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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,342 |
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Valued Member
United States
341 Posts |
When I was about 9 years old my dad had a large jar of pennys. One day he bought me a whitman book and over a handful of nights we worked on filling the book. Niether one of us knew anything about coins. The jar contain many wheats (this was in the late 70's). I still have this uncompleted book. About a year ago I went through my whitman books and made a list of coins I needed to complete them. Last week I was looking at this list and noticed the 1914-d was not on the list. I thought I must of skipped it but decided to check. To my surprise the hole was filled and it is a 1914-d. It is in rough shape and has a combination of crud and a blueish power on it. BUT, way back in the day when I first put it in I must have scratched around the mint mark to find out what it was (figures, it had to be this one). Does anyone have any advice on what to do with it. I'd like to dip it in acetone or something to try and clean it up a bit. I know, but I would at least like to get the powder type of stuff off it. I'm not sure if its the "V" word or not. I also noticed like the finish layer is flaking off. Its hard for me to tell if this is the case or the crud is flaking off to reveal the finish under. I have include pics:    Edited by General Tso
07/13/2009 2:41 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2520 Posts |
I would wait on the acetone. I read in another post about something else recommended on copper coins. Wait for more help
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Rest in Peace
United States
3039 Posts |
Check to make sure there's no VDB on the shoulder.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1882 Posts |
*If* the green stuff is verdigris then you can use BadThad's Verdigone to remove it. http://verdigone.com/Otherwise, for removal of general crud, Thad has recommended that xylene is better on copper than acetone, but an acetone dip certainly wouldn't hurt it. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19947 Posts |
The verdigris is heavily set in, metal has been removed from areas. VERDI-GONE™ will have only limited success with this coin, but at this point you don't have much choice for conservation. What's important now is that you stop the verdigris from getting worse. At minimum, I would rinse it with acetone and put it in an Airtite. If you're serious about trying to conserve it, this is what I'd do:
1) xylene for 24 hours
2) VERDI-GONE™ for at least 8 hours
3) rinse well with DI water
4) rinse with acetone
5) Airtite
If you don't have the money for VERDI-GONE™, you might want to try a hour or so of mineral spirits in step 2. Just be aware, when you're done there's going to be pitting all over the coin.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
 United States
341 Posts |
I know its hard to answer without the coin in hand but does anyone think the coin is worth trying to save? Is it too far gone?
If so, where can I find xylene?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3077 Posts |
xylene is available at any paint store
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Valued Member
United States
100 Posts |
it is well worth trying to save even in that condition someone would still pay you over 200 dollars
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Valued Member
United States
341 Posts |
Thanks for all the help. I think I will try to save this coin. Sounds like Verdi-Gone would be handy to have. I'll be ordering it soon. Now I'm off to the paint store. Thanks again.
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Moderator
 United States
188213 Posts |
If this were my long lost coin, I would definitely give Verdigone a chance!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
I'd have it authenticated by a knowledgeable source and if genuine, send it to NCS (Numismatic Conservation Services) for conserving/slabbing.
The obverse details look EF in the photo. If the coin is properly conserved/slabbed it will be worth well over $200.
Good Luck!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19947 Posts |
I wouldn't bother with NCS. Even NCS cannot save this coin. I've seen similar coins sent to NCS and they don't even try to remove the verdigris in most cases. This coin is going to be considered environmentally damaged no matter how it's conserved. The surface will absolutely be pitted once the verdigris is cleared out or, more likely, partially removed. The coin is toast. However, it is still valuable and rare. Even with the enviro damage, if could fetch $200 or more depending on how much detail is left and how well it is conserved.
My advice....be VERY careful General. You might want to have someone more experienced conserve the coin for you. It would be VERY easy for you (as a rookie) to completely ruin the coin by "over working" it. There's a delicate balance between conserving and cleaning a coin....most rookies end up cleaning (and ruining) a coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
If it is already corroded, would it even lose much value if it was also cleaned?
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Rest in Peace
United States
3039 Posts |
DON"T Clean it. A 1914 D is valuable in almost any condition. Try the conservation methods detailed above. Then what you get is what it is.
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Valued Member
United States
69 Posts |
If you do decide to conserve it, can we see some pictures of the results
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19947 Posts |
Quote:
DON"T Clean it. A 1914 D is valuable in almost any condition. Try the conservation methods detailed above. Then what you get is what it is. Yes, do not clean it! You're better off leaving it as is before you harshly clean it. Too many coins have been soaked in coke or vinegar or whatever and completely ruined. If you're not comfortable, rinse with acetone and put it in an Airtite and be done. |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,342 |
Posted 07/13/2009 4:00 pm
