Posted 07/31/2018 10:46 pm
Nic-a date is Nitric acid, a very strong caustic/corrosive that eats away the "looser" metal that surrounds the stamped digits, leaving a slight remnant to be seen. This is called "date-raising" or a "date-raised" coin. Because it is considered damaged by most "normal" collectors, it is fairly worthless as a "details" coin. It may indeed be a key or semi-key date coin, but doesn't hold the true coin premiums. Some (like me) use these as hole fillers until the original can be acquired.
Another method that I prefer is the 50% vinegar and 50% hydrogen perioxide soak. Nic-a-date just removes the area where the date is, it can be quite obvious and ugly. When this solution is used, the whole coin is affected equally, and to me just looks better. It has a grayish hue, but is even. It even helps at times with the mintmarks. Both methods tho will only work on coins that have some manner of metal left, not worn smooth. It has been used on other nickels as the Liberty and Shield, but seems to work best on Buffalos.
Another method that I prefer is the 50% vinegar and 50% hydrogen perioxide soak. Nic-a-date just removes the area where the date is, it can be quite obvious and ugly. When this solution is used, the whole coin is affected equally, and to me just looks better. It has a grayish hue, but is even. It even helps at times with the mintmarks. Both methods tho will only work on coins that have some manner of metal left, not worn smooth. It has been used on other nickels as the Liberty and Shield, but seems to work best on Buffalos.
