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 Replies: 21 / Views: 2,721 |
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New Member
United States
11 Posts |
So, this is by far my oldest coin, its a 1800's something or other. I know I cant save it, but there's gotta be something I can do to make it look better? Maybe a soak in apple cider vinegar?   |
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Valued Member
United States
404 Posts |
Welcome;
You might first want to try acetone before you attack with any acids... Acetone only removes organic stuff, it doesn't react with the actual metal like vinegar (weak acid) will
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
A vinegar solution won't clean corrosion/oxidation from copper, works in 50/50 solution to "raise" dates on Buffalos, is an acid base. Many rubbing a bit of mineral oil may lift some of the green. Try some pure acetone. I've had some luck with greaseless hand cleaner to get really old gluck off, some. You lift that off, it will be pitted, but, it wern't worth much anyway!  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
I've had some success with an olive oil soak. But you need to be patient like 6 months patient.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
 with Bigsilver. Olive oil soak is your best bet, but it will take from a few months to a year for it to work. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
If that doesn't work you can always use the olive oil and the vinegar in a nice Italian salad .  All kidding aside , IMO I wouldn't do anything to it other than a long soak in Verdi-care , but don't expect miracles because that coin is on it's last breath , beat to a pulp, and infested with corrosion . keep it knowing that it's at least 210 years old according to what I'm seeing on your photos .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2843 Posts |
Quote:
it's at least 210 years old according to what I'm seeing on your photos I think that is an Indian Head. And it looks to be copper so 1864 or later. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
Acetone wont do anything for this coin. It is already gone. Best bet is olive oil, not that it will do much...
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
My bad :( At first glance it looked like a Large Cent , but your right ,It's an IHC . Sorry about that .  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
Your best bet is to keep this far away from any other coins you DO like!
Contaminants can spread ... handle one coin than another and BAM!
Given this coin is pretty far gone nothing you do is going to technically "wreck" this coin.... the acidity in olive oil will help... verdicare would help if you already have some on hand...
But what ever you do... I'd be handling this with nitrile gloves and keep it contained and away from any other coins you cherish!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2362 Posts |
Just a suggestion. This may be an opportunity to experiment with the coin as you have nothing to lose. Before you use VerdiCare you should remove the organic material with soaks in acetone, rinse, and then soak in xylene and rinse. Both are organic solvents but they behave differently because acetone is polar and xylene is non-polar. Then soak it in VerdiCare and pick at it with a toothpick. You may see a slight improvement but don't expect much. It's a good way to learn about the various products and not risk ruining a valuable coin.
Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
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New Member
Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
14 Posts |
skip organic solvents, as there is nothing organic on the coin.
coin looks like metal detecting find.
you can experiment with it at your will,
nothing can lower its value,
as it already equals to zero.
even if you destroy the coin with your experiments,
you learn the lesson for the future.
so you win anyway.
if you (or anybody else) wish,
i could even mail handful of metal detecting coins,
19. century finds from central Europe (Austria, Hungary),
for any experiments.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2362 Posts |
Quote:
skip organic solvents, as there is nothing organic on the coin. I must respectfully disagree - how can you see that? Please provide some details. Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith Edited by cipster
01/26/2017 6:25 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1312 Posts |
I'd throw in the the cull box, and buy some more. They're not all that expensive.
Best of luck!
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New Member
Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
14 Posts |
as a metal detectorist,
i have seen hundreds of copper coins in similar condition.
this is exactly how 1800's copper coins look when dug up from the soil.
but of course, I might be wrong.
just my best guess.
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Replies: 21 / Views: 2,721 |
Posted 01/26/2017 12:06 am
