Bargain Bin Diggers Unite!

Would it be worth sending to NCS for conservation? I don't know how much they charge. If it's too high, ANACS will at least give it a details grade after the gentle dish soap wash (and distilled water rinse).

Meh, I wouldn't send it to a service, because the value is probably only 1/10 of what it normally would be. Still a GREAT find for the bargain bin and a good high end filler.

In my metal detecting days I found three Liberty Head nickels. They all had the same kind of corrision on them. This one looks like it came out of the ground also. In my opinion there is not much that can be done, but just to enjoy it.

I would soak it in some olive oil for a couple of months and then send it in to one of the grading services to have it conserved. Even in G-4 the thing is worth $500. Just my opinion.

Gave it a gentle swish and some "shtuff" seems to have fallen off and collected on the bottom of the glass.

As noted above...it was probably the "5"!

I intentionally put it in the darker corner so I wouldn't get too obsessed with it. Not sure how well it worked since 2 days in and I am already peering into it like the witches of Graeae.

Granted in present condition I could probably have put it in a paint-shaker and it wouldn't do any further harm. But time will tell. Just thought folks might like an update.

Even if nothing happens you should submit it to one of the major grading services.

DO NOT SOAK IN OLIVE OIL.
DO NOT USE A TOOTHBRUSH OR ANY BRUSH ON THAT COIN.
Unfortuately there are many that pop up with silly, non working methods of fixing a coin. Those are not of much use. Many Olive Oils are different since they are a manufactured item and some contain acids. Those will for sure not help your coin. And to suggest any type of brush on a coin is also not to smart. Ever look at the package a toothbrush comes in? Some are hard, some medium, some soft. Some have swirly things and some actually have small colored brisles. Way to many different ones so how could someone suggest something they know nothing about. Be real carefull listening to people that have nothing to loose but you do.
For one thing if your determined to attempt to clean that coin, start with the warm distilled water first. Soak only, no brushing. If nothing, you may want to attempt the Acetone soaking but if you do, do a search on this web site for Acetone. It is flamable and dangerous. If non of these work and you stil are determined to do something with that coin, you may want to try some of the Jewlery Cleaners from a Walmart Store. The one for Silver only is the more powerful one and will remove lots of stuff from a Copper coin, BUT, remember it also will take off some of the original metal of the coin.
Someone gave me a large cent like that and I've been working on it for some time now. Not really a lot of improvement but nothing to loose.

Even with the corrosion, I'd never expect to find an 1885 nickel in a bargain bin.