How to Paint Coins

Painting coins is a great hobby for coin enthusiasts and those who love to paint items with small details. Using hard enamel paint is important to use because it creates a smoother finish and has a tendency not to crack like soft enamel paint does. Creating beautiful coin designs can be done by sketching out and colouring the design on paper first and then meticulously replicating that design onto the coin.

Quickly wash existing coins in warm water and mild soap. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub dirt from crevices of the coin's surface. Pat coin dry with a soft cloth.

Mix enamel paints to a smooth consistency by adding eye drops of warm water. If using different coloured paints, determine what the finished painted coin will look like. Practice with the paints by drawing a coin on a piece of art paper.

Lay coin backside down on newsprint. Carefully paint over the areas of the coin's face. Let the front side of the coin dry naturally for 3-4 hours before turning it over to paint the backside. If using metallic paints such gold or silver, paint several layers of paint onto the coins. Let one paint layer dry before painting on the next layer.

Purchase a blank coin template from an arts and supply craft store. Buy a bag of different sized coins to practice painting on. Some coin templates are made of metals such as lightweight aluminium and coated hard plastic.

Practice the coin design on a piece of paper prior to painting. Place a real coin on a blank piece of paper and trace around it to ensure proper size of coin template. Download and print pictures to include onto coin such as birds, flowers and flags. Use tracing paper to copy the image onto the paper template.

Mix the enamel paints to a smooth consistency. Lay the coin backside down onto a piece of newsprint. Use a small brush to paint the face of the coin. Paint the larger coloured sections first and then finish off with the smaller sections. To make colours more vivid, allow the first coat to dry and then apply another coat in the same colours.

Let the front side of the coin dry naturally for 1-2 hours. Turn the coin over on the newsprint and paint the backside. Apply additional coats of paint for more vivid colours.