Tarnished Silver Cleaning Method

[angellionel]

I finally had some time to clean the half dollars I found this weekend. They were deeply tarnished with a heavy sulfide coating. Aside from a soak in ammonia, to remove rust and any other stains, I used a method I read about some time ago to reduce the sulfide coating. It's often used to remove tarnish from silverware. I've included it below in case anyone is interested in trying it on badly tarnished silver.

This is what they look like now:

And here they are when they were still tarnished:

The method:

You will need baking soda, distilled water, and a 5X4 aluminum plate, or at least one that is small enough to fit in a glass dish. I used heavy-duty aluminum foil, but it is a bit hard to use. If using heavy-duty aluminum foil, it is important that it not be crinkled, as this tends to leave unsightly lines on a coin. It also has to be changed after each use.

Place the aluminum plate in the dish and lay the coin(s) on top of the plate. Add two tablespoons of baking soda to one quart of very hot water. Mix in well. Now pour the water into the dish, making sure the aluminum plate and coin(s) are fully submerged. Allow the coin to soak for 10 minutes.

If the tarnish is not fully removed after 10 minutes, repeat the procedure outlined above. Repeat all steps until all tarnish is removed or you're satisfied with the result. Wash the cleaned coin with distilled water and pat dry with a cotton towel. Avoid any rubbing motion!

It might take a few tries on a heavily stained coin, but it does work well.

Angel

 

[Cfmct]

They look great Angel.. Thanks for posting


Do we have to preheat the oven to 425?

 

[angellionel]

It does sound like a coin baking recipe.

Angel

 

[Terry55]

Good tip Angel. Thanks for posting it.

 

[hoser]

Thanks Angle, thats a good tip. I found out the coin dealers around here use a dip called Connoisseurs silver jewelery cleaner. I have used this with great results. As it cleans the silver with NO rubbing. The coins I have dipped have come out really well. And no, I wouldn't do this to a coin that was worth a lot of money. Just the ones I want to look better.

 

[angellionel]

I have found that to be the case too, hoser.

I think, though, that the dips many dealers use are fine for uncirculated coins, where they still have a somewhat shiny surface, but may have acquired some tarnishing or carbon spots. They often do this (though many will deny it to death!) in order to make the coin "eye-appealing" to prospective buyers.

It's just my opinion and personal preference of course, but I personally stay away from such dips for use on circulated or found silver coins. The "shiny" effect they leave on such coins tends to look too unnatural for my taste, detracting from the coin's actual "aged" beauty. I prefer to use methods that allow the coin to retain its aged look. I find them to be much more appealing that way.

Angel