How to Clean Coins With Coke

Collecting coins is a great pastime. Because most coins have been in circulation for years, they are generally very dirty. Coins that have been found through metal detection are particularly dirty because they've been exposed to dirt and the elements for long periods of time. One of the easiest ways to restore old coins is with Coke.

Verify the type of coin you are cleaning. This information can be obtained by the coin's date and mint mark, if it is visible. If you think the coin is valuable, take it to a coin dealer for verification after it's cleaned.

Rinse the coin under running cold water. Clog the sink before rinsing in case the coin slips from your fingers. Avoid rubbing the coin as it's being rinsed because this can scratch it.

Soak the coin in a small bowl of Coke for approximately 5 minutes.

Rinse the coin again under cold running water. If it's clean, proceed to the drying step, No. 8. If it's still not clean, continue with the next step.

Return the coin to the bowl of Coke and let it set for 15 minutes.

Brush the coin with a very soft toothbrush. Brush only the soiled area and avoid applying too much pressure. If dirt still remains, use a magnifying glass and a toothpick to carefully chip off the dirt.

Rinse the coin one final time under cold running water.

Dry the coin with a soft cloth. Pat the coin dry instead of rubbing the coin.