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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,654 |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Hi! I'm only a part time collector and probably don't have anything worth anything...but a violent storm in my area recently tore up an 18 foot section of sidewalk in front of my house, and in the hole I found an 1863 Indian Head penny. It's got some corrosion on it and I was wondering if it was worth saving. If so, do you know any good home made cleaning solutions to clean the coin. I tried a vinegar/salt solution on some pocket change and it turned all the larger denominations (nickle, dime, quarter) pink...don't wanna chance it with my Indian! http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/...nheadig0.jpghttp://img186.imageshack.us/img186/...versevr9.jpg |
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Valued Member
United States
201 Posts |
I wouldn't bother cleaning it. I can't see the picture from here at work but depending on the condition, it may be worth using it as a placeholder for a better condition one you get further down the road if your plan is to collect them.
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Rest in Peace
United States
1943 Posts |
Christopher, welcome to the forum! Any Indian Head cent is worth keeping. Especially one that you found. It might pay to look around that area with a metal detector. Congrats on the sharp eye. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
I doubt that cleaning would improve this coin--I actually like the extremely weathered look. It's a nice keepsake and makes for an interesting story!  |
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Moderator
 United States
187862 Posts |
 Quote:
I'm only a part time collector and probably don't have anything worth anything If you like what you have, then it is worth a lot! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
1863 is also a "Civil War Era" Indian Head coin.....Keep that in mind ! And so, also, it's neat and it's historical and it's coveted by many and it's certainly collectible.....what more do you need ? Keep this coin and treasure it and look for some more !  Post a picture of it up here and we could grade it and affix a value on it for ya.... Edited by eaglefoot
06/20/2008 7:00 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
WELCOME TO THE FORUM.
For one thing you've got to learn how to lower the amount of pixels when submitting a photo so it will not take up the entire screen.
Your coin has extensive amount of greenish discoloration that may well be extensive exposure to sulfates or Oxydation. Regardless in that condition it is still worth several dollars.
Since you do not know to much about the cleaning of coins, which you should never do, here is something you may want to try.
Soak that coin in distilled water for several days. Not tap water, no cleaning agents, just distilled water. If none comes off and you feel like experimenting a little, go to a store and purchase some Acetone. Found in the paint department. Try soaking that coin in some of that for a few days. Note that Acetone is combustable and flamable so do it outside. Place a little in a GLASS jar, close the cover and allow to soak. Later discard the Acetone by letting it evaporate and again rinse with distilled water. If all stays the same, don't try anything else or you may distroy what is left of that coin. Let us know.
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Moderator
United States
187862 Posts |
Quote:
Post a picture of it up here and we could grade it and affix a value on it for ya....   I know you are sleep deprived, so I thought I would help you out! |
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New Member
 United States
5 Posts |
Thank you for the info everyone!
To Just Carl:
I know, the images are a bit on the large sign...I had my camera set for 7MP and this is actually trimmed down from about 3000 pixels across. I wanted to make sure that every detail of the coin was shot, so I also took the picture through a magnifier. Sorry about the lighting, I was using an LED head lamp placed next to the magnifier because my camera was blocking the ceiling lamp.
As for the the value of the coin, by several...do you mean around $3?
Also, you seem to know a lot about cleaning coins...any idea why the pocket change turned pink in the salt/vinegar mix?
To Eaglefoot:
Gotcha...keeping the coin! And sadly, I can't go back and look for some more...CL&P came over to fill in and repave the surface, since the storm runoff had eroded about 5 feet of soil around the base of a telephone pole, so the area is now recovered. Anything left in the pit will remain there for quite some time.
To KurtS:
I like the weathered look too...it's too bad that half the face is obliterated though...the feathers were what clued me in on what the coin was.
To Pyrebob:
As mentioned to eaglefoot. the trench has since been filled and repaved to stabilize a pole. so no further excavation can be done.
Dang...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
As everyone else said it's most definitely worth keeping! The value of old coins goes beyond monetary, and to find that in the manner you did is really cool. Especially an Indian Head from the civil war era.
Since it has no real dollar value I wouldn't try to restore it (it's beyond hope anyway IMO). All that corrosion adds character and tells a story.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
That is one cool looking corroded mess!(I mean that as a compliment). I would totally keep it! Great Find!
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Member
United States
3242 Posts |
Try olive oil it may take longer about 2 months then acetone & distilled water  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Jbuck...... Quote:
I know you are sleep deprived, so I thought I would help you out! I just now got to this !... Are you saying that 2:00 a.m to 5:30 a.m. is NOT enough sleep for people ?......followed by 10-12 hour work days......to top it off only paid for 40 hrs. each week ? Too broke to pay attention too !!......good grief ! 
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,654 |
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Posted 06/20/2008 5:49 pm
