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 Replies: 15 / Views: 5,405 |
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Valued Member
United States
111 Posts |
I recently purchased this because I loved how it looked. But, I know nothing about it. Can anyone give me some history on it?
Thanks,
Teena
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I think some photos of it would help us to give you a better answer about that particular coin. As a partial answer. The years 1859 - 1863 are made out of Copper and Nickel. 1864 has both Bronze and Copper/Nickel versions. I've seen a lot of copper nickel cents that have different colors and I'm sure that might have been due to how the mints or third party produced the planchets. Some cents have more of a copper look, some look brassish, or yellowish. I have also seen a few that look "silverish". If you want to know more about Indian Head cents. Look on the left menu of this site, look at US Coin Facts and US Coin History. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
The best way to tell if a coin is cleaned is by looking at the texture and color of the coin. A lot of people have used chemicals that strip a very thin layer of metal off of the top of the coin. Some use baking soda or toothpaste or anything else that is abrasive and leaves pits, scratches, and hairline scratches, etc. Some people also use some high powered dental tools and some of those have a "whizzed" look.
A lot of times when the dirt is lifted from the surface of the coin, it leaves pits on the surface. Even when you don't rub the coin while cleaning.
The reason why I know how a lot of coins are cleaned is because I cleaned a lot of low value coins and even nasty circulated coins from various methods.
You can read all about methods online somewhere. Everytime I cleaned a coin I noticed the effect carefully.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
The best way to tell if a coin is cleaned is by looking at the texture and color of the coin. A lot of people have used chemicals that strip a very thin layer of metal off of the top of the coin. Some use baking soda or toothpaste or anything else that is abrasive and leaves pits, scratches, and hairline scratches, etc. Some people also use some high powered dental tools and some of those have a "whizzed" look.
A lot of times when the dirt is lifted from the surface of the coin, it leaves pits on the surface. Even when you don't rub the coin while cleaning.
The reason why I know how a lot of coins are cleaned is because I cleaned a lot of low value coins and even nasty circulated coins from various methods.
You can read all about methods online somewhere. Everytime I cleaned a coin I noticed the effect carefully.
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Valued Member
 United States
111 Posts |
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I have also seen a few that look "silverish".
This one is silverish. Looks like a dime. Will try to get a pic up in a few days. Haven't mastered silver yet. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
For some strange reason, my post I just made is not showing up on my end even though it says I posted.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Might even have been an attempt to plate that coin to make it look new.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Yes, he's right. It also could have been plated.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Good luck in trying to take a photo. Not sure if you know or not but I will say a couple of options just in case.
You can use your scanner to scan a coin. Use a webcam or a digital camera. The problems you might encounter are light levels and focusing. If you have macro photography equipment, that might give you the best results, perhaps.
I used a low cost solution. Using a small box that I cut out as a stand and mounted a webcam on top. I can turn the lens for better focusing. I still have light level problems.
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Valued Member
United States
111 Posts |
Ok, managed to get a couple of fair pictures. They look like some copper is coming through, but they really look silver. It's very pretty.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
There are two varieties for this particular year. The pointed and rounded bust. The one you have is a the pointed bust variety. Back in the old days, the people used to call them white cents or nickels. This one here was probably why.
But I hate to say it but it looks like it might have been cleaned because it has a slightly washed out color and there are a great deal of small pits and dings on the surface. I do like those that are silver colored liked that.
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Valued Member
United States
111 Posts |
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it might have been cleaned New to a lotof coin collecting issues and cleaning is one. It's still very pretty, and will be a nice addition to my Indian Heads. Is this a good way to tell is something has been cleaned then? Thanks, Teena |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
The coin is corroded, and has either been chemically stripped to try and restore some of the alloy's original whitish color, or it has been plated.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
This coin is of copper nickel composition, not the deep brown of the tin zinc bronze penny. I have an IHC of this date, and a Flying Eagle cent, both of coopper nickel, and both of these coins, although are obviously of a copper alloy, they are paler and obviusly not of a tin bronze color. Nevertheless, it seems to me that this coin has been subject to some sort of treatment, or storage condition that has resulted in a lighter color. Both the rough fields and detail suggest some sort of mild corrosive attack, where copper has been preferentially attacked. Pity. The coin would be otherwise in EF condition. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
968 Posts |
tlsweet, The pitted look is a sign of either being clean or having otherwise being corroded. However, the silver color alone isn't a sign of cleaning. Indian Head cents from 1859 to 1864 (plus all Flying Eagle cents) were made of Copper-Nickel and generally are much lighter in color than "normal" cents. |
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Valued Member
United States
111 Posts |
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The coin would be otherwise in EF condition I would be happy if it was this grade and I didn't get ripped off. Adding this to my list for the next coin show. I truly appreciate all of the feedback here.  Teena |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 5,405 |
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Posted 11/19/2011 3:33 pm
