Cleaning Dug U.S. Quarters & Nickels

[ToddB64]

Hi everyone !

The surface metal of Washington Quarters 1965 to date and Jefferson Nickels 1938 - 1942 and 1946 to date, is an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel, according to my 2006 Red Book.

When dug from the ground, some of the above Quarters and Nickels are stained various shades of pink, orange, brown, etc., depending on the minerals and moisture in the ground and length of time buried.

Is there a cleaning process that will return the surface color of these coins to something close to the original color when in circulation ? I would like a simple process that doesn't involve a long list of steps, isn't too complicated and doesn't involve tumbling, since I don't have a tumbler.

Thanks,

Todd