How to clean corroded coins?

[pmbug]

Today I found a smattering of dimes, nickels and cents (both copper and zinc) that are pretty corroded. There were a few coins that were so bad that I didn't bother picking them up!

corroded coins2.jpg (792.43 KiB) Viewed 371 times

Anyway, I would like to clean these coins so I can at least see the date they were minted. Anyone have any suggestions? Bathe them in lemon juice? Coke/soda? Baking soda and water?

[coindood]

My experience has been that zincolns that bad are beyond cleaning to establish a date. The zinc core is so far gone that even if you manage to de-encrust them, the date still won't be visible. Nickels or dimes might fare better since they're copper nickel.

[pmbug]

You may be right, but I'd like to try anyway. What method would you suggest?

[coindood]

I'd be curious if any of the methods you recommended would have any effect. Probably the best place to start I would imagine.
But being that the coin surfaces have deteriorated to the point where the surfaces have begun to flake away, cleaning may have no effect on the date's visibility.

[pmbug]

Internets are telling me to make a paste of vinegar and baking soda for topical application for 30 minutes. I'm going to try it guess.

[pmbug]

Vinegar + baking soda cleaned up the dimes and nickels pretty good. Some of the cents became legible, but many didn't clean up much. It turned out to be $1 even in change and none of the nickles or dimes had any silver.

[coindood]

Nice. That's better results than I expected.

[Cu Penny Hoarder]

Leave them in vinegar overnight, then rinse them off with water the next day. No brushing or hard scrubbing will be necessary.

I clean old/vintage guitar parts like this all the time. Works like a charm.

[shinnosuke]

I've wondered for many years about when the Feds are going to shut this site down for money laundering.

[TXSTARFIRE]

[MaxGravy]

I've wondered for many years about when the Feds are going to shut this site down for money laundering.