How to clean a Indian head penny

[Waterdog]

I went out with the Explorer for a few today. I was finding common coin and then I found a 1882 Indian head penny. What would be the best way to clean this so that it is easier to look at?
Thank you

 

[Delaware Digger]

I found an 1879 Indian. I put hydrogen pyroxide in a tall shot glass, placed in microwave for 110 seconds. Then I dropped the penny in. It will take all the green away nicely, and leave a brown color to the penny. I do not recommend doing this if you are concerned about the numismatic value of such a coin. Good luck and HH , Double-D.

 

[dewcon4414]

pyroxide is a good choice it doesnt do much damage. You can also put them in Olive oil its a slow process but works best to keep it natural. sometimes cleaning them to much turns them orange and brittle looking. You can put mineral oil on them to bring them back to a more natural color. Depending on the date IHs have a different metal. 1859 - 1864 were copper-nickel... refered as NICKELS or NICKS... some call them fatties. Then you have bronze 1864 - 1909.

 

[matthias]

I go with olive oil and patience. Soak in olive oil and take it out once a week and scrape off what you can with a toothpick. Then drop it back in the olive oil and wait another week. GL and HH. Matt