more than some warm water and a soft cloth. Gently rub a damp cloth over the affected area and hey presto, your coin’s looking good as new.
But if you’re got some more serious dirt going on, you’re going to have to pull out the big guns.
A Nice, Relaxing Acetone Bath
This is right on the other end of the spectrum from water and a cloth. Acetone is intense stuff. You’ll want to wear gloves and a mask when handling it, and you’ll be to be super gentle with your coin, too.
Too much enthusiasm and you’ll end up damaging your coin.
First, you’ll want to pour enough acetone into a container that you can submerge your coin in it. Then, carefully deposit your coin in its bath and remove it after about five seconds.
Yep, five seconds. If you leave your coin in there too long, you could ruin it.
Once it’s out, immediately rinse it off with some distilled water and dab it dry with a soft cloth. If all’s gone according to plan, your beautiful silver coin will look like it was minted yesterday.
How to Clean Silver Coins? With Great Care
So there you have it. When it comes to how to clean silver coins, the answers can be more obvious than you think. More often than not, you need some water, a towel, and some patience.
And when you have to pull out the heavy-duty stuff, you need to keep your wits about you and not go overboard. Keep these principles in mind and you’ll have a sparkling collection of beautiful coins in no time.
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