How To Clean A Gold Dollar Coin

How to clean a gold dollar coin? Cleaning valuable coins like gold dollars requires care and caution to avoid damaging their delicate surfaces. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the safe, step-by-step process to clean your gold dollars properly.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: never use abrasives or chemicals to clean gold coins as they can scratch the surface or dissolve the metal. Instead, gently wash in warm distilled water with a mild dish soap using your fingertips.

Rinse thoroughly and air dry on a soft cloth.

Understanding Gold Dollar Coin Composition

Gold Content and Purity

Gold dollar coins contain a high percentage of pure gold. The gold content and purity can vary depending on the type and year of the coin, but most contain at least 90% pure gold. For example, the American Gold Eagle coins contain 91.67% pure gold.

The remaining 8.33% is copper and silver added for increased durability.

The high gold purity gives the coins their intrinsic value and bright, shiny golden color. Understanding the precise gold content is important for assessing the market value of a gold coin.

Alloys and Impurities

While gold dollar coins have a high gold purity, they also contain small amounts of alloys and impurities that impact the color, durability, and value:

Copper is commonly added to strengthen gold coins and provide a reddish tint.
Silver may be included as an alloying agent, lending a pale color.
Other metals like zinc, nickel, iron, and manganese could enter gold coins as impurities during the minting process.

The type and amount of alloys and contaminants often depend on the minting standards and period when the gold coins were produced. Carefully inspecting a coin under a magnifying glass can reveal these subtle elements influencing its composition.

Surfaces and Wear

While pure gold is very soft, the alloyed gold in coins allows them to better resist scratches, dents, and wear over time. However, their surfaces can still become damaged with extensive handling and circulation:

Light scratches subtly impact the luster and reduce a coin’s grade.
Dents and nicks permanently damage the rim and surface.
Wear flattens with high points of relief and designs.

A coin’s grade considers how much wear has occurred and the condition of surfaces. Careful storage in protective holders preserves pristine surfaces. Understanding what impacts surface quality allows proper handling to maintain a coin’s value.

Dangers of Improper Cleaning

Cleaning gold dollar coins improperly can permanently damage and reduce their value. It’s important to understand the potential risks before attempting to clean valuable coins.

Abrasives

Using abrasive materials like steel wool or abrasive cleaners can permanently scratch the coin surface, damaging the delicate patina that builds up over time. This reduces eye appeal and collector value. Gentle cleaning methods should always be used instead.

Household Cleaners and Solvents

Soaking coins in household cleaners, solvents, or acids can dissolve the coin surface or alter it through chemical reactions. This damages the intricate details of the coin design that collectors value. Specialty coin cleaning solutions are safer options.

Tap Water and Moisture

Exposing coins to tap water can leave mineral residue from the water behind after drying. Trapped moisture can also instigate corrosion or other chemical reactions over time. Distilled water is a safer option if water is necessary for cleaning.

Heat Exposure

Excessive heat from blow dryers, ovens, or other sources can anneal or weaken the molecular structure of the coin metal. This can alter the coin’s appearance and reduce value. Air drying coins at room temperature is recommended.

Handling Wear and Tear

Improper handling of coins while cleaning can also introduce scratches, nicks, fingerprints, and other signs of wear. Using clean cotton gloves while handling is recommended. Over-rubbing or scrubbing areas of the coin can cause gradual abrasion over time as well.

Reputable coin dealer websites like PCGS CoinFacts provide more detailed guidance on safely cleaning different types of coins. But when in doubt, it’s best to avoid cleaning valuable coins whenever possible to preserve their condition and value.

Safely Cleaning Gold Dollar Coins

Supplies You’ll Need

When undertaking the rewarding task of cleaning valuable gold dollar coins, having the proper supplies is key. First, you’ll need a shallow glass or plastic container that allows you to fully submerge the coins.

Next, gather distilled white vinegar and dish soap, which when combined create an effective yet gentle coin-cleaning solution. You’ll also require a few super soft, lint-free cloths to gingerly wipe down the coins without causing scratches.

And it’s wise to use latex gloves so that the oils from your hands don’t get transferred onto the coins and impact their brilliance.

Fill Container with Warm Distilled Water

Start by filling your shallow container with warm distilled water, being careful not to make it too hot. Distilled water is recommended as it lacks impurities that may leave spots and residues. The warmth of the water helps loosen up accumulated dirt and oils on the coin’s surface.

However, be sure not to use extremely hot water as it could potentially damage more delicate coins.

Add Mild Dish Soap

Next, squirt a small amount of gentle dish soap into the water and swirl the container gently to combine it. Liquid dish soaps like Dawn or Palmolive work perfectly. The soap will help lift grease and soil.

But go light on the soap as you don’t want to use so much that it proves tough to fully rinse off later.

Gently Clean with Fingertips

Now you’re ready to clean. Use your gloved fingertips to gently rub the front and back of the submerged coin to displace dirt. Take care not to scrub too hard as that friction could microscopically scratch the coin surface. You’ll see soils begin releasing.

After about 30 seconds, remove the coin from the solution and rinse.

Rinse Thoroughly

Rinsing is vital to fully remove cleaning solution residues that may stick and lead to spots or stains. Rinse under a steady stream of cool water while carefully wiping with a soft cloth. Inspect closely while rinsing to ensure all soap bubbles and residues have been eliminated.

It’s smart to do a final quick rinse with distilled water to wash away any last remnants of tap water minerals.

Air Dry on a Soft Cloth

The final step is just as crucial. Carefully pat the thoroughly rinsed coin with a soft lint-free cloth to soak up all moisture. Avoid rubbing as that generates friction. Then allow the coin to completely air dry on the cloth. This helps guarantee no water deposits are left behind.

Once fully dry, your coin will be sparkling clean and ready for safe storage or display!

Storing and Preserving Cleaned Coins

Choose Inert Storage Materials

When storing cleaned coins, it’s important to use inert materials that will not interact chemically with the coin surface. Good options include acid-free paper and cardboard, high-quality plastic cases or tubes, and fabric coin bags made of soft cotton, microfiber, or even silk.

Avoid wood, leather, and PVC plastic as these can react with coin surfaces over time.

Guard Against Moisture and Humidity

Moisture and high humidity can lead to spotting, hazing, and corrosion on delicate cleaned coin surfaces. The best way to guard against this is to store coins in an area with a stable, low relative humidity of around 35-45%. Consider using silica gel desiccants or a dehumidifier if needed.

Proper ventilation is also key – do not seal coins in totally airtight containers long term.

Maintain Consistent Temperature

Temperature fluctuations can cause subtle expansion and contraction of coin surfaces, leading to possible damage over many cycles. For preservation, maintain storage areas at a stable room temperature between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Avoid areas with extreme heat or cold when possible.

Use Protective Coin Holders and Cases

For long-term storage, house-cleaned coins in archival quality holders or cases. These often have an inert plastic core with soft fabric or microfiber pockets to gently cradle the coins. Some feature airtight seals for moisture control. Better models even have anti-tarnish strips.

Quality brands for coin supplies include Wizard Coin Supply and BCW Supplies.

Handle with Care to Avoid Recontamination

Even with properly cleaned coin surfaces, it’s vital to always handle them carefully by the edges. Simple pressure or friction from bare fingertips can leave oils, salts, and dirt that detract from a coin’s luster.

Consider using a soft tool like chopsticks or tweezers if needing to frequently access stored coins. Always wash your hands thoroughly first or wear thin cotton gloves.