1931 S Lincoln Cent Dug It ...Now I Need to CLEAN it ?!?!?

[ace250semo]

Went out today, and found this 1931 S Lincoln, it has great defintion, but a lot of ground crud. I know this is a key date coin, so I don't want to scratch it up with steel wool or something like that. Somebody help this poor OL Bootheel Missouri boy out, oh, I found a silver ring, too but my buddie beat me in the silver with three in one hole, quarter, and two rosies.

 

[ks digr]

try a container with a little peroxide in it.Put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds,then put your coin in the container.Let it sit in the peroxide until it stops fizzing take it out and wash it off with a soft toothbrush and some dishwashing soap.....that should do it.......kd

 

[Oak]

Don't clean for now. Seek professional help. Maybe you have a local coin dealer who can help you. If it is cleaned wrong, the value could fall to 1/2 or less. This is a key Lincoln penny.

Oak -- sweet home Alabama

 

[ace250semo]

Hey All....I want to thank you folks for your informative replies, I think I will follow the "take it to a proffesional" as I sure don't want to be the guy who messed up a key date coin. Again thanks, Jack aka ace250semo

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

IMHO, any dug coin is not going to have much value unless it is a rare coin. The 1931S in any dug coin would be worth $20 or $30. Cleaning it in a hot peroxide solution and then very carefully wiping any remaining dirt with a wet Q-Tip will not change the value at all. I am posting a cleaning and preservation post so you can see some of the results of the peroxide bath.

Just my opinion...
Neil