Silver coins have become a common thing with everyone today due to its increasing popularity as a sure shot form of investment. Silver, like many other metals, can be damaged when exposed to air and so we need to keep a check on the condition of the coins regularly. If exposed to air for a longer period of time, silver gets oxidized and can form a black layer of oxide.

This tarnishing of silver coins is due to the chemical reaction caused by the action of sulphur that is present in the air and on the silver. Therefore it is very important to keep your valuable silver coins covered and kept inside, without being exposed to the air or the outside environment for a long period of time. This is the reason why some of the silver coins that we buy are packed in airtight or sealed packs.

However, if your coins are already exposed to air and have most likely turned black and lusterless, do not panic. There are many ways to clean silver coins by undoing the chemical reaction and clearing off the black coating of the coins.

The simplest way of cleaning the coins would be to dip the silver coins in a solution containing lemon acid and let them sink for a while. After a while remove the coins and wipe off the layer on the coin with a soft brush or a piece of cloth and let it dry. Depending on the thickness of the layer formed, you will have to adjust the period of time it has to be in the lemon acid. Adding a piece of iron metal into the solution while soaking will hasten the process of chemical reaction. This additional step is to be used for tougher stains.

Using vinegar, pieces of potato or sour milk also gives effective results if there are small spots on the coins and has not been tarnished much. Make sure to use a soft cloth while you clean it off with water and dry it. It’s better if you can use warm vinegar for effective results.

Commercially, there are many ready to use silver cleaners and these are helpful if you are planning to clean a lot of coins and which are heavily oxidized. The act instantly and you can see the result in seconds. The coins will look like brand new with the use of these cleaners.