1858 Flying Eagle - Worth Cleaning?

That coin is so black it doesn't look like normal wear, never seen anything like it. Perhaps the poor coin was looted from a burned down building after a major fire.

Nah, the value is ruined anyway. Besides, unless the date is 1856, you can be assured with the knowledge that it is not a valuable coin unless it is in much higher grade such as Mint State which the details for this piee would never in a million years justify. I would just enjoy it, and if you do not like the appearance then you can try soaking it in solution (water, vinegar?) and see if that helps.

VerdiCare may help a bit, but that is all.
I don't like them when they are as black as this.
At a distance, they just look like little black disks in your coin album.

Here is a case that can be made out for good quality coin storage, although coins that present such as this one does, do not seem to ever have had the benefit of good coin storage.

I don't think so. Any harsh cleaning will be obvious, and will only serve to reduce whatever value it currently has. Much better left alone.
And that's advice from someone who is forced occasionally clean ancient coins.

It shouldn't. Acetone generally only effect organic matter, not metal. In theory it shouldn't effect your coin at all. However, we don't know what the crud did to the surface of the coin, and the acetone bath may reveal all of that!

I don't see any harm in trying. Just stay away from abrasive cleaning materials and the crud doesn't come easily, I guess leave it.

It won't affect any of the coins surfaces, it will take off any glue or slime, some verdigris (but for that try Verdi-Care). Acetone should not take away any toning either, pretty safe, except for handling and breathing it. Nasty stuff and highly flamable, so take care with it's use, I only do soaks outside.

I think the black was caused by heat, or it's actually corrosion from being buried, that black will be tough to remove entirely, but any cleaning - done properly should improve this FE cent. Heck I'd even hit it with a nylon tooth brush during the acetone soak, I doubt you would hurt it at all. The details are under there from what I can tell, but the gunk and black keep this coin in an AG/G price range as is, cleaned or conserved maybe gets you up to a VG10-F12 grade and price point - a considerable difference in value!

Keep us updated.

Cover the jar overnight. The off-gassing from acetone is worse than me after a trip to Taco Bell!

I have a lid over the jar and I will make sure not to brush the coin. Thanks for the suggestions. I can already notice some change in the color of the coin.