cleaning silver

[The Freethinker]

Some of my silver coins have gotten slight tarnish. These are the ones which I have left in plastic envelopes provided by the vendor.

Notably, the coins which came in tubes are still flawless and shiny.

I read contradicting info on cleaning silver coins: some say DO NOT DO IT because it'll just ruin it; others say it's safe to do it but it has to be done by a professional and even then it's risky; and some say just plop it on hot water with salt and baking soda, on a bed of aluminum foil, and most of the tarnish goes away without damage to the coin.

Any experiences folks? Any recommendations or warnings?

 

[Seraphim]

Don't.

Everyone knows silver tarnishes and it has ZERO bearing on what an investor will pay for it.

 

[Lovecraftian4Paul]

I've seen several products out on the market that supposedly accomplish this. I've never tried any myself, though. I am also somewhat skeptical of their claims. Better to risk leaving it alone, especially if it's pretty light tarnishing, rather than rubbing off features or causing worse damage further down the line. Silver is valuable under any conditions. Even barely legible junk coins will get spot price.

 

[Original_Intent]

If they are actual coins, never do anything to try to improve the grade - you won't and you risk significantly lowering the grade. In some cases, tarnishing enhances the value.

If you are talking just silver bullion - you aren;t really accomplishing much, but sure if you just like it shiny, go for it. But again, you aren't improving the value so you are out the effort and cost.

 

[Zippyjuan]

You may try changing the container (some may contain acids which aid in the tarnishing) but it is recommended not to clean silver coins- especially investment grade (high quality) coins. Junk silver is mostly for their silver content and cleaning them is fine but collectors coins are based on condition and cleaning the tarnish can reduce the condition rating and its value.

 

[matt0611]

Unless you personally care how the coins look and you want them shiny, don't do it. Its fine if they have some tarnish. Silver tarnishes, it comes when you clean it.
I would just leave it.

 

[AcousticFoodie]

Unless it truly bothers you I wouldn't do it. Some buyers feel more comfortable buying silver with tarnish to ensure that it's legit.

 

[RCA]

Cleaning REDUCES the value as well as your savings.

 

[eduardo89]

don't ever clean silver coins! it destroys any numismatic value they might have!!!

 

[Becker]

easiest way to clean silver : baking soda, sometimes people put it with aluminum foil in water, some have told me baking soda alone works fine. If you have "proof" coins, dont rub too hard, they can scratch easily.

Easiest way to clean copper : ketchup

 

[Becker]

don't ever clean silver coins! it destroys any numismatic value they might have!!!

which is why i dont buy numismatic in the first place.

 

[steve005]

when the price shoots up, I'm going to take my 90% and make them shiny, and sell them at flee markets as numismatic , because soon enough so many will have been melted down that they will be

 

[SisCyn]

Prevent silver from tarnishing in the first place. 3M makes anti-tarnish paper strips that will prevent sterling from tarnishing. There are also anti-tarnish jewelry boxes. QVC is one place that they can be ordered from. They are called Silver Safekeeper jewelry boxes.

http://www.silverguard.com/c-9-3m-anti-tarnish-strips.aspx

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/app.nav/params.class.6888/walk.yah.1001?&cookie=set

You can find some of these products on ebay, too.