Ancient coins keep on themselves not only the touch of the hands of people of past eras, but also more prosaic traces left by the time and conditions in which they were kept for many years. Therefore, the question of how to clean old coins made of various precious metals from deposits of oxides, earth, sand and other destructive accessories of their age is relevant for the majority of numismatists who value their collection.
It is necessary
- Soft brushes;
- A piece of soft cloth;
- Ammonia solution 5-15%;
- A solution of 5-10th ammonium carbonate;
- Water;
- Soap.
Instructions
Step 1
How to clean old coins of dirt, sand and dirt The simplest types of coin contamination are common dirt, traces of earth and sand. How to clean old coins from these phenomena is quite understandable, you need to use soapy water, a soft brush or a cloth. Dip the coins one by one into the solution, let them lie down for a while to soften the layer of dirt and then, if the dirt has not been completely removed, very carefully brush off the dirt with a soft brush. In this way, you can clean all types of coins from gold, silver and copper.
Step 2
How to clean old coins from traces of oxidation Traces of metal oxidation on coins are removed in several ways, the choice of which depends on the condition of the coin and the metal from which it is made. Oxides are cleaned off, as a rule, by chemical methods available at home for every numismatist, but the ultrasonic method is often applicable only in the workshops of restorers, as it requires special equipment.
Step 3
How to clean old silver coins?
Silver coins are cleaned only chemically using various solutions and preparations, depending on the type of oxidation and state of the coin. In order to choose the method for how to clean old silver coins in the most suitable way, you need to look carefully at the type and color of the oxides. If the silver coin is covered with a greenish coating, then it is susceptible to oxidation from copper compounds and a 5% sulfuric acid solution is required for cleaning. The coin must be placed in a porcelain cup, filled with solution and slightly heated over low heat. This will speed up the cleaning process, because the higher the temperature of the solution, the faster the oxidation traces will disappear. Also effective is 5-10% formic acid, the processing method of which is similar to the previous one.
Step 4
How to clean horny silver from antique coins
Horny silver is a purple-gray coating on silver coins, and, as a rule, such coins do not have a strong metal base and are characterized by the softness of the metal, therefore cleaning them with sulfuric or other acid can lead to loss of the coin pattern or even its complete destruction. In this case, the question of how to clean old coins becomes very delicate and difficult to fulfill. If the plaque of horny silver is not very thick, then you can put such a coin in a solution of 5% ammonia or ammonium chloride and closely monitor the cleaning process. The horny silver should soften and be easily mechanically brushed off.
Step 5
How to clean antique copper coins
Copper old coins, under the influence of air and the complex compounds of vapors, gases and water contained in it, become covered with a black or green coating. Such oxidations do not dissolve in water; therefore, it is necessary to resort to a chemical purification method. To do this, the coin is wiped with a cotton swab soaked in ammonia, which very delicately removes plaque and does not injure the design of the coin. Another effective way to clean copper coins is the old recipe called "vinegar dough". This will require vinegar and flour mixed in proportions to form a thick doughy substrate in which the copper coin is placed. After the “dough” has dried and hardened, it must be cleaned off the coin with a soft brush or cloth.
Step 6
How to clean antique gold coins
Gold coins are not as susceptible to harmful and destructive oxidation, so deciding how to clean old gold coins is quite simple. They must be thoroughly washed in warm soapy water using a soft brush or cloth, as a result of such a simple treatment, traces of dirt should disappear. You can also use a 5-15% ammonia solution, which perfectly dissolves the red-cherry bloom on gold. Pour them over the coins so that they are completely submerged in the solution, and then scrub them with a soft brush.
