HELP need cleaning ideas for an IH

[davew0710]

I found an indian head penny with a very heavy green crust on it. I tried tumbling the coin but that did little to remove the green crust. The crust cover most of the coin and I can only tell it's an IH by the little bit of color I see and the FE CO
readings on the E Trac.

Any ideas on the best way to clean the penny?

[michigan michael]

I just dug an 1867 Indian and am trying to get all the mud off. People have suggested using peroxide but, I am afraid it will kill the value. What would you do?

[Nick A]

For removing green hardened crust, try electrolysis.

For removing mud/dirt on a fragile indian head, I would rub with a slightly moist, not damp, old towel. Sometimes the surfaces are stable and nice and green. Many times they are not. If the surface is broken and areas are corroded and not smooth and green, but rough and orange your penny is probably not going to have much value. In this case, a soft toothbrush and water will clean it up as good as it will get. Peroxide is an option, but it will remove unstable corrosion and possibly turn the coin a blackish color rather than green.

[RiverRat3]

With pennies if I cannot tell the date then I will give it a peroxide bath. I would heat peroxide in the microwave for approximately 20 seconds then drop the penny in the peroxide. When the penny and peroxide stop bubbling (fizzing) I remove the penny and slightly wipe a cotton Q-tip soaked with peroxide over the coin with no pressure. Usually I will be able to read the date. Peroxide severely dries your coin. After a day rub vaseline on the coin lightly. Its how I sometimes take care of my coins. If I can read the date I leave them alone. I keep all my coins and if you are woried about value then leave it alone and take it to a professional. Happy Hunting and I hope you find many more.