cleaning coins

[MidgeD79]

I tried the seach with no luck. How do I clean coins for the pressed coin machines?

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

For pennies, place them in a glass with some vinegar and let them sit overnight. You may have to move them around a bit so that all surfaces are exposed to the vinegar. It is slightly acidic.

 

[GrammyJudy]

copper cleaner

 

[toxa]

Put some warm water, backing soda, and some aluminum piece (little balls of aluminum foil works) into a bowl, and place your metals there for say 10 minutes.

 

[sdzman]

If you really want to try something neat. Borrow a rock tumbler, add the pennies, some lemon juice and some Copperhead brand BBs. Run the tumbler 24 hours or so. When the pennies come out they look like they were just struck and came off the mint line.

 

[rpbert1]

put them in a glass of COCA COLA

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

OP- when you get done with all our suggested science experiments, let us know what worked for you!

 

[frzndaqiri]

Organic ketchup worked amazing for mine. Use pre 1982 coins as those have more copper content and press better. Newer coins have zinc which streaks (it doesn't blend well when pressed).

I saved every penny I got for a year, sorted out the newer ones back into my piggy bank, then put the old ones in a ziploc bag of ketchup (organic has fresher tomatoes and less fillers so better acidity) for a few hours. I made sure to massage the bag every so often to make sure they were all getting covered.

After rinsing they were clean but a bit dull. A quick rub of baking soda and water (make a paste) on them made them shiny again. I had maybe 2 duds that just didn't really get clean (who knows what was on them!).

ALL of them were EXCELLENT after pressing at the parks. I must have done about 30 total and compared to pennies from other trips where I didn't take the time to clean them it's amazing the detail.

I also used the M&M mini's tube to hold them. One for pennies one for quarters, and I was never digging trying to figure out where my change was.

Have fun!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have on occasion left coins in a trouser pocket and find this out when I empty out the washing machine. The coin is laying on the bottom of the machine and very bright and shiny.

 

[cfwallen]

Soak in a vinegar and salt solution for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with water and dry. Then rub with an eraser to remove loosened debris and shine them up. Don't forget to rub the eraser over the sides of the penny.

 

[poplover777]

I work at Heinz and make ketchup. It works for cleaning pennies due to the acidity of the tomato paste and the vinegar. Hope this helps.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

It's been a week. You should have a nice collection of shiny coins now.........

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

soak in vinegar and then rub with an eraser. Perfect, every time

 

[Nefferz]

I just cleaned up a dollar's worth today- used distilled vinegar and salt. I also found out that I have a papercut on my thumb...

 

[Windsor Princesses]

We always use ketchup, it works like a charm, any kind will do.