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 Replies: 24 / Views: 1,414 |
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New Member
Canada
19 Posts |
Hello, I recently acquired this 1805 large cent. It's in quite a poor shape, but I wonder if anything could be done to make the date more legible or to clean/conserve the coin. Any advice would be appreciated. I have olive oil, acetone, xyelene, and verdi-care at my disposal.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1564 Posts |
I don't think there's anything that can be done with that one. The metal is corroded and pitted, it's just gone.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1798 Posts |
Wow that coin really is wasted. Looks like somebody attempted to clean the crud from the date to be able to read it. In this condition what do you have to lose? Probably wont help much if at all but I would start with a long acetone soak. Maybe a neat pocket piece.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6043 Posts |
Quote:
I recently acquired this 1805 large cent. Tell us more, did you pay for this or was it a metal detector find?
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New Member
 Canada
19 Posts |
It was 20 cents in the junk bin  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1224 Posts |
Nothing left to save. Most assuredly a dirt coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6043 Posts |
OK 20 cents out of pocket
Here's what I've done with heavily corroded copper coins before. Put it in your ice tray (completely covered in water) allow it to freeze, then remove it from tray and smack it with a hammer to break coin free. The water/ice will adhere to the corrosion and with each freezing will remove more and more. Then use it as a pocket piece and over time you will have a nice looking cent. I currently have a nice 1845 Braided Hair Cent that looked similar to yours.....Good luck
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5505 Posts |
I'd give it a long acetone soak - the way the crud is "flaked" it looks like adhesive or even paint - if that don't work then try the ice trick Greasy Fingers mentioned.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1191 Posts |
It's toast, find another one. JMHO
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
13555 Posts |
You will never regain the corroded metal that is lost forever.
IMO consider this 20 cents spent and find a better example.
Take a look at my other hobby ... https://www.jk-dk.artToo many hobbies .... too much work .... not enough time. |
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Moderator
United States
162483 Posts |
I like the pocket piece idea. I would like to see how it looks in a year or two.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2327 Posts |
I agree that it's in bad shape but I would try a long soak in acetone and then a long soak in xylene. As you know acetone is polar and xylene is non-polar, so they clean different kinds of crud that may be on the coin. It's unlikely, but maybe you will see a slight difference in the coin. As stated by others - corrosion is permanent damage. Let us know what you try and the results.
Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Quote:
Put it in your ice tray (completely covered in water) allow it to freeze, then remove it from tray and smack it with a hammer to break coin free. The water/ice will adhere to the corrosion and with each freezing will remove more and more. Then use it as a pocket piece and over time you will have a nice looking cent. New one on this oldtimer! A chlling solution to say the least!  Should this "popsicle cure" fail, this coin could be the start of a "worst-ever" set of large cents. 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4950 Posts |
@ Greasy Fingers, I like how you Think Too,... I am Always learning Here at CCF, Thank You, Great Idea about The Ice " Corrosion Reduction " Education, ...  It's small little posts like This, That Help educate others,........ |
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Moderator
United States
162483 Posts |
Quote:
...this coin could be the start of a "worst-ever" set of large cents.  
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1224 Posts |
I'm willing to jump out on a limb and say that is a fire coin that saw close to 2K degrees. You can tell which side saw the most heat, enough to melt copper. I've seen a good number from my metal detecting days.
Could be wrong but I'm willing to bet that obverse appearance will not change in the slightest.
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Replies: 24 / Views: 1,414 |
Posted 02/17/2025 4:33 pm
