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How to Clean a Silver Penny

Silver pennies are not actually made of silver. In 1943, copper was desperately needed to make shell casings for the war effort, so pennies were made from steel and coated with zinc instead. Coins are worth more if they remain uncleaned. If you want to clean the penny for your personal collection, there are several methods you can use. If you think the coin may be worth something, consult a professional before making the choice to clean it.

Things You'll Need

Hot sauce or ketchup
Baking soda
Water
Soft cloth
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 or 2 tsp. salt
Lemon juice

Instructions

- 1
  Make a paste by mixing a small amount of baking soda with water. Rub this into the coin. For stubborn dirt, use a toothbrush to scrub the baking soda over the surface of the coin. Rinse the coin under cold water and dry with a soft cloth.
- 2
  Cover your penny in hot sauce or ketchup. Smear the sauce onto the penny and leave it for a few minutes. Use a toothbrush to scrub the dirt and grime from the coin. Rise and buff the penny to restore it to its original state. If the coin is dull, use the baking soda solution described in Step 1 to restore its shine.
- 3
  Pour 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 1 or 2 tsp. of salt into a container. Place your dirty coins into the solution and leave them for five minutes. Pour out the salt solution and rinse the coins under warm water. Not rinsing your coins will result in them being covered with a green-blue coating. Dry the coins when they are clean.
- 4
  Cover coins with lemon juice and salt and allow them to sit for five minutes. No scrubbing or rubbing is required with this method. Rinse under warm water and dry. If the coins appear dull, use the baking soda paste described in Step 1 to restore their shine.

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