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 Replies: 31 / Views: 7,554 |
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Valued Member
United States
344 Posts |
Bought two rolls of "dateless" Buffalo nickels for $6 each. Over half were partial with some full dates. Really good deal.  . I was thinking about acid dating one of the dateless just to try it. Can someone tell me exactly what the simplest way and best to do it that won't require a trip to the store. I know vinegar is involved but would apple cider vinegar work if it's 5% acidity. *** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. *** |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1326 Posts |
I have used 5% white vinegar and see no reason not to use apple cider. Put the coin in a container, obverse side up. Check it over a period of several days. It may take a bit longer. You will see the vinegar turn a bluish color, though that may look different with the darker vinegar. The acid wears off a layer of metal and usually works pretty well. I have found that the reverse of the coin stays pretty much unaffected. I would be reluctant to try this on the coins with partial dates, since it does degrade the coin.
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Valued Member
 United States
344 Posts |
Thank you. Don't worry, I would never acid date a partial date.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1326 Posts |
I should add that there are videos on YouTube. One guy shows how to concentrate the acid in the vinegar, which I thought was interesting.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3516 Posts |
Yes you freeze the vinegar until some turns to slush, then you separate the slush from the liquid and discard the liquid because it it water. Then you place in the coin as otto said, obverse side up. My buffalo only took a day before the date was revealed and that's because after you put the coin in the solution you should add some hydrogen peroxide. It speeds the process up. When the date is revealed. Rinse the coin in some warm water. Also, before you do anything, make sure the coin doesn't have a raised mound. If it does, it can only be one date, 1913. If it does check for a mintmark. If there is a partial one but you cannot make it out, get some opinions and go from there. My coin turned out to be a 1920-D which is a decent date. Good luck with all of yours, be sure to tell us the results.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3210 Posts |
You can always try nic a date buy a small bottle online.....it only takes like 20 seconds
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Valued Member
United States
344 Posts |
It worked pretty well. Mixed apple cider vinegar and quite a bit of hydrogen peroxide. I chose not to freeze the vinegar because I didn't want to leave the nickel in it that long overnight. Turned out to be a 1919 D.   Edited by Alex12780
06/19/2016 10:25 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3516 Posts |
Ummmm, maybe it's just the pic, but it looks like a 1913-d type 2.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3516 Posts |
after I looked at it again, you are right, 1919-D, my bad, nice find
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Haven't read the responses but it only 5akes about an hour or two soaking in vinegar with a splash of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide is KEY. It acts as a catalyst. With vinegar only it can take days. After an hour check them. Then every 15 mins after until the date appears. It's like magic
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
The main problem with doing this is what you end up with is a coin most collectors wouldn't want.
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Valued Member
United States
344 Posts |
I wish it was a 1913 D type 2 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
The main problem with doing this is what you end up with is a coin most collectors wouldn't want. How many collectors are interest in dateless buffalos? I'd bet there are more that would pay more for an acid dated buffalo than a dateless one. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
The date is very fragile and will rub right off if you're not careful. You can soak it again though if it does.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Ray, once the date is brought out, if it rubs off or is left in the solution too long it can't be re-recovered. At least I've never had luck with a double dip. Have you? Usually once it's recovered then lost again it's gonzo
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Valued Member
United States
354 Posts |
There is a product called Nic-A-Date. I don't know how much it affects the coin, but still, it works.
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Replies: 31 / Views: 7,554 |
Posted 06/18/2016 11:27 pm
