Can an old nickel be made to look like a nickel again?

[Tony N (Michigan)]

I have some older nickels that, well, to be honest, have lost that nice nickel look. They are dull looking.

Is there any way to get that nickel look back?

 

[raptro5618]

I think the most common response you will get it that if they might be worth something, leave them alone. Cleaning reduces the value. If you just want them to look nice and clean I like using a battery charger and some salt water. Takes less than a minute and the coins come out like new sometimes and it takes far less work than metal cleaners. I still use a brass brush but a few strokes and all the crud comes off.

 

[Jack(IN)]

if it has value, then don't mess with it. Sold a 1914-D Buffalo on Ebay for $40.00 and I think a 1915-D for $15.00. I knew the 14-D had more value, but still not bad for dug nickels!!

 

[metalmiester]

Try this. soak them in wostershire sauce for a couple of hours then rinse. You can experiment with the time on soaking I have done it for a day before. The last step is to get Flitz polish and rub on it to restore the original color. It works! does it take the value away? yes any cleaning from original petina will however if you don't care about that then give this a try.

 

[Tony N (Michigan)]

Thanks. Never heard of Flitz polish. Do you know where it can be purchased?

Someone also told me to use Naval Jelly or use C.L.R. He said that the nickel has rust with it looks dark so one has to get the rust out to make it look new again.