An antique silver coin is a pride for a numismatist. As a rule, to bring an antique coin to its original appearance, it must be cleaned of traces of oxidation and dirt. This can be done in several ways. The choice of the correct method depends on the sample of the silver item.
It is necessary
- ammonia solution;
- lemon juice;
- sour fixer;
- means "Zilberbad";
- baking soda.
Instructions
Step 1
The easiest way is to remove ordinary dirt. Prepare a container of soapy water. The water should be slightly lukewarm. Dip the coin into the container and scrub gently with a soft brush.
Step 2
The following method of cleaning from oxidation is suitable for coins of any sample. It is the most simple and accessible to everyone. Take regular baking soda and dilute it with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Heat the solution on the stove. Soak the coins in the baking soda solution for three hours. If the dirt is not completely removed, dilute the baking soda with water to a gruel state and wipe the necessary areas of the coin with it. This mixture must be free of solid particles that could scratch the metal.
Step 3
There are several cleaning methods for fine silver coins. The high standard includes 750 and more. Such coins can be cleaned with a solution of ammonia. Alcohol is sold at any pharmacy for a small price. Dip the coin in the solution for a while. It is difficult to give the exact residence time of the product in the solution. Remove the silver from the ammonia from time to time and visually check the quality of cleaning. Also, you can save the coin from oxides using a fixer. It is sold at a hobbyist store. Professional restorers recommend using the German product "Silberbad", which is specially created for cleaning silver items.
Step 4
Natural lemon juice is used to clean low-grade silver coins. Fill a glass glass halfway with lemon juice. Submerge the coins completely in the solution. Make sure that the edges of the coins do not go beyond the liquid. If part of the metal is in air, then oxidation will appear at the border of contact with the juice. Subsequently, it will be very difficult to remove this type of oxidation. Do not remove the coins from the solution until the oxides are completely dissolved. Rinse the cleaned coins in running water and dry thoroughly.
