Dirty Lincoln Pennie's
Bamaphil
Posts: 113 ✭✭
I got a couple of rolls of pennies at the bank today. I'm a little bit disappointed. What's the best way to clean theses ❓
2
Comments
Hmm, I have a bunch just like that. Wondering what I should do with them, also! I see what that person's answer was - roll 'em up and bring 'em to the bank!
Gonna have to follow this thread!
Rocking my "shiny-object-syndrome"!!!
Yup, roll them up and bring them back to the bank. And better luck next time!
Looks like they just came out of the oil pit. The best way to clean these beauties is to put them back in a CLEAN/UNUSED/NEW coin wrapper and take it to the bank.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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You can spend them, too- just not all at one time. I get ones like this in change regularly.
The zinc cents essentially don't clean up. They fare very poorly in any hostile environment. Don't waste your time trying to improve them.
You guys don't have any curiosity...I want to see what's under the crud!
There is a difference between curiosity and having way too much time on your hands.
@morgandollar1878 when you're retired you can do stuff like this.
Zinc cents corrode. Retired or working, there's no way to un-corrode them.
You can do them in acetone, that won't make them worse. But, really, what's the point?
Ugly zinc is under all that, why bother?
Possibly someone's metal detector finds.
They are a ticking time bomb with all that exposed or corroded zinc.
Truly a waste of time to try to clean them.
Too far gone-not worth cleaning.
Looks like a bunch of coins I cleaned out of a fountain one time. So corroded I probably threw 50 dollars worth of coins away. The fountain coins had largely melted into a single mass, at least yours are still single. Don’t waste your time though, coinstar that mess and toss the rejects.
Looks like the cents that turn up in a coin star find.
Use em to pay tax when you go to the store.
The exposed zinc corrosion means the coin design is gone. Soak them in hydrogen peroxide to see what's left, if you must. Waste of time. Good luck
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When I'm going through cent rolls and come across cents that look like that I don't even bother looking at them. I believe from what I see the 95% copper cents are corroded pretty bad also.
@Bamaphil ... Those were rolled and turned in by a metal detectorist... Have seen many like that. An automated cartridge case cleaner (vibratory with fine media) will take most of the crud off, but not the zinc rot. Cheers, RickO
They will not clean up no matter how hard you try, either take them back to the bank or spend them, I don't think you are going to find anything "Special" with that Group. Better luck next time.
It was your unlucky day! You ended up with someone else's problem. Quick, take them back to the bank before they dry up and blow away! 😂 🤣
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Those were taken out of a public water feature that the public threw coins into. Unfortunately, they are junk now.
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
Send them to the IRS to pay your taxes.
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
I might have some curiosity (just a tad) if they were Wheaties or Indians.
Zinc memorials, under the best of circumstances, don’t tickle my fancy.
A soak in olive oil might clear some of the major gunk, if you’re really intent on chasing this.
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
Muriatic acid followed by a baking soda and water neutralizer, then rinse... then spend them. Or, skip all that and just spend them.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
Coin Star and try again.
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
At first glance I thought metal detecting finds but they don’t look corroded enough. I would clean them up in a rock tumbler with sand, soap and water. I have a a container of Coinstar reject cents that I have saved over the years. I’ll take a pic and post when I get home later
Lafayette Grading Set
regardless of there condition, what is the best way to clean pennys.
You don't.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
13 pounds of corroded zincolns that have been run through Coinstar multiple times. Nice Door stop
Lafayette Grading Set
Study how the new (after 1982 ?) zinc planchets just melt away leaving sharp edges that will put a hole in most fabrics,
If you carry cash.
PS. Keep them away from children and don't try to explain this destructive reaction even if you could.
I guess you could explain that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and that should hold them until they are
teenagers.
What ?
Depends on how good your relationship is with the bank, but I wouldn't even bother wrapping them. I'd put them in a baggie & ask to see the manager & tell him it's unacceptable for them to give these back out to customers & you want a refund or replacement.......