If you want to bring out the shine in your Nelson Mandela coins, there are a few things you should know before attempting to clean them. If your coins are valuable, cleaning them can diminish their worth if not done properly - sometimes by as much as 90%. Contrary to popular belief, cleaning won’t improve your Mandela coins’ grading (the standards used by coin collectors and dealers to evaluate a coin), but they can make them more visually appealing. There are ways to clean your pieces effectively without causing noticeable damage.

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6 tips for cleaning your Nelson Mandela coins

Before you clean your coin collection, read through the following helpful pointers to get a better idea of how to bring out their shine without damaging them or decreasing their worth.

Verify the coin's value - Look the coin up in a coin price guide to find out its worth. For modern coins, you’ll need to know the date and the mint mark (if one is present). If you can’t make out the date, or if the coin is so stained or dirty that you can’t tell what it is, try looking at it with a magnifying glass. Alternatively, check with a coin dealer, such as Scoin Shop, before cleaning your collection.

Cold, running water - Hold the coin by its edges as touching the surface can cause small scratches. Resist rubbing the coin to clean it, as this can decrease its value. Run cold water over it for about a minute. The higher your water pressure, the better.

Soak in vinegar - Soak your coin in vinegar for anywhere between a few seconds to a couple minutes. This will help remove any contaminations.

Light brush strokes - If dirt remains, carefully scrub the coin with a soft-bristle toothbrush and dish soap. Run the toothbrush under warm water to further soften the bristles, and rinse the brush and the coin frequently to avoid scratching the coin with the loosened dirt.

Dry the coin - Pat the coin dry with a soft, lint-free fabric. Lay it on a spongy, dry cloth to finish drying. Never rub the coin dry.

Spot clean - To remove small spots of dirt, use a small, pointed implement such as a toothpick or a precision screwdriver. You can spot-clean more precisely if you work under good lighting and use a microscope or magnifying glass.