Cleaning Silver and Copper Coins with Distilled White Vinegar

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by john59, Aug 6, 2015.

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  1. john59

    john59 Well-Known Member

    chlorine can corrode copper but to hurt a coin
     
    john59, Aug 7, 2015
    #21 + Quote Reply
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  3. john59

    john59 Well-Known Member

    Vinegar (a 5% solution of acetic acid) won't dissolve the metallic copper, copper cannot liberate hydrogen from acids
     
    john59, Aug 7, 2015
    #22 + Quote Reply
  4. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    John there are many, many, things that can be used to clean coins, more things than you can even count. And yeah, they will work, they will clean the coins. But the question is will they clean the coins without harming them ? And in 99.99% of the cases, the answer is no, they will not.

    And that is the problem in a nutshell. And it's not about long term effects because there really are no long term effects. Long term effects would only occur if the cleaning agent were left on the coin. It's about immediate effects. For once the coin is harmed that harm can never be undone, it is permanent.

    Are there things that can be used to safely clean coins, that will cause no harm to the coins ? Yes, but they are very, very few and far between. And even with their use proper procedures must be followed to avoid any harm to the coin.
     
    GDJMSP, Aug 7, 2015
    #23 + Quote Reply
  5. john59

    john59 Well-Known Member


    GDJMSP,

    I don't think you understand the question. It's not about how to clean a coin, it's about if there are any long-term effects on the metal if you clean it with vinegar. Such as spotting after 6 months, turning black after a year.

    Of course we're going to see the effects immediately. But that was not the question in this post.
     
    john59, Aug 7, 2015
    #24 + Quote Reply
  6. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    As I said -

    So, if the coin is rinsed properly after cleaning. Then there will be no other effects. If it is not rinsed properly, then yes there will be.
     
    GDJMSP, Aug 7, 2015
    #25 + Quote Reply
  7. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Or you could French fry them...
     
    Kentucky, Aug 7, 2015
    #26 + Quote Reply
  8. NSP

    NSP Well-Known Member

    Ack! A coin collector's horror movie. And the music certainly doesn't help.
     
    NSP, Aug 7, 2015
    #27 + Quote Reply
  9. eddiespin

    eddiespin Fast Eddie

    Well yeah, vinegar is acidic. Any acid is going to pink-out copper. And it's not going to take 6 months, it's going to happen in more like 1/6th of a second. Even ketchup will pink-out copper.
     
    eddiespin, Aug 7, 2015
    #28 + Quote Reply
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