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Best Practices for Cleaning Challenge Coins
Renita Wingfield- Command Challenge Coins
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- Best Practices for Cleaning Challenge Coins
Challenge coins hold significant value and symbolism, often representing personal achievements, organizational membership, or special recognitions in various fields, including the military and other government entities. Keeping these coins in pristine condition is not only a matter of aesthetic appeal but also one of preserving their inherent value and meaning. This blog provides a comprehensive guide on how to clean challenge coins, ensuring that they maintain their luster and integrity for years to come.
Understanding Challenge Coins

Challenge coins are not only tokens of recognition but also works of craftsmanship that embody a rich history and tradition. Each coin is a meld of artistic design and metallurgical composition, making their care not just routine maintenance but a preservation of legacy. To ensure effective and safe cleaning, a fundamental understanding of their composition and characteristics is essential.
Composition of Challenge Coins
Challenge coins are primarily crafted from various metals, each selected for its durability and aesthetic appeal. Here's a closer look at the most common metals used:
- Brass: Known for its resilience and golden hue, brass is a popular choice for challenge coins. It is an alloy of copper and zinc, which can tarnish over time when exposed to air and moisture but is relatively easy to clean and maintain.
- Copper: Copper is prized for its natural reddish-orange color and is often used for its beauty. Like brass, it can tarnish or develop a green patina unless properly cared for.
- Nickel: Nickel coins are durable and resistant to corrosion. They have a silver color and are often used for their ability to hold fine details and a polished finish.
- Silver: Some challenge coins are made from silver, especially those intended as high-value commemorations. Silver has a high luster but can tarnish quickly, requiring regular maintenance.
- Gold: The use of gold in challenge coins is usually reserved for the highest honors. Gold does not tarnish like other metals, but it is softer and more prone to scratching.
Finishes and Their Care
The finish of a challenge coin can greatly influence the methods and products suitable for its cleaning:
- Antique Finish: This finish gives the coin a vintage look that highlights the details of the design through an artificial tarnishing process. Coins with an antique finish usually require gentle cleaning to preserve the intentionally aged appearance.
- Polished Finish: A high gloss finish that enhances the coin’s shine. Such coins need to be handled carefully to avoid scratches. Cleaning typically involves mild agents and soft cloths to maintain the mirror-like surface.
- Painted Finish: Many modern challenge coins feature colorful enamel paints to highlight certain aspects of their design. These coins need to be cleaned very carefully to avoid damaging the paint. Typically, only a soft, damp cloth should be used.
Significance of Metal and Finish in Cleaning
The choice of metal and the type of finish have significant implications for cleaning practices. For instance, coins made of softer metals like gold or silver require non-abrasive cleaning methods to prevent scratching, while those with an antique finish should not be cleaned too rigorously to avoid losing the intentionally tarnished detail. Understanding these aspects allows for the selection of appropriate cleaning agents and techniques that will enhance the coin’s appearance without compromising its integrity.
By respecting the material and finish of each challenge coin, collectors and recipients can ensure that these emblems of honor and achievement are preserved in their best condition, reflecting the esteem they are meant to represent. This careful consideration in maintenance not only extends the life of the coins but also maintains the spirit and tradition they embody.
Pre-Cleaning Considerations
- Identify the Material: Determine the metal of your challenge coin, as this will dictate the safest cleaning methods to use.
- Inspect for Damage: Carefully inspect the coin for any existing damage or peculiarities like painted areas, enameling, or epoxy coating. Cleaning methods may vary if the coin has intricate designs or added colors.
Cleaning Methods for Challenge Coins
1. Basic Cleaning
For general maintenance and light cleaning:
- Soap and Water: This is the safest method for how to clean challenge coins. Use a mild soap and warm water to gently clean the coin. Use a soft cloth or a soft-bristle toothbrush to lightly scrub the surface. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to avoid any soap residue.
2. Intermediate Cleaning
If your coin is more tarnished or has not been cleaned for a long time, consider a slightly more robust method.
- Vinegar and Salt Solution: Mix white vinegar with salt to create a gentle abrasive solution. This can help remove tarnishes without damaging the underlying metal. Apply the solution with a cloth and gently rub the coin. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.
3. Advanced Cleaning
For particularly stubborn tarnish or grime:
- Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste. Apply this to the coin and gently scrub it with a soft cloth or toothbrush. This method is particularly useful for silver or heavily tarnished coins.
Drying and Polishing
After cleaning, it’s crucial to dry your challenge coin completely. Any residual moisture can lead to tarnishing or corrosion over time. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to pat the coin dry gently. If desired, you can use a specialized polishing cloth designed for metal to give your coin an extra shine. Avoid using metal polishes or any abrasive materials that can strip away finishes and details.
Long-Term Care and Storage
Proper storage and handling are crucial for maintaining the pristine condition of challenge coins over time. Beyond regular cleaning, the way you store and care for these coins can significantly impact their longevity and preservation. Here, we'll delve deeper into effective storage strategies and protective measures that safeguard your coins from environmental damage, tarnishing, and physical wear.
Storage Environment
The ideal storage condition for challenge coins is a controlled environment where temperature and humidity are kept consistent. Fluctuations in these conditions can cause metals to expand and contract, potentially leading to micro-cracks and accelerated tarnishing. To prevent such damage:
- Temperature-Controlled Settings: Store your coins in a location where the temperature is consistently cool. Excessive heat can lead to oxidation, which may tarnish or corrode the metal surface over time.
- Reduced Humidity: Humidity is a key factor in the corrosion process. Storing your coins in a low-humidity environment helps prevent the onset of corrosion and tarnish. Silica gel packets can be placed in the storage area to absorb any excess moisture and protect the coins.
- Ventilation: Good air circulation helps to keep the environment around the coins dry and free from stagnant air that could carry pollutants or moisture. However, direct airflow (like that from a vent or fan) should be avoided as it can increase dust accumulation and potential physical damage.
Protective Cases
Using protective cases is an effective way to shield your coins from both environmental factors and physical damage:
- Coin Capsules: These are some of the most popular storage solutions for individual challenge coins. Made from clear, hard plastic, capsules allow for viewing the coin while completely enclosing it, thus protecting it from dust, dirt, and direct handling. Ensure that the capsule fits the coin snugly to avoid movement that could cause scratches.
- Coin Slabs: For especially valuable or collectible coins, professional coin slabs offer a more secure solution. These are typically sealed and include a label that can detail the coin's specifics, such as origin, grade, and material.
- Soft Pouches: For less formal storage or for coins frequently transported, soft pouches made of velvet or felt can prevent scratches. These pouches are not recommended for long-term storage as they offer minimal protection against environmental factors.
- Storage Boxes: For collectors with multiple coins, specially designed storage boxes can provide both organization and protection. These boxes often feature individual compartments lined with soft fabric or foam inserts that fit each coin.
Handling Precautions
When handling challenge coins, always ensure your hands are clean and free of oils or dirt, which can transfer to the coin surfaces. It's advisable to wear cotton gloves when placing coins in or taking them out of storage. This practice avoids fingerprints, which can corrode the metal over time.
Regular Inspection
Even with the best storage solutions, regular inspection of your collection is crucial. This helps you catch any signs of deterioration early and take corrective actions before any serious damage occurs. During inspection, look for signs of tarnish, corrosion, or other changes and address these issues promptly.
By prioritizing these long-term care and storage practices, you can significantly extend the life and appearance of your challenge coins. These methods underscore the importance of preventive care and the value of maintaining the integrity of each coin, reflecting a deep respect for their symbolic and material worth.
Maintaining the condition of your challenge coins is vital to preserving their beauty and significance. By following these best practices for how to clean challenge coins, you can ensure that your coins remain in excellent condition, reflecting their esteemed value and tradition.
Key Takeaways
- Always determine the metal type of your challenge coin to choose the appropriate cleaning method.
- For regular maintenance, mild soap and warm water are sufficient to keep your coins clean and lustrous.
- For heavier tarnish, use a vinegar and salt solution or a baking soda paste for more intensive cleaning.
- Ensure the coin is completely dry after cleaning to prevent damage from moisture.
- Store challenge coins in protective cases and manage environmental conditions to prolong their pristine condition.
Discover the Honor Behind Every Coin
At Command Challenge Coins, we're not just creating tokens; we're forging symbols of achievement, unity, and recognition. Our commitment to excellence is mirrored in every meticulously crafted coin, embodying the values and stories of those who carry them. From the rich history embedded in military traditions to the contemporary applications across various sectors, challenge coins represent more than just metal—they symbolize a legacy of honor and camaraderie.
Have a design in mind or need guidance on creating your unique challenge coin? Get a free quote today to consult with our specialists.