These nickels are CLEAN!!! My no date buffs now have a date!

[ashleysflyr]

I decided to try a popular cleaning solution on a nasty, red, 1970 nickel. I scrubbed and scrubbed, but it didn't hardly do anything. I threw it in the old jar cap I was using with the cleaner in it and forgot about it. The next day, the wife brought the mess to me (not to comment on the cleanliness of the nickel either). I looked in the lid, and there it was...a nickel colored nickel where there was once a red mess of a jefferson!
So...I grabbed two of my no-date buffs (figured "what the heck...couldn't hurt anyway!") and here's the results...
The first no date was a 1914. This is after a 12 hour soak, then flipped and another 12 hour soak. The 1919's date became apparent about 1/2 an hour after putting it in the cleaning solution. The second set of the 1919 buff pics is after the first 12 hours...I will add the rest later!
OH! The chemical is Lime-A-Way...that's right...the bathroom cleaner! There is another version called CLR "Calcium Lime and Rust." Haven't tried that specifically yet, but it is basically the same thing. Wouldn't try this on a more valuable nickel, but I collect the buffs for myself because I love that coin! hope this helps and thanks for lookin'!

~Tom

[Ray in CA]

Nice job. Lime-a-Way works well on V nickels too. Just have to be careful that one doesn't leave it in too long.

Ray

[montanagold]

I get the same results soaking the nicks in vinegar but it takes several weeks. thanks for the tip on the lime away. Now I have a tip you will love at the point aftyer their clean they seem a little to clean so I hit mine with a Dremmal buffing wheel and the buffing compound. It makes them look like a nickel that has just been pulled from circulation. Here is a buff I did after I was all done. It was just like yours when I started. Hope this helps.

[Mr Tuff]

yep nice cleaning. i use the works on my nickles. get the same result in a few mins to half a hour... MR TUFF

[zaxfire69]

I have a Buffalo Nickel soaking in Lime away right now. I dug one today and could barely make out the indians head or even see the buffalo. 30 minutes into soaking I was able to get a date off of it. I am going to leave it in. The edges of the face are nickel color, but the head itself is kinda a pink color right now. It is a 1918. I am happy. Thanks for the tips.

[ocalasix]

read somewhere about navel jelly? lime away may have to try it, vinegar too? hmm couple good ideas...six

[rjw4law]

Thanks for suggestions...my nickles need cleaning.