Half cent advice

[pro778]

I found this 1800 or 1806 half cent today. I don't know if I should clean it a little more or just leave it alone. It's pretty corroded and I'm afraid I'll loose the detail with the dirt.
Thanks

 

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[l.cutler]

It looks more like 182?, it is the later style, 1809 to 1836. I don't know if any more cleaning would help it or hurt it, it looks like it may be starting to crumble.

 

[pinebarrens1]

clean the hell out of it ............it maybe a lost cause already . but just do it ......i cant believe you got only one responce to your advice ........?.....................some of the stupidest posts get a hundred replies and you help one gets one .....................

 

[BuckleBoy]

clean the hell out of it ............it maybe a lost cause already . but just do it ......i cant believe you got only one responce to your advice ........?.....................some of the stupidest posts get a hundred replies and you help one gets one .....................

I try to read the majority of the posts here. This one was in the "Coins" section, rather than Cleaning and Preservation, or some other more often viewed section. So that is most of the reason it didn't get more replies, I'm certain.

If it is your only Half Cent, or nicest one, or only example of that design, then I would leave it alone. Due to how crumbly it looks, I think most anything you could do to it would make it look like an indistinguishable copper disc.

Regards,



Buckles

 

[tinkb]

Have to agree with BuckleBoy on this one. I have tried cleaning several IHs and wheats in about the same condition with various techniques. The end results have been more lost of detail. It appears to me that the 2 and ? have been damaged and cleaning wouldn't help.

Btw, great find and congrats. Any US coins of that date should get more post of congratulation like Pine mentioned.

 

[davest]

slap it in a 2x2 with a the date you found it. Those are not found here in florida, hell, we're lucky to find wheaties in good condition.

 

[drgest]

It's copper. What do you guys think about using the hydrogen peroxide method with a quick rinse and a quick dry maybe gentle pressure with paper towel or hair dryer - no rubbing?

 

[hogge]

It's copper. What do you guys think about using the hydrogen peroxide method with a quick rinse and a quick dry maybe gentle pressure with paper towel or hair dryer - no rubbing?

I use this method on most (I said most) of my copper coins. I think that if you tried it with this one, it may take quite a bit of detail with it. Especially if it was heated to a boil. Found this one out the hard way with an IH. I think warm water, a tiny bit of dish liquid and a soft toothbrush on each side ONCE! That would be good enough.

 

[creeper71]

It's copper. What do you guys think about using the hydrogen peroxide method with a quick rinse and a quick dry maybe gentle pressure with paper towel or hair dryer - no rubbing?

I use this method on most (I said most) of my copper coins. I think that if you tried it with this one, it may take quite a bit of detail with it. Especially if it was heated to a boil. Found this one out the hard way with an IH. I think warm water, a tiny bit of dish liquid and a soft toothbrush on each side ONCE! That would be good enough.

IMO that coin is a lost cause if you do anything to clean it.. you'll have nothing but a copper disc... it is way to fragile to handle any cleaning.. just try to wash the dirt of an then leave it alone

 

[allen]

leave it as it is !!

 

[silvercop]

i have had luck cleaning dirty coins with one of those steam irons like you see on those tv ads from time to time. i just steam them but do not rub the coin with anything. that includes drying. i let the coin airdry.