Another Nic-A-Date Find. 1914-D Found!

I've got 3 soaking right now. I don't know if you have a 99 cent only store in your area (similar to Dollar General), large bottle of white vinegar for 99 cents!

I was cleaning up after our recent coin show and found a dateless Buffalo under a dealer table. The dealer was long gone so I kept the nickel. It had a D mintmark and I wondered if it might possibly be the 1918/7-D overdate. After reading this thread I put it into some vinegar and forgot about it for 8 days or so. I checked yesterday and found the vinegar was almost evaporated and the coin was speckled with blue crystals (presumably nickel and/or copper acetate). Well, with a bit of fresh vinegar and water the crystals dissolved away and the coin was clean. Oh yeah, the date: it WAS a 1918-D, but unfortunately not the overdate. Still, it looks pretty good, just like the other vinegar-restored examples others have posted. This is a real easy way to bring back those dates. Pretty cool!

Well we finally got the Nic-A-Date in at the shop. Haven't used this stuff in darn near 40 years so I gave it a test at work. 3 coins got three dates in minutes. 1915, 1916 and 1918.

So I took a bottle home with me along with 27 more dateless buffs. So far the best is another 1916 but also got a 1913 type 2 and a 1918-D.

The boss made a deal with me. Since I'm doing the "work" if it's a coin that lists at $10 or under in G4 I can have it. If more we'll sell it and split the profit. Works for me.

So here's my 1916.




I'm going to keep experimenting and this thought crossed my mind today. I may give them a light vinegar soak either before or after Nic-A-Date. Just to even out the color a bit and improve eye appeal.
To me, if I'm going to buy a "filler" I'd want it to look as decent as possible.

Would NOT sell as original coins. Just cheap fillers.

I noticed that the obverse (the side I have up soaking in the bowl) is starting to show that "matte" look from the vinegar. The reverse side is still showing the original look from not being as exposed. I will probably turn them over to give them that "even" look on both obv. and rev.

I have a Buff that's corroded so bad, it will never expose a date. I have had it soaking now for 3 weeks. Nothing. I'll have to photograph and put up.

I had this same thought when I found my 21-S. I did NOT want the vinegar to further erode the date. To answer your question, it does not fade the date whatsoever. It is totally safe to use vinegar. I was nervous at first so experimented with a 1917 first. Did nothing to the date area. If anything, it made it slightly bolder!

Yes it is. Your welcome!

Thanks for the info! That's a great idea.