How Do You Clean A Corroded Coin If Peroxide Doesnt Work?

[MilitariaCollector]

I found my first Indian Head penny and it is quite corroded. I tried soaking the coin in peroxide for 30 minutes, but not much happened. The coin doesnt appear to be worn down, the details are just obscured by the corrosion. I cant read the date and its really bugging me. What is the next step to cleaning the coin when peroxide doesnt work?

 

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[Don in SJ]

Peroxide is for removing dirt, not hard encrusted corrosion...............

 

[lastleg]

With little to lose I would let the IH soak in 'Go-Jo' for a
few hours. Use a wood toothpick on the corrosion. Don't
leave it overnight. Instead let it set in a plastic bottlecap
with dishwater liquid soap diluted in soft water. Distilled
water is safest. Next day get another bottlecap and let
soak in 'Go-Jo' for a couple hours. Check the coin and
use a toothpick to gently prod the corrosion off.
I have used this method on badly stained ugly coppers
with mixed results. It won't hurt the coin if you monitor
closely. Too long in the hand cleaner will remove the aged
appearance.
Go-Jo is amazing at refinishing dulled furniture while
protecting the wood. I never use strong solvents on good
antique wood since discovering this procuct.
If you have time to carefully watch the coin you can get
most of the stains off coppers using Go-Jo, not the other
similar hand cleaner which has no lanolin.

lastleg

 

[Swartzie]

Olive oil will loosen the dirt up a bit. Let it soak for a few minutes or longer. Then try to clean the crud off. I use a brass brush on wheat pennies. Works pretty good. But for some they're just too corroded and still look like crap.

 

[arizonaames]

Rock tumbler with washed gravel, a little water, and a lot of dish soap. It will come out new after about 2 to 4 hours.