I found a 1788 colonial copper cent, how much is it worth?

Question

I know the value of it depends on grade, when I founjd it I had no idea what I had - so I coleaned it off with oven cleaner(which I have since learned is a no-no) it is from Massachussetts.

Answer 1

You can try checking out the value in the "Red Book" guide, which you can find in a local bookstore, and perhaps also at the library. Does it look like this one?:

http://www.anrcoins.com/lotdetail.aspx?lrid=AN00032707

Cleaning a coin with a harsh chemical to make it bright and shiny is bad because, in order to produce that shine, you have removed layers of copper from the coin.