How To Clean Lincoln Cents - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,082
mklpatrick Pillar of the Community United States 580 Posts	Posted 07/14/2008 5:46 pm I know that in general cleaning coins is a big no-no, but I have this small box of wheat pennies and about 10 of them have some sort of gunk on them...I don't know if this is something that formed over time or if it was there to begin with, but it just looks like clear goo. Should I try to dunk them in 100% acetone? Would this even do any good? Mike Report this Post to the Staff

biggfredd Rest in Peace United States 9104 Posts	Posted 07/14/2008 6:53 pm Acetone might help, and won't affect color. Boiling acetone works best. Boil some water and remove it from the heat. Put the coins in a cup and cover them with acetone and set it in the water. Cover the cup to minimize evaporation. Always do this in a well-ventilated area away from sources of ignition. Report this Post to the Staff
mklpatrick Pillar of the Community United States 580 Posts	Posted 07/14/2008 7:23 pm Cool, I have not heard of the boiling method. How long do you leave them in there? Report this Post to the Staff
BadThad Bedrock of the Community United States 19935 Posts	Posted 07/14/2008 8:04 pm I don't recommend boiling acetone, it's HIGHLY flammable! The slightest mistake on your part will result in a horrific accident. To remove organic matter from Lincolns, I believe the best thing is xylene. Simply soak the coins in xylene, I recommend just doing one at a time. If the "residue" is blue/green, it is verdigris and organic solvents won't typically work at all on verdigris. If you want to learn more about Lincoln verdigris, I suggest you read my thread in this main coin forum. Lincoln Cent Lover! VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/ Edited by BadThad 07/14/2008 8:05 pm Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 07/15/2008 11:24 am I too completely disagree with ever boiling Acetone or any volatile substance. NEVER boil anything that may combust. Remember that anyone that recommends a dangerous method will not replace your eye sight, replace your house or even take you to the hospital. As for the stuff on those coins. First just try soaking in distilled water for a few days. Nothing to loose and distilled water is cheap. Next if that doesn't work, try soaking in Acetone for a day or so. Now with the Acetone, first check it for impurities and only use glass utinsills. Pour some on a CLEAN glass dish and allow to evaporate. If no residue, it is OK to use on coins. Acetone is a great substance for dissolving almost anything and in one of those cans at a paint store may have sat there for years. Slowly dissolving the coating on the inside of the can. Always rinse the coins with the distilled water after the Acetone. If all gunk still remains and you REALLY have the urge to clean them, try many of the safe, around the house items. Lemon Juice, Tamato Juice, Lime Juice, Baking soda and water, etc. Most are safe and already there. To spend money cleaning a penny makes little CENTS. Report this Post to the Staff
mklpatrick Pillar of the Community United States 580 Posts	Posted 07/15/2008 12:51 pm Thanks Carl. Maybe I should also subscribe to a magazine called "Raising Large Attack Dogs" and have that hanging out of my mailbox as well! :-) Report this Post to the Staff
BadThad Bedrock of the Community United States 19935 Posts	Posted 07/15/2008 1:00 pm Quote: Lemon Juice, Tamato Juice, Lime Juice, Baking soda and water, etc. Most are safe and already there. I have to disagree. I've found NONE of those to be "safe" on copper. Everything you listed will more than likely discolor the coin permanently. Xylene is cheap, just go to a hardware store and buy a can. It should last you years and years. Also, purity is much better than acetone (which often contains ethyl acetate), so you don't have to worry about residue. Lincoln Cent Lover! VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/ Report this Post to the Staff
mklpatrick Pillar of the Community United States 580 Posts	Posted 07/15/2008 4:47 pm I'm gonna try the Xylene approach, thanks Thad. Report this Post to the Staff
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