Cleaning / ID of small coin

[seascan]

Hi. I posted this: http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.p...,278044.0.html in the coin area and I was referred to this forum.

Any recommendation on how to clean this? It appears to be copper (though I am unsure).

It is 2.2 grams and 16mm diameter. Lots of encrustation.

Thanks in advance.

[DrJoePrime]

Hi Seascan ... interesting story, from potential treasure item to penny.

Now that you know it's not treasure you can soak it in vinegar for up to 24 hours and get a specimen coin for your "foreigns" bin.

I'm not sure what could be done for a potentially valuable bronze/copper coin with encrustation like that. I have heard of using a brass brush GENTLY scrubbing away only the encrustation but not sure.

I hope you get an answer on here.

HH Joe

[cedarratt]

Electrolysis!!! Some one posted a photo of a large cent that looked about like that then they ran it threw electrolysis and most of the crusty stuff flaked off. As for the value of it, you have to know what it is first, and then anything you do to clean it destroys that value. Kinda a catch 22