Cleaning a silver coin is a method of removing dirt particles, dust or metal oxidation from its surface, and there are several ways to clean a silver coin safely and easily.
Necessary
- - soft brush or brush;
- - ammonia;
- - baking soda;
- - Toothpaste;
- - 10% solution of Trilon B;
- - laundry soap;
- - lemon juice;
- - means of household chemicals with hydrochloric or oxalic acid (for example, Silit and Silit Bang).
Instructions
Step 1
If a silver coin is simply contaminated with dust or dirt, it must be rinsed in warm running water using a soft brush or a simple toothbrush.
Step 2
For silver coins, it is advisable to know the fineness of the silver coins. The method of cleaning will depend on the sample.
Step 3
You can clean a high-standard silver coin with a gruel of ammonia - it is sold in any pharmacy -, baking soda and toothpaste. This mixture must be liquid and free of solid or abrasive particles. It is better to use the toothpaste of domestic production, because it contains silicon oxide, it does not leave micro-scratches, unlike calcium carbonate contained in foreign toothpastes.
Step 4
A 10% solution of Trilon B is most suitable for cleaning a low-standard silver coin. It must be applied with a soft-bristled brush and rubbed a little, then rinse the coin with running water and dry.
Step 5
Another effective way to clean low-grade silver coins is to immerse the coin in warm water and diluted laundry soap or lemon juice. In this case, the coins must be completely immersed in the used solution. They should not come into contact with air. Coins need to be flipped periodically in the solution.
Step 6
The easiest way to combat oxides is to rub them with baking soda. The baking soda should be slightly moistened with water and rubbed on the silver coin to remove the oxides.
Step 7
Some numismatists use household chemicals with hydrochloric or oxalic acid. Such products dissolve oxides in a couple of minutes, but also destroy dark patina, making the coin shiny.
Step 8
When cleaning silver coins, you cannot use:
1. Concentrated solutions of sulfuric, acetic, hydrochloric or nitric acids. They melt the coinage on the coin;
2. Construction skins. They remove the patina and minting from the coin;
3. The method of temperature difference, when a silver coin is heated over a fire, and then it is quenched in cold water. This results in a loss of patina on the coin;
4. Brushes with metal bristles. They remove the pattern of the coin and the "patina".
