1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent

[grasshopper]

Hey all,

Spent a few hours today at my usual site (1790s home/courthouse) - I keep going over areas (I think) I've covered before and am still finding stuff.

Started off the day with a little tombac, then got a mixed signal and was floored to see a beautiful Liberty Cap large cent looking back at me. It's a 1796 and is in really nice shape. The back is a little wiped but there's still some cleaning to be done. It's my oldest US coin by 2 years, excluding any state coppers. After the coin I hunted for another hour and got the Jew's Harp (also my first).

The homeowner actually eyeballed the pipe and the big green fancy button that were on the surface. The Pipe is marked L. Fiolet.

Thanks for looking!

 

[Silvermonkey]

That's a beautiful coin Grasshopper! Congrats on finding your earliest US coin. Great hunt!

 

[romeo-1]

Nice finds in great condition!

 

[smokeythecat]

Be careful cleaning the coin. I'd recommend the Andre's pencils and not soap and water.

 

[digging440yrs]

 

[Hawks88]

Congrats on some real nice finds.

 

[grasshopper]

Be careful cleaning the coin. I'd recommend the Andre's pencils and not soap and water.

Thanks, and yes I rarely use water to clean any of my coppers

 

[RiverRat3]

The coin would have made my year! Great find, I’m sure there is more at that site.

 

[Phishfarmer]

AWesome finds! I'd love to find an early American copper like that.

 

[hogge]

95% sure the variety is Sheldon-83. Rare......Really nice find! The only ones it can be are 83,88-91. The only one where your date is the same is the 83. reverse is tough, as the only examples I can research are unclear. Pretty sure I got it right though.

 

[grasshopper]

95% sure the variety is Sheldon-83. Rare......Really nice find! The only ones it can be are 83,88-91. The only one where your date is the same is the 83. reverse is tough, as the only examples I can research are unclear. Pretty sure I got it right though.

Thanks for looking into this! Very cool. I can post some better pics once I have it cleaned off

 

[washingtonian]

Wow, amazing old finds. Nice!!

 

[hogge]

Thanks for looking into this! Very cool. I can post some better pics once I have it cleaned off

That would be good. Clean ALL of my coppers with peroxide. As you may have noticed.....it works really good.

 

[ToddsPoint]

That would be good. Clean ALL of my coppers with peroxide. As you may have noticed.....it works really good.

Do you use the hydrogen peroxide in the small bottle that's used on cuts or do you use the powerful peroxide used by beauty operators to bleach hair? How long do you immerse the coin? Gary

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on some outstanding finds. That Large Cent is beautiful.

 

[hogge]

Do you use the hydrogen peroxide in the small bottle that's used on cuts or do you use the powerful peroxide used by beauty operators to bleach hair? How long do you immerse the coin? Gary

The 2%. Used on cuts. Use enough to immerse the coin. Heat til just comes to a boil. Take out of microwave. Drop coin in......fizz fizz, fizz.(2-3 minutes). Clean off lightly with Q-Tip. Repeat for other side. Sometimes takes 2-3 times for each side......depending on crud. Doesn't hurt coin. NOT Recommended for Indians. Seems to break them down for some reason.

 

[smokeythecat]

I used to use peroxide, soap and water, on some coins the baking soda method, the lemon juice method but I have found mechanical cleaning does the best and you can put some real pressure on the coin and not hurt the patina.

 

[Digger RJ]

Sweet Find!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Steve in PA]

Congrats on the Liberty Cap! That dandy button is a real looker and the Jews Harp is a nice relic too.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Beautiful old copper, congratulations!