Cleaning copper pennys?

[tuckerdoo1]

Hello all, can anyone tell me some safe methods for cleaning wheat pennys? Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

I had been using electrolysis , but found it to be ineffective. Someone in another forum suggested this method and it works GREAT on copper coins. I used it to clean the New Jersey Copper you see here, as well as the IH Penny in my avatar.. Here is the recipe:


1) Pour Hydrogen Peroxide into a microwave safe Tupperware, or something else microwave safe that you will not be using for food again. Put enough in to cover the coin (Don't put the coin in yet!). Be generous to allow for evaporation. I usually put about an inch worth in.

2) Microwave the liquid on high until the solution bubbles. About 1 to 2 minutes depending on your microwave. Remove the solution.

3) Place the coin into the solution. Try not to breath in the solution. You will notice it fizzes like an Alka Seltzer tablet.

4) When the coin stops fizzing, remove it carefully and gently wipe it with a wet Q Tip. Don't waste your money on the generic cotton swabs, they unravel and may stick to the coin. Depending on the coin you may not have to wipe it at all. If there is still residue on the coin, proceed to the next step.

5) If there is still dirt on the coin, replace the peroxide and repeat the above process.

Let me know how you make out!
Neil

 

[robert roy]

I'll have to try that. I wonder if it would work for other coins as well? Have you tried this on other clad?
Robert R

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

[quote robert roy]I'll have to try that. I wonder if it would work for other coins as well? Have you tried this on other clad?
Robert R[/quote]

My clad just goes into a jar until New Years Eve when I dump them into the coin star, as is.

I tried it on silver and it will instantly tarnish them. For silver I still stick to my home made electrolysis machine. Let me know if you need the plans for making one of those from an old cordless phone AC adapter.

 

[robert roy]

Yup. I got the plans for that already, just haven't tried it yet.
Hear you have to be careful not to let the adapter get too hot.

Regards
Robert R

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

[quote robert roy]Yup. I got the plans for that already, just haven't tried it yet.
Hear you have to be careful not to let the adapter get too hot.

Regards
Robert R[/quote]

Rob,

I would not let silver stay in for more than 15 seconds or you will ruin the patina. The adapters are good for about 10 minutes, but yes, they will heat up, so do not leave them unattended.

 

[mrowdy]

Be careful, what ever you do, because if it's a key or semi-key coin (rare), it will greatly take away from the value. A cleaned coin will often go down about two grades. Get a coin value paperback to be safe.

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

[quote mrowdy]Be careful, what ever you do, because if it's a key or semi-key coin (rare), it will greatly take away from the value. A cleaned coin will often go down about two grades. Get a coin value paperback to be safe.[/quote]

I would never attempt to clean a valuable coin. Luckily, I have not found any lol

 

[robert roy]

You and me both!!![size=x-large][/size]
rr