Whether you’re a scavenger or treasure hunter, you may stumble across old coins. Even if you’re not, you may still find old, dirty coins in parking lots, couches, and elsewhere. Do you suspect that the coins could be worth something? You’ll want to clean them and return them to pristine condition to increase their overall value.
While there are numerous ways to achieve this goal, using a rock tumbler not recommended by many people, although rock tumbling can be an effective way to polish your coins while removing dirt and grime. What should you know about using a tumbler to clean the old coins you’ve found during your adventures?
Read the guide below to find out more about the rock tumbling process.
What Is A Rock Tumbler?
A rock tumbler is a machine that utilizes tumbling action to break loose dirt and other debris. Coins are placed inside the machine along with a gritty substance prior to each use. The tumbling action and gritty substance work together to free debris from the surface.
What The US Mint Says
The United States Mint is responsible for producing coins used in the United States. It also controls the movement of bullion. It doesn’t manufacture paper money and instead focuses solely on coins. Today, the Mint has facilities in several areas, including Denver, San Francisco, West Point, Fort Knox, and Philadelphia.
What does the United States Mint say about cleaning old coins? In general, the agency does not recommend cleaning coins. If you absolutely must, the agency encourages consumers to remove dirt from their coins using water and mild soap. It refers to coins in poor condition as uncurrent.
If you’d like to redeem these coins for their full value, you should take them to your local bank. Nevertheless, some people are interested in collecting old coins and saving them as a potential long-term investment. Individuals looking to make a quick penny should trade the coins in at their local bank.
Others often consider running the coins through a tumbler to make them look new and shiny once again.
Rock Tumblers Can Be Risky
Using a rock tumbler can be a good way to clean your coins, but extreme caution must be taken to avoid irreparable damage. Videos available on YouTube can show you how to clean coins using a tumbler. Usually, these individuals will pour large quantities of coins into the tumbler before adding several pounds of sand or small gravel.
The process will make the coins look bright and shiny again, but there is a good chance that the coins are going to be severely damaged. Gravel and sand are significantly harder than the metals used to produce pennies, quarters, dimes, and other coins. Therefore, tumbling your coins using this method is going to damage the surfaces and edges.
Look closely at the surface of your coins and you’ll see that they have gouges and other flaws now.
Tumbling Safely Using Softer Media?
Rock tumbling coins to clean them can be destructive if you’re using sand or gravel. Instead, you should consider using a gentler media, such as crushed walnut shells or corn cobs. Since the shells are softer than rock and sand, the damage will be limited. Nevertheless, the coins are likely still going to develop noticeable scratches and blemishes.
Long-term collectors are not eager to purchase or hold onto damaged coins because they’re worth less. Believe it or not, it might be better to leave the coins as they are and let them display their age. Untouched coins are often more attractive and valuable than coins with damaged surfaces.
The fact was pointed out by the United States Mint at one point. If you must clean your quarters or pennies, it would be better to wipe them with a soft rag and gentle soap.
What About Corroded Coins?
Is it possible to clean corroded coins in a tumbler? Certain coin collectors have years of experience cleaning dirty, corroded coins. Some have coins dating back to the days of the Roman Empire. Are these reputable collectors using tumblers to clean their coins? The majority of the world’s leading coin collectors will not use tumblers because they’re too damaging.
If you cannot find a suitable way to clean the coins, you can always try using them. For instance, you might be able to exchange the coins at your local bank. Alternatively, you can use them at a toll booth or Laundromat. Using this method means that you likely don’t have to worry about cleaning or damaging the coins.
Since they’re already corroded, the value of such points is limited anyway. It is better to remove them from your collection and look for coins that are in better condition.
Dealing With Mutilated Coins
Coins described as “uncurrent” can probably be used at Laundromats or vending machines. You might be able to get money from them at your local bank too. However, some coins are in an even worse condition and cannot be disposed of using these methods. The US Mint calls these coins mutilated because they’re in terrible condition.
They may be bent, very corroded, or melted. Since you are going to have difficulty dealing with these coins, you should take them to the United States Mint. The agency tends to redeem mutilated coins that are not going to be accepted by conventional banks. If this is something that interests you, it is wise to read more about the United State Mint’s Mutilated Coin Redemption Program.
Trading them in is better than rock-tumbling coins that are mutilated because you may destroy them using a tumbler.
Use Precaution
Newbie collectors may believe cleaning will add value to their old coins. Experts suggest using precaution when cleaning collectibles, including vintage coins. There is no evidence to support an increase in the value of coins that have been recently cleaned. If you have any questions, you can always speak directly with a professional coin collector.
Like any type of collectible, abrasive cleaners can alter the aesthetics of old coins. Abrasive cleaners include coarse ingredients like sand. Ask yourself if sandpaper or steel wool is suitable for cleaning valuable gems. The same decision should be applied to your old coins.
Summary
While some collectors swear by the rock tumbler for cleaning old coins, it is not always the best option. Gentle cleaning with warm non-abrasive soap and water can sometimes achieve the same results. The only difference is the latter comes with fewer risks.