Cleaning Copper Coins

[Evereddy]

I found a KG2 colonial copper half cent with my ACE350 last night. It's pretty well corroded and crusted. I can barely make out the features of the bust the letters G,S and the roman numeral 2. The reverse is worn completely smooth. There is a nice outline where the image used to be. Any one have any tips or tricks for cleaning copper?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[Tom_in_CA]

Ammonia

 

[Silver Saver]

I'm no expert, but I use the hydrogen peroxide method for copper coins. Heat just enough hydrogen peroxide in a microwave safe container, bring to a boil then take out of the microwave and put coins in to soak. Repeating the process can help too. That will remove dirt from the coin. It will also dry the coin out so an olive oil soak after could be good too, although I haven't bothered doing that yet.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

.... I use the rubbing alcohol method for copper coins. Heat just enough rubbing alcohol in a microwave safe container, bring to a boil then take out of the microwave and put coins in ....

Rubbing alcohol, eh ? I've heard the same recipe, but only to use hydrogen peroxide. Bring a petri dish to a boil in the micro-wave (15-ish seconds). Remove petri dish. Drop in the target. You will see the bubbles fizz off your target. Never heard of this method with rubbing alcohol though. Hmmm

 

[Obsessive]

I was seeking advice on the same recently. Some suggestions i received were to let ot soak in ketchup or taco bell hot sauce. I tried the ketchup and had some success.

 

[Silver Saver]

Rubbing alcohol, eh ? I've heard the same recipe, but only to use hydrogen peroxide. Bring a petri dish to a boil in the micro-wave (15-ish seconds). Remove petri dish. Drop in the target. You will see the bubbles fizz off your target. Never heard of this method with rubbing alcohol though. Hmmm

Yes you're right. Crossed my mind when I said that, that I might have had the wrong word. Yes hydrogen peroxide, not rubbing alcohol. Glad you pointed it out at least