Cleaning Corroded Steel Cents

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  • jallengomez
    Member
    • Jan 2010
    • 4447
    #1

    Cleaning Corroded Steel Cents

    Anyone here have any proven methods of cleaning the corrosion from steel cents? Maybe even stripping off the zinc coating. I've read that zinc is soluble in Muriatic acid and also soluble in heated water with a ph higher than 11. I figured someone around here has experience with this. Keep in mind, that these coins are either so rusted or so corroded with that milky film that you can barely even make out the devices, if at all, so they're certainly not going to be any worse off after cleaning.

    Thanks,

    Jody
    “What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.”
    Tags: None
    • copperlover
      #2
      Cleaning corroded silver is a very tough job better left to an expert or a chemist. These can get so badly corroded it is not worthwhile cleaning by an amateur. This is a link I found this is not for coins of value.

      :http://www.findmall.com/read.php?37,1103729

        Comment

        • RWBILLER
          Member
          • Jul 2008
          • 6870
          #3
          Hi
          I have never tried to clean a steel/zone coated coin. The problem wasn't the zinc it was the steel underneath the zinc. One small nick started the rust. If you have one that the zinc is intact - I guess I would try a "zinc" cleaner. Must be something out there. I just don't think it's worth the effort. Same goes with the rust. Put them in a roll and sell them marked tarnished - let someone else worry about cleaning them!
          Roger - good topic
          Roger
          ""Time and Tide wait for no man"

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            • 1sgret
              #4
              Never tried and I have about 4-5 tubes that are full of them. Not worth the time (I don't think) to mess with them but I however still have them after all these years. Mine have rust powder on them they have been in tubes so long...

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                • abe
                  #5
                  Naval Jelly does wonders with steel cents...

                    Comment

                    • Roller
                      Member
                      • Feb 2010
                      • 6975
                      #6
                      If you just want to get rid of the rust, give it a bath in muriatic acid. They never will be worh anything if they're in that bad shape and I agree they are not worth the effort. In general, I have come to the conclusion that (amateur) cleaning any coin (except to get rid of loose dirt) does not improve the quality and almost always detracts from its appearance.

                        Comment

                        • 1sgret
                          #7
                          Careful in trying to clean/improve the coins as you might destroy a valuable variety or RPM.

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