Cleaning A Penny? Which Chemical Works Best?

Do you need to clean a penny? Wondering which household chemical will work the best. I mean we can't just go to NASA and ask for some super secret cleaning solution can we? Well here are a couple of ideas for you to try.
Begin by putting your penny into various household solutions, such as diluted bleach, vinegar, and different types of fruit juices around your house. You may even go to your local Lowe's or Home Depot and ask if they have any brass or copper cleaners. This is basically what pennies are made of anyway, right.
Other solutions you could use to clean pennies are soda, beer, apple cider. See if sodium carbonate, aka baking soda, has any effect on cleaning your penny.
Or maybe cleaning a penny with some sort of chemical reaction isn't the best way to tackle the problem. Perhaps, a more simplistic way could be used. If the penny is not some rare gem and there is no fear in physically damaging the penny, use a pencil eraser. Yes, a pencil eraser. It will remove about all traces of dirt and debris from the penny without really damaging the money.