How to clean old coins

[sidney]

I was digging in a field and found a old Cooper coin in the field. It was in bad shape due because it has been in the ground a long time and the farmer putting liquid weed killer and fertilizer on the field for many years.
I was wonder what method you all use to bring coins back to!some life.

Thanks

 

[Ronstar]

Standard is apple vinegar and a pinch of salt for coppers. If doing a single coin Id say put in a 1/4 cup liquid and a pinch of salt in a plastic cup and keep swishing it around like a fine wine until it cleans up as best it can get. Use a toothbrush carefully just in case its a rare specimen

 

[fishnnut]

I don’t think there is much can be done to fix fertilizer damaged coins. I have found old wheats in some farmed fields here and about the only way to make them somewhat better is tumbling them but that pretty much ruins their value also. If you would find a key date you may still get a little for it even toasted.

 

[Monkeys Uncle]

STEP 1 - I use white vinegar and a pinch of salt in a plastic bottle...shake vigorously for 3-5 mins. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. STEP 2 - Then place in tumbler with broken auto glass, small amt. of clear water, drop of Dawn dish soap and a bit (1/2 CUP) of "CLR" product. Tumble for 2 hrs...rinse and voila...like new/sparkly results. BE AWARE - Do not mix cooper with silver or clad as they will take on copper tint.

Note - Broken/shattered auto glass does not cut bare fingers (unless squeezed) and it leaves absolutely NO residue.
Last - DO NOT CLEAN rare/collector/value coins at all. The above "cleaning" steps are for coins to want to return to circulation.