How To Clean C Copper Coin

[Stargazer]

I have found a farthing which I wish to make new and shiny to give a grandchild as a keepsake. Is vinegar the answer or is there something better?

[sandyRoe]

whatever you do don't use any type of scourer

[dollie65]

try putting it in a glass of coca cola

[paddywak]

Coca Cola

[shoota]

Coca-cola used to clean copper - whether it still will now the formula has changed I know not.

[SlackAlice]

Brown sauce.

[chrisgel]

Brown sauce (Vinegar) - Leave coin covered in it for 15 minutes and use an old toothbrush to remove any stubborn bits.

[Svejk]

We used to use brown sauce.
Probably the vinegar in that.

[Sharingan]

If it's a coin of no value you want to make shiny then clean it once with brasso it'll then only need buffing with a cloth occasionally, but as Sandy says if there is any value to it don't clean it at all.
(If you do clean it with brasso use two toothbrushes, one to clean it, then buff with a cloth to polish it and the use a dry one to flick out any dried product in the lettering etc ).

[Mosaic]

Orange juice also does the trick, as does tomato sauce. The sauces are a good option because they are gummy and adhere to the metal better. Otherwise stick it in a tumbler containing a half inch of coca cola or oj.

[redvanman]

Hi place it in a cup coca cola for a day or 2

[TheOtherHalf]

Never tried it but Ive heard tomato sauce will do it

[maggiebee]

Used to use coke, but haven't tried recently.

[Svejk]

You could always take it to the shop and get 2 blackjacks and a flying saucer.

[stewey]

A mixture of of vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. Or simply let it marinate in jewelery cleaner. Or any of the previous suggestions: they all work. First make sure that the coin is of no value to a collector. If you don't know, post the date of it on here and I'll check my book...Cheers.

[stewey]

P.S: Farthings were made of bronze; the half-farthings were copper. Just a cent's worth of trivia.

[stewey]

Oops, there were copper farthings minted until 1860.

[Stargazer]

This particular farthing is dated 1944 which surprised me as I did not realise they were still currency at that date. I don't remember them being used and I was born in 1943. Knowing this date, does that alter what I should use to clean it?

[stewey]

Starting in 1937, the wren appeared on the reverse side rather than Britannia.In 1944, approximately 22 million were minted. Even if yours is in choice, uncirculated condition it would not have much value at all. But it is an interesting piece of history for your grandchild, Stargazer, so go ahead and clean it with any of the above methods or even a combination of them.

[askyourgran]

Coke or tomato sauce. My OH put an old penny with his DOB on it and left it in a glass of coke. It looks better than he does for that age.

[Answerprancer]

Brasso (or duraglit) then put it into one of those tiny polythene zip bags.