Cleaning Wartime Silver Alloy Nickels

[angellionel]

A tip for cleaning wartime silver alloy nickels - soak them in ammonia. I've used this method on all 26 silver alloy nickels I have found without damaging them. Of course, if the coin is already pitted, it will show. There's no getting around that.

Here's what I do:

I soak the nickel(s) in ammonia for no more than 10 minutes. The ammonia will start to turn blue, due to the reaction of the copper in the nickel, but no harm is done. At this point I will remove the nickel from the ammonia and will wash it with water and mild soap, using a very soft toothbrush to remove any remaining stains. Rubbing the coin with the fingers could result in hairline scratches, since there may be some grit remaining on the coin, so I avoid doing it.

After removing all remaining stains and making sure there's no residual ammonia left, I use a cotton towel to pat dry the coin. Again, no rubbing!

I did this with the nickel I found this past Saturday, and here's the result:

Before cleaning:


After cleaning


Here are other nickels I've cleaned using this method:


Angel

[poptop]

That sure makes a difference. looks good. Thanks for posting the tip.(Now to find some more)
POP

[Krom]

Nice tip, Angel. Thanks!
Jus' the war-time nickels, right?

[angellionel]

Originally Posted by Krom

....Jus' the war-time nickels, right?

I did try it on a regular 1939 nickel, and it worked well, though that one wasn?t in bad shape to begin with. Most regular nickels come out of the ground with an orange-like tinge, similar to the Buffs I found this Saturday, and the stain won?t come off with ammonia. Other stains or crusted-in soil will come off though.

The silver alloyed nickels hold up well while buried in the ground, thus allowing for a much better clean up.

Angel

[Krom]

I've seen a few mentions of ammonia, but never tried it... yet.
I usually jus' boil a couple ounces of hydrogen peroxide for cleaning coins.

[angellionel]

The hydrogen peroxide method works best on copper coins. I generally try to stay away from soaking them in ammonia, though I have one way of using it on IH's where it provides me with good results.

The ammonia method does work well on silver coins though.

Angel

[Krom]

I thought of that after I clicked Submit, Angel.
The HP does work best on copper, and I didn't mention it like I should've, but I don't use it on silver. Ooops.

[angellionel]

Originally Posted by Krom

I thought of that after I clicked Submit, Angel.
The HP does work best on copper, and I didn't mention it like I should've, but I don't use it on silver. Ooops.

Yeah, I figured you knew that already, but for the sake of some of the new ones just getting into the hobby, I felt it wouldn't hurt to expand on it.

Angel

[Krom]

Oh, absolutely! That's a big part of being able to Search or just cruise in here. I'm glad you clarified it.

[TerryETex]

Thanks for the tip Angel. They look great.

[hoser]

Those came out just great Angle. Thats a real good tip, thanks.

[mitzs]

So is this method good to use on the rare coins that you guys say not to clean?

[DeepBeeps]

Originally Posted by Krom

I've seen a few mentions of ammonia, but never tried it... yet.
I usually jus' boil a couple ounces of hydrogen peroxide for cleaning coins.

Krom,

Are you using just the regular strength HP? I have a bottle of 40% HP and am wandering if this would work. You use this to clean IH and wheats?

[Krom]

Yup. I jus' pour a couple ounces in a cup, pop it in the micro for 2 minutes, take it out and drop the coin(s) in, wait 'til it stops bubblin', and use a plastic-bristled brush for coins and a brass (or iron)-bristled brush for relics.
Be ever-so-careful with something like large cents tho'.... actually, anything copper. Like I mentioned before, I scratched off the last number of a 1793 once trying to get it... ummmmm... "better". Biiiiiiiig no-no...!

[Krom]

Here be a wee bit more help to ya, DeepBeeps:

Uses of peroxide...

More benefits of that plain little ol' bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store.
Most doctors don't tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands of dollars.

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe or shower.) !No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.
3% PEROXIDE ONLY--TASTE TERRIBLE--DO NOT SWALLOW--WILL KEEP FOAMING AFTER USE--RINSE WELL--

2. Let your toothbrushes soak a cup peroxide to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. !Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray !it on the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. !My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Put two capfuls into a douche to prevent yeast infections. I had chronic yeast infections until I tried this once or twice a week.

8. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

9. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. !Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into tissue.

10. If you have a terrible toothache and can not get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

11. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. !It also lightens gradually so it's not a drastic change.

12. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

13. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. !If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. !Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. !Repeat if necessary.

By the way... I just passed this on from my graphics group. Apparently, it was a girl sent it to our group.
(I've never had a yeast infection!)

[glory-days]

Angel, Great cleaning tip. Found a 1943 nickel this past weekend and tried your method. WORKED GREAT!!! Thanks again, Dennis

[angellionel]

Cool, Dennis! What a difference in the look, huh. At least makes the coin presentable.