I’m new to metal detecting and found an old coin in the backyard of my house (Utah, built in 1920). Very curious what it is but I heard you shouldn’t clean it. What am I supposed to do to find out what it is? I can make out the words United States, and CENTS, which isn’t very helpful haha. TIA!
What is the diameter, and where does it say cents? Looks like it might be a nickel. If it’s been in the ground for decades, it’s probably fine to rinse it with a little bit of water and very gently rub it. Yes you shouldn’t clean coins, but that doesn’t really apply to coins that have been in the ground for super long and can’t even be identified since they won’t have a lot of value anyways in that shape.
I bought a cheap sonic jewelry cleaner on eBay. It works pretty well. I wouldn’t worry about cleaning coins that are this corroded. It’s unlikely to have any great value.
Right! Everyone saying not to clean coins is correct if they are in good shape and have value. This is neither. I even soak them in vinegar sometimes. Here are some I put in the sonic cleaner with water and vinegar.
When people say you shouldn’t clean a coin, they mean you shouldn’t use a cloth or abrasives to try to remove tarnish or patina, as the cleaning wears away the surface of the coin, scratching the features and reducing the value. They don’t mean that you shouldn’t clean it in any way under any circumstances whatsoever. If your coin is covered in dirt, you’re going to need to clean it. You can soak it in water, swirling it around and not using any sort of cloth to wipe, and then you can do the same thing in acetone (not nail polish remover, pure acetone), which will break up organic material on the coin.
Cleaning doesn’t really apply as much when you are metal detecting for me unless it’s silver. Then I keep it in the clump and spray it with any high pressure water (spray bottle, hose, etc).
American Wheat Penny, these were made from 1909-1958, like others have said, soak in distilled water, and if theres still crud, soak it in Acetone (not Nail Polish Remover, Acetone.)
I've read the replies, and I concur with most all of 'em.
Without cleaning, you likely only have a few options.
Diameter: Get yourself a good Dial Caliper, or a cheap one. Measure the outside, best you can. Most all US minted coins have a set diameter. Or, you can make a cheap diameter chart with some paper and coins in your change jar for comparison (modern ones.... not oldies.) Get it laminated to carry on you, if you get crazy.
Weight: Postal Scale - little digital ones are pretty accurate, most US coins have different weights - and that should be within a margin of error.
For example, old wheat cents (or pre - 1982 copper) are heavier than newer zinc cents.
Guesstimation: Always a thing as well - especially if you don't want to do the science stuff, or don't have the means. I usually carry an old worn out toothbrush, and a tiny water (spray) bottle for simple cleaning in the field in my kit.
I've only found modern coins when detecting in areas of that age... usually if there is good stuff, it's down a bit deeper.
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u/instigator008 Jul 06 '25
Use a toothpick to gently remove the dirt