Found 1867 Indian Head, Need Advice

[chinman]

So after months of just doing silver and nickels, I got a box of Cents for my son to look through. Amazingly he found an 1867 indian head, which I think according to red book is bronze!!!

Anyway it has some hard green spots on it. Though the date is very clear. Is there a SAFE way to clean this

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[albert]

no. no. no. no. no. Big No.
Never clean coins. it decreases its value even if its 'safe'.
Put it in a 2x2 holder or get it graded. Upload pics plz

[chinman]

[namster]

Dont clean it man. The coin mafia will put a hit out on you. Lets see some pics.

[albert]

ouch. its worth more like this than cleaned.

[fistfulladirt]

Yes! Never clean coins, even if you can't identify what it is. Congrats Chinman on a key iH, the 1867 in my avatar was dug, and looked like crap until I cleaned it.

[chinman]

so why did you clean yours, just out of curiosity

[fistfulladirt]

so why did you clean yours, just out of curiosity

It was a dug coin and had a spot or two of corrosion. A mineral oil soak loosens the corrosion, and then a light q-tip roll with hydrogen peroxide, using a clean edge of q-tip with every roll.
Cleaning coins I've dug doesn't bother me, it's going into my collection - for me to enjoy.

[Coppercrazy]

Flat out no, it would be worth considerably less if it was cleaned. Sure it may have better eye appeal, but collectors want their coins in original condition.

[fistfulladirt]

Flat out no, it would be worth considerably less if it was cleaned. Sure it may have better eye appeal, but collectors want their coins in original condition.

Many very nice old expensive coins collected today were cleaned in the past, as it was common. Today, we know better. CC, just curious, ever dug old coins metal detecting?

[BuffaloBoy]

NO! keep it origional... i found a dirty 1927 wheat cent today with strong wheat lines, but i will not clean it, it ruins the value of the coin(not that the coin had any value to begin with).
hh
buff

[maine_Jim]

Better do something with that soon or there will be nothing left of it. First soak it in warm water and see what happens. Maybe a little dish soap but not much. Be careful and do it quick. After that try mineral oil. After that try this.
Coin Preservation | Preserve Old Coins
Might be able to save it.

Maine_Jim

[Easy]

Sweet! I can't wait till i find something like this......

[OtraVez]

Let it soak in olive oil. Then try and work off some debris with a wooden toothpick.

[fistfulladirt]

Let it soak in olive oil. Then try and work off some debris with a wooden toothpick.

The trend is to use an olive oil soak. Olive oil is an organic material, and is acidic. If it's not neutralized in some way, it will begin to eat at the coin over time.

[chinman]

Neutralize with what?