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 Replies: 24 / Views: 19,747 |
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Valued Member
Sweden
79 Posts |
I recently purchased this Buffalo nickel and scanned it. As you can see, there seems to be some sort of green accumulation on both faces. I'm afraid this is corrosion or something to a similar extent. I've read a thousand times that cleaning is a major no-no, but how about when it comes to preserving the surfaces of the coin?  I've never cleaned a coin, so I'm not sure if it would help in this situation. To the naked eye the spots appear black. The scans really brought out the greenish tone, so I didn't have cause for concern until now. I'm afraid it will worsen. There doesn't appear to be any damage on either face... yet. Are these the beginnings of corrosion? Should I clean it? And if so, with what? Is there a good reference site for coin cleaning?  Any advice is greatly appreciated.    P.S. I've kept the coin in a standard cardbord holder since I bought it. I believe it was loose before that. |
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Valued Member
United States
390 Posts |
In most cases you don't want to clean or polish a coin. It will most likely harm the coin and affect its value. There are several threads on coin cleaning and polishing. Do a search and see what they say. And welcome to the forums! The people here are great and will help you a lot.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Czech Republic
803 Posts |
It looks like PVC damage to me. If that's what it is - it will keep spreading, unless you do something about it. I would recommend an acetone soak, periodically taking it out and going over with a Q-tip also soaked in acetone, then changing acetone and letting it soak some more. Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area when doing this. I also recommend using sealable glass containers when soaking the coin, so that acetone doesn't evaporate and does not get other contaminants from plastic containers.
My 2 Kopeiki.
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
I agree that it looks like something that should be removed. I don't know what effect acetone will have on nickel, though. There are dips specifically for nickel. You may want to try one of those products instead. I'll see what I can find and post it here.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1152 Posts |
Its definitely going to spread if nothing is done about it... look around for a couple days, and if acetone is the only option, I would do it.
Andrew
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
The 1915D is one of those harder to find dates in the buffalo series and to top it off you have a full horn! I would think long and hard before attempting to clean the coin but if you intend to keep it then the only worry would be your own opinion? I have numerous Buffalo nickels with different substances or coloring on them and to this day I have NEVER attempted to clean one. There may be a chance this coin has already been cleaned? And, if this is the case another cleaning may NOT remove the green that still remains? In any event, should you clean the coin, please post a photo and let us know what you used to do it. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
First, Mynt, welcome to the forum! As you've probably already discovered, we're a friendly group and just loaded with knowledge, experience, and of course, opinions . I'll back up Terry's admonitions 100% about the advisability of cleaning and recommend against it unless it's done professionally (e.g., by NCS). Unless it has already been cleaned, once it becomes cleaned, it's future value is diminished for all time. There is no way one can take back a cleaning; it's forever. Fred |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2177 Posts |
Nice Buffalo!  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1091 Posts |
The RULE is DON"T CLEAN COINS.
Having said that...
I have found that a soak in olive oil for a day softens the gunk on a coin. Then a bit of gentle rubbing with a cotton bud and a lot of the green comes off. The coins looks will improve immensely. Where the green has taken hold there could be some black pitting of the metal, that was caused by the green ...not the clean.
My view is that the coin has been in circulation for years. A little oil adds just another days wear on the coin. It may help remove what will ruin a coin if left alone. Olive Oil will not affect the tone of the coin.
It's your coin so you can do whatever you want with it. You could use sand paper on it.LOL Any clean that takes off the tone of a coin is also frowned upon by many, including myself.
But, in the end, the question is what will OTHERS think of the coin. Most collectors upon seeing green on a coin will not offer a good price for it. A "lower grade" coin will not reduce by a grade by a gentle clean. While "Uncirculated" coins are totally ruined by the slightest clean, Hense the rule...Don't Clean Coins.
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Valued Member
 Sweden
79 Posts |
Wow, thanks guys! You've given some really helpful advice. The damage seems like enough to warrant a cleaning. So I've decided to read up more on PVC damange, as well past forum threads about cleaning. From what I gather, acetone seems like the most reliable cleaning option. And, it's all I have access to at the moment. I've always believed against coin cleaning. So, cleaning would be done entirely for preservation purposes. I don't plan on selling. TwoKopeiki and toast: Thanks for your cleaning tips. crystalk64: Yes, how unfortunate on a coin like this! Susanlynn9: Thanks, that would be helpful. If/when I clean, I will definitely post pics here to let you know how it turns out.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1360 Posts |
Mynt, have you started the cleaning process yet? And if so, which method of cleaning did you decide upon? And have you had any success? |
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Valued Member
Sweden
79 Posts |
Not yet, Snooba. I plan to tackle it this weekend. I'm probably going with acetone... I'll post results here when I finish. Thanks for asking.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1203 Posts |
O.K. so what happened when you did your thing?
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
That appears to be a VF or better coin. Try checking out ncscoin.com. They offer a conservation & restoration service and can clean it (for a minimum $15 fee or 3 % of it's value over that).
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Valued Member
Sweden
79 Posts |
Finally! After getting around to it, here are the results. I submerged the coin in acetone for about 3.5 hours. I occasionaly used a Q-tip to go over the problem areas. I'm pretty satisfied with the results... 90% of the green disappeared, with exception of harder to reach areas. Yep, I missed the reverse spot between N and I in "United."   |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
Mynt, that's a fine job! And good pics, too. That's a curious little circulation mark below the date. I had to do a double take since it almost looks like a mint mark. "F" for 'Frisco?  Unless you're planning to sell the nickel, that little green remainder shouldn't cause any harm, actually gives a little color to the coin. Fred |
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Replies: 24 / Views: 19,747 |
Posted 10/02/2006 4:29 pm
