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Cleaning A War Nickel For A Six Year Old Girl

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Valued Member
United States
165 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  12:53 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add GABatGH to your friends list
Any idea what the crud is? None. That's the way it came out of the Coinstar machine...
Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  1:05 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add batboy to your friends list
Acetone is the only thing that won't hurt the value of a coin. That said, the only value of that poor War Nickel is from its silver content. I doubt acetone is going to remove that tarnish and crud.
Valued Member
United States
165 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  1:16 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add GABatGH to your friends list
"Acetone is the only thing that won't hurt the value of a coin."

Value is subjective, so let us consider that for a moment.

Which is more valuable?

The ability to interest young children in numismatics?

or

The financial value based on the metal content?

I'd rather decrease the financial value of this nickel and raise the interest value of it...
Pillar of the Community
United States
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 Posted 02/06/2017  1:25 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add batboy to your friends list
Understood, I did say that coin was only worth the value of the silver content. So, no numismatic value.

However, let's consider one other aspect. If the intent is truly to get your daughter interested in coin collecting, then this is a perfect lesson in preserving coins as a true collector would do. Explain why you can't clean it beyond using acetone. I would argue that crud on the coin adds character and gives that coin some history (a very rough and hard life, but history nonetheless).
Edited by batboy
02/06/2017 1:26 pm
Pillar of the Community
United States
3644 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  1:38 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Slamnbass to your friends list
with batboy that coin has quite a story to tell.
Valued Member
United States
165 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  1:47 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add GABatGH to your friends list
I hear what you're saying about preserving. But at six years old, if she and her friends cannot even really discern what the coin is, then it isn't much interest to them. She found a coin from Kuwait (the first one I've ever seen from there) that is in the same predicament.

You can see that here: http://goccf.com/t/279969
Pillar of the Community
Canada
891 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  1:57 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add oldmike to your friends list
You can rinse with plain water for starters. I collect coins for my Grandson ,and he knows the difference between a face value coin and one worth preserving. It will not lower the value of this coin if you clean it, if it makes your daughter happy.
Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  2:15 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Buddy to your friends list
I think that at nearly seven years old, she's able to understand the process of taking the safest step first -- which would be a nice long soak in acetone.

Then let her decide if she wants to try acetone on a cotton swab.

If you take pics along the way, it could be a nice little science project. You can make suggestions but leave the decisions to her. This is a good coin for her to practice taking steps and making decisions.

No matter what the end result is, she has rescued the coin and given it a place in her collection.
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  4:42 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Coinfrog to your friends list
Well good luck, at least you have the silver premium!



to the CCF!
Edited by Coinfrog
02/06/2017 4:42 pm
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United States
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 Posted 02/06/2017  8:24 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Steele to your friends list

Quote:
Acetone is the only thing that won't hurt the value of a coin

is an incorrect statement.

follow the polarity ladder. distilled water then acetone then xylene. in that order
Edited by Steele
02/06/2017 8:25 pm
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United States
1068 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  8:27 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Bryan78 to your friends list
Since the coin has no numismatic value I would try either 100% pure acetone or denatured alcohol and a soft brush to gently scrub the crud off...
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509 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  8:41 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add CLS12 to your friends list
Isn't the Coca Cola is killing people's insides example of some grimey pennies/cents being soaked in Coke and then come out shiny?
Valued Member
United States
165 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  9:09 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add GABatGH to your friends list
For cleaning copper cents we've always used ketchup. The wow factor after an hour is always worth the wait!
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United States
5830 Posts
 Posted 02/06/2017  9:10 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add macmercury to your friends list
Safety first!
Wear safety glasses when you play with Acetone, open window thereby minimizing inhale it by accident.

Wash hands!

I would used Q-tips and work small amount of acetone on top of it, very little value with that War Nickel.
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United States
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 Posted 02/06/2017  9:33 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add coin197 to your friends list
When I had a silver War Nickel like that, I put it in vinegar and salt, used steel wool and baking soda, toothbrush and toothpaste, and used an eraser before it looked even decent. I already knew it had no numismatic value anyway.
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