how to clean Indian head penny

[nkk123]

hi all,

Can any one tell me how to clean or polish an Indian head penny?.....
thanks

 

[Sandman]

First, welcome to Tnet.

First you should check the date to see it's value if any.

http://coins.about.com/b/2006/09/23/how-to-clean-coins-safely.htm

 

[nkk123]

First, welcome to Tnet.

First you should check the date to see it's value if any.

http://coins.about.com/b/2006/09/23/how-to-clean-coins-safely.htm

it so dirty i can't see the date on it , i washed with soap and water, i see the indian head out line may be been in the ground so long it rested away...

 

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

Never clean coins. Just wash off the dirt w/soap and water.

 

[OutBack Duo]

The first thing that I do with any copper coin is drop them in water to keep them moist. If they dry out then they are harder to clean with soap and water. The other thing that I use is my wife's sonic cleaner with a little soap and water in it. You will be surprised how much of the dirt that this will clean off without damaging the coin.

 

[Swartzie]

I don't use any water at all. If you use water it will wash out any contrast. I put the coin in boiling hydrogen peroxide for a minute or less. This will get the crap off the coin. Then I will rub the coin between my thumb and finger (don't ever rub silver though). This will make all the high spots (date, face, letters) on the coin stand out. The more you rub, the darker the high spots will get. It's the oils on your fingers that make the high spots darker. If you need more oil, then run your thumb across your forehead to pick up more. Again, I use no water at all. Same for cleaning old buttons. Just rub them clean. You'll keep the contrast so the letters stand out more. Here's a picture of the last indian I found. Think that last eight looks a little funny?

-Swartzie

 

[Slingshot]

Old coppers that are crusted over so badly that you can't see the date need a olive oil soaking for several hours, then carefully rub with a toothpick, to remove the gunk from the coin. Repeat untill you are satisfied, or untill the copper begins to show through the green patina. Good luck!

 

[Connecticut Sam]

Clean pennies very carefully.

 

[sniffer]

if it's not a key date, get a lemon, slice a hole in the lemon, insert the penny and wait an hour, check it to see how clean it is, repeat until you're satisfied

 

[Connecticut Sam]

#8 have a great idea.

 

[*UseCommonsense*🫡]

How bout u don't clean it cause if it is of any value it most definitely want be when u clean it u would be lucky to even get it graded messing with Any coin actually but what do I kno I just used to work at pcgs...... if u think it is of value just send it to get graded and it will get cleaned there whereever u send it they will offer cleaning before grading thats just what I would do if I were u ...but with anything else it's all up to u but you will be sadly disappointed when u do clean it and either it gets graded with (cleaned) slapped right on the slab ...and then again they may not grade it all and just send it back to you because u "Thought" ("CLEANING") IT was a good idea

 

[robertk]

but what do I kno I just used to work at pcgs....

FYI, the thread you responded to is twelve years old. I would assume the original poster has long since done whatever they wanted to do.

 

[fistfulladirt]

Keep your coppers away from olive oil. I learned from experience, if you want to darken all detail, go ahead and use olive oil.