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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,181 |
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Valued Member
United States
203 Posts |
Hi everyone, brand new here. Was looking for information and stumbled across this site. I am wondering how would be the best way to clean without damaging or to get the date from a Flying Eagle cent? My grandfather found this coin about 20-30 years ago when he tilled the ground to make a garden. This thing is very well worn. The eagle is clearly visible on the front but nothing else is. The coin appears to be a reddish-brown color with some green stuff on it near the top. It looks almost smooth beyond the eagle. On the back, the wreath and One Cent are easily readable. The back is the same greenish color as the top of the front. I know they made these for only 3 years so its not that common of a coin. How can I get it to where a date is readable? I apologize for the horrible quality, the camera is only a 5 megapixel and I have never tried photographing a coin.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4618 Posts |
DO NOT CLEAN THE COIN! Wait for suggestions from other members, I'm not the one to tell you what you need, but DO NOT CLEAN THE COIN!
ANA ID: 3203813 - CONECA ID: N-5637 Clean a coin that may be worth collecting? Please DON'T! When in doubt, leave it dirty!! 
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Valued Member
 United States
203 Posts |
I figured, I am not cleaning it anytime soon. Don't think water has touched this thing for at least 20 years.
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
You can try a soak in acetone but I don't think it will remove gunk that thick. As mentioned do not clean any coins, ever.
Also sounds like you have some verdigris and possible corrosion issues.
swcoin.ecrater.com
Edited by vermontensium
08/04/2011 7:44 pm
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Valued Member
United States
450 Posts |
How does the board feel about the suggestion of a long soak in olive oil ?
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
I thought about that too vanbroj, I'm sure it cannot hurt at this point.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
United States
203 Posts |
Would that damage the coin in any way? This is my first time having a coin that the date is beyond gone. I tried taking a very thin sheet of paper and a very dull pencil and doing a rubbing on it. The eagle mostly came through, the edge where the date is seems to be gone. RICA is the only wording left on the front of the coin. Thank you so much for all of the responses!
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
It sounds like your coin is very corroded. Under normal circumstances, I would say no to any prolonged olive oil soak. Do not clean it in any way but olive oil for many months could not hurt it. Can you read the date. If it is an 1856, stop everything and ask more questions. Very rare and valuable coin.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
United States
203 Posts |
Date is non-existant or corroded beyond recognition.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,181 |
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Posted 08/04/2011 7:35 pm
