Cleaning Penny

[Murphbuzzy]

I just received from work today (I'm in retail, good place to have hands on change) a penny that seems to be very light in weight and different sound when dropped, so I'm thinking the steel penny. Now, that being said it should be silver in color but looks like copper but it's so much crud on it. Which from reading about the few copper coated steel pennies that did escape into circulation, was wondering if this may be one . Only thing is, it's pretty dirty and looks like corrosion, if that is what it is, looks more like a lot of gunk. What is a safe way to clean it? Should I or could I let it soak in some sort of soap and water, peroxide (probably not that) but something to get a view of date and color without damage. Many thanks sorry so long.

AL

[1sgret]

First hold it to a magnet and if it sticks you have discovered another of the thousands of copper plated steel cents which were made. The steel will stick to any magnet.

If the coin is copper alloy without steel in it , it will not stick to a magnet.

Then if you want to clean it I would recommend using Goo Gone from the hardware store and a thorn from a rose bush.. Let it soak for a day or so then rinse it off lightly and do not rub it. You can use the thorn to clean the hard areas and be sure to clean the thorn often as if it is dirty it can scratch the coin.

[fugnchill]

Hi Murph,

Keep us posted on your results magnet/cleaning/date such and so on. It would be sweet if you did find a real one. My girlfriend works in retail also and she brings home some cool coins for me...she's the greatest.

Lestrrr