How Do You Preserve Zinc Elongated Coins? (Zinc Rot Prevention)

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 243
ANAcoincollector Valued Member United States 95 Posts	Posted 04/17/2026 11:12 am I'm on a road trip right now, and I'm collecting elongated pennies. Since I ran out of copper pennies, I started rolling some zinc pennies. I have heard that the exposed zinc can start to corrode (zinc rot), and destroy the penny. I was wondering how you can prevent this zinc rot from happening. Thanks! Edited by ANAcoincollector 04/17/2026 11:32 am Report this Post to the Staff

HondoB Bedrock of the Community United States 24888 Posts	Posted 04/17/2026 1:30 pm They will not rot as long as they are kept in a humidity and oxygen-free environment. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187555 Posts	Posted 04/17/2026 2:12 pm I agree. My son has a decent collection going and I have not seen any issues with them over the past ten or more years. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
jecz79 Pillar of the Community Portugal 655 Posts	Posted 04/17/2026 6:49 pm Never mix them with coins of other metals. Polyethylene sealed bags and some silica gel may be useful to store them. Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10472 Posts	Posted 04/17/2026 8:33 pm Quote: Air (oxygen) starts zinc rot - don't go where there is air! But really - if you keep them in a controlled atmosphere they will be fine! A plastic/glass container - should be fine. Find a large enough 2x2 that works fine too....... Edited by Marv65 04/17/2026 8:38 pm Report this Post to the Staff
ANAcoincollector Valued Member United States 95 Posts	Posted 04/17/2026 10:01 pm I also have a zinc tax token that has what I think is zinc rot. Is this zinc rot? If so, is there something I can do to stop or slow the spread of the corrosion? Should I attempt to remove the corrosion? Thanks. Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10472 Posts	Posted 04/17/2026 10:29 pm Quote: If so, is there something I can do to stop or slow the spread of the corrosion? Should I attempt to remove the corrosion? Thanks. If it isn't real valuable and you just want to preserve it - soak it in olive oil for 24 hours. Then lay it on paper towels to draw the excess oils off of it ........... Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94666 Posts	Posted 04/18/2026 10:59 pm good idea Marv Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
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