1900 indian penny, how to clean without removing patina

[Tenn treasure hunter]

I have found several of these Indian heads and I love the patina, but my in experience has ruined a few due to trying to remover the globs of mud. Mud so bad I can't even tell what penny it is till it's too late. Please some helpful advice to getting the mud off. Tried worn wooden toothpick . Tried the freezing in water to expand and loosen dirt... No good... Amy ideas

 

[vpnavy]

Welcome aboard from the great state of Pennsylvania!

You might consider browsing Sub-Forums: Tennessee for information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state.

Until someone pipes in with a possible solution - I search TN and found a couple of threads that might help...

• How to clean your finds? (Feb 22, 2013)

• Cleaning Coins<---Needs Advice (Dec 14, 2009)

 

[Tom Bigbee]

I just found a 1891 IH that was crusted with dirt. I couldn't make out the date. I poured a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in a bowl and microwaved it till it was hot and dropped the cent in. It immediately started bubbling. Every 30 seconds I would take it out and gently brush it with a toothbrush. I repeated this process for about 2 minutes. The result is in my photo album if you want to check it out. It still has a nice dark green patina and cleaned up really well. It looks better in person. Hope this helps.

 

[Tom Bigbee]

Oh yeah, if you double click on the image it will zoom in closer.

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

I use hydrogen peroxide at room temp. It works well, and I have never damaged a coin.

 

[treasurehound]

Hot boiling proxide is the best method I have found to clean Indian Head pennies.