Expert: Dan Moore - 2/18/2010

Question
QUESTION: how do i clean these,they are a litte rusty.how much are they worth.i collected them when i was little.they are losing the color,turning differnt cdlors.how do i fix or where do i go to fix them.will they look good again.  yes they are real.  thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Annette,

There is nothing you can really do for them.  Thjey are made from steel, so if they are rusty, it's like removing rust from your car -- can't be done without leaving evidence.  There was just t thin outer layer of zinc on these, so if they are circulated, the zinc has worn off -- the only way to fix them is to replate them.

It's not really worth the time to do this.  There were over a billion of them minted so they are not highly valuable.  You can get a nice uncirculated one for a dollar or two -- circulated ones are worth 5 to 10 cents.

I hope this helps,

Dan


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: actually one is not steel, copper maybe. it does not stick to a magnet.and is there a 1944 copper too. ...i also have this one that does not stick either.i  also have a curly hair. old greek or roman coin that has a bust w/ 3 dolphins ,earring ,necklace. on the back is 4 horse chariot w/ man angel w/ halo in hand,bottom has broom, dress, and armor head gear. no writing on it.had it 40 years-got it from a man who made stamps & collected them. he told me to value it &keep safe.is it worth anything.looks just like the old greek coins

Answer
The 1943 copper you would need to have examined first-hand by an expert.  While there are thousands of fakes out there, if you have a real one, it will be worth thousands.

In 1944, it is normal for the pennies to be copper -- if you have a 1944 steel, that will be valueable.

Dan