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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,298 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
After a three month period where I didn't get out detecting, this past week I got out for two short hunts at a small park in the next town to where I live in SE Wisconsin. It is located on Lake Michigan. The wooded hillside spot I hunted was once the location of a pond which produced ice in the late 1880s. In the 1920s the city converted it into a wading pond area. This was later abandoned when the local swimming pool was constructed. I have detected this spot before but didn't really find anything of interest. On my first outing this week I was surprised to find a nice 1939 Mercury dime right in the middle a path in the woods next to where the old pond stands. I went out again yesterday for two hours. My first good signal, right in the middle of the path, was a solid Nickel one, but only one or two inches down. The coin was actually just under the surface. Again I was surprised to find out I was holding a Buffalo nickel that looked to have decent details. After cleaning it with a soak in hydrogen peroxide and a soft nylon brush, I find myself in possession of a really nice looking 1935 Buffalo nickel. It is in much better condition than other Buffalo nickels I have found. I only found five coins in my two hunts, but two of them are keepers. The pull tabs and beer can tops were plentiful. Here are some photos of the coins, what the spot looked like in the past and what it looks like now.        Paul Bulgerin
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Job well done on that Buffalo!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1484 Posts |
Great before-and-after photos. Nice finds!
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10478 Posts |
Quite a difference - nice looking Buffalo.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1502 Posts |
Amazing results - job well done. Love to see a pic of the Obverse before conservation.
I swing a metal detector and have a knack for finding dirty old coins. Dirt coin restoration projects - https://www.prodetecting.com/restorationsDirt coin restoration blog - https://www.prodetecting.com/blog/ccawDirt coin dig videos - https://www.youtube.com/@prodetecting |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1460 Posts |
Cool finds and then and now pictures! And a great conservation on that Buffalo!  |
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Buff cleaned up well. Do you think it would straight grade at a TPG? Are you using 3% peroxide? How long are you soaking it, and does it work with copper and copper plated coins? John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5661 Posts |
Very impressive restoration and conservation!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
The obverse of the coin was completely dirt covered when dug. Here's what it looked like when I got back to my car and poured some water over it to see if it had a date remaining. For cleaning I used 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. It's very useful for cleaning detecting and ancient coins.  Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I would assume it would receive a "Details" grade if submitted.
As is, I'm calling it one of those "black beauties".
Paul Bulgerin
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Your dedication to preserving a coin of such little value is impressive, I must say.
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Valued Member
United States
456 Posts |
Looks very nice! Hard to believe that Nickel was buried for generations and came out that well.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Just to be clear for all the newbies,it is not a black beauty. A black beauty is an annealing error. John1 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1502 Posts |
Quote:
I would assume it would receive a "Details" grade if submitted. I would think any time a TPG sees the brown/red/orange staining on a CuNi they will call it ED - so yes. In fact, any healthy (or unhealthy) green patina on a copper will get tagged as such too, |
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Outstanding! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
Yes, I should have said it's not a real "Black Beauty", just my personal version of one.
Paul Bulgerin
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,298 |
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Posted 09/07/2024 9:02 pm
