Learn › Care & selling

Should you clean old pennies? Why not, and how to store them

3 min read · Updated Oct 4, 2026

Why cleaning can hurt

Making an old penny shiny again is tempting. However, rubbing and polishing can leave fine scratches, and chemicals can alter the natural surface. Many collectors prefer preserved original surfaces with natural patina to scrubbed-bright coins. Polishing does not restore the original surface.

Improper cleaning can prevent a normal numeric grade. A service may instead assign a Details grade identifying the problem. The selling price is often lower than for comparable undamaged examples, although the actual effect depends on the individual coin.

Handle coins carefully

• Hold the coin by its edge between thumb and finger.
• Work over soft cloth or a pad to reduce damage from an accidental drop.
• Use clean, dry hands or suitable soft cotton gloves. With gloves, take extra care to maintain a secure grip.
• Avoid fingerprints on the faces: skin oils and perspiration can leave lasting marks.
• Do not speak or sneeze directly over exposed coins. Small droplets can leave spots.
• Do not slide coins against one another or across cloth.

Suitable holders

• 2×2 holders made of acid-free cardboard with a suitable clear window, such as Mylar.
• PVC-free flips. Check material specifications; old, very soft holders warrant caution.
• Rigid capsules for individual coins.
• Coin albums and folders whose materials are expressly suitable for coins.

PVC-containing materials can deteriorate and leave harmful residues on coins. Check older soft flips and carefully replace unsuitable holders. If residue already adheres to a coin, seek advice before trying to clean it.

Ordinary envelopes, old cardboard and rubber bands are unsuitable for long-term storage. Some materials contain substances that can stain or attack surfaces.

Where to keep them

• Somewhere cool and dry with reasonably stable temperatures. Attics and garages are often unsuitable.
• Out of direct sunlight.
• Suitable holders can go inside a well-closing box. A separate silica-gel packet helps control moisture; follow its usage instructions.
• Inspect your collection regularly, for example every six months, for new spots, residue or changes.

Copper is sensitive to its surroundings. Suitable materials and avoiding unnecessary contact help preserve the existing surface.

Questions

Should I clean old pennies?

Not if a penny might be collectible. Rubbing, polishing and chemicals can scratch a coin and alter its original surface, and polishing does not restore it. If you are unsure, leave it unchanged.

Does cleaning a penny lower its value?

Often, yes. A grading service may give an improperly cleaned coin a Details grade instead of a normal numeric grade, and such coins often sell for less than comparable undamaged ones.

How should I store old pennies?

In PVC-free holders such as acid-free 2×2s with a Mylar window, PVC-free flips or rigid capsules, somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. Avoid envelopes, old cardboard and rubber bands.

Penny Value is an Android app for now, so it isn't on the App Store. The values and checks on this page are free to use.Penny Value is an Android app. Open this page on your Android phone to check your own penny with a photo.

Related guides

• Red, Red-Brown or Brown: why a penny's color matters
• Where to get a penny graded or sold — and when it's worth it

Sources

1. U.S. Mint, “Caring for Your Coin Collection” (accessed 2026-10-04)
2. PCGS, “Proper Coin Storage” (accessed 2026-10-04)
3. PCGS, “Coin Preservation” (accessed 2026-09-26)
4. American Numismatic Association, “Storing Your Coin Collection” (accessed 2026-09-26)
5. PCGS, “PCGS Grading Standards” (accessed 2026-09-26)