1857 Flying Eagle Penny

[granthansen]

I'm in the process of writing the full-on story for the day chock full of pics (stay tuned), but at the 9.5 hour mark (yes, long day of digging!) I unearthed this little beauty. Best find of the day... So far I've just soaked in mild soapy water for 10 minutes, but I bit terrified of cleaning further, even though I want to. Got any tips? Throw 'em my way. I haven't conceded that the backside is toasted, but it may be. I'll update the thread when I write the full story. Lots of lessons learned as NJLargeCent and I unearthed a LOT of stuff. Record finds when it comes to pull tabs and rusty nails





While 1857 is great, 1856 would have been inSANE!

 

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[diggerdoug]

im soaking my flying eagle in olive oil. so far can only read the bottom part of the last number. it looks like this "0" cant tell if its a 8 or a 6 yet. I can see part of the 5. Lets hope for the 1856. I can see the outline of the flying eagle on the front the back I can read some of the letters. my first flying eagle was stuck in a bulldozer track mark it was the one im soaking. my second was only 3 to 4 inches down I thought it was a I.H. at first. washed it up and it read 1858. Three feet away an I.H. did come out from 1868 in realy good shape. Came from an old farm in PA homesteaded in 1812. also found a large cent from 1819 there

 

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[granthansen]

Nice, sounds like some great finds. Fingers crossed that it's a 6. I think it's still worth something even if toasted.

 

[granthansen]

Here's the reverse side after one week soaking in olive oil. Some detail is showing. It's back soaking more for another week. I didn't get much more clarity out of my Indian Head, which is back soaking as well:

 

[minton7]

WTG! I have exactly 1 FE... back is beyond toast on mine.. front only has the outline of the eagle visible and the coin is red... gotta be from the nickel content...am afraid to clean mine period.. really would like to get a date off it though... I can see the faint outline of the wreath on the back of yours

 

[granthansen]

Thanks minton7. The wreath is actually more defined in person. I'm having a hard time getting the lighting right for the photo... but when I found it (see original post on this thread) there was no detail whatsoever. Definitely making progress!

 

[ticm]

Here's the reverse side after one week soaking in olive oil. Some detail is showing. It's back soaking more for another week. I didn't get much more clarity out of my Indian Head, which is back soaking as well:

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=661779"/>

How's the front looking?

 

[granthansen]

No significant difference on the front. I'll check it again next week and probably end the process. Dry it up and display.

 

[Mzjavert]

Happy New Year, er, Congratulations!

 

[ticm]

No significant difference on the front. I'll check it again next week and probably end the process. Dry it up and display.

Hey don't stop the soak until that black stuff comes off. I have known coins to take longer the that.

 

[granthansen]

You got it... it'll stay in as long as it takes.

Do you recommend adding fresh oil now and again?

 

[ticm]

You got it... it'll stay in as long as it takes.

Do you recommend adding fresh oil now and again?

Yes, it's not like your going to break the bank account. LOL

 

[jerseyben]

From another thread I had posted this:

-Dug copper/brass: Room temp peroxide rinse with light finger rubbing followed by boiling peroxide (for badly crusted coins). Soak in distilled water before patting dry prior to storage.
-For silver and non-dug copper: Hardware store acetone and a Q-tip (light rolling only). Soak in distilled water before patting dry prior to storage.
*IF you decide to do an olive oil soak, then olive oil is the ONLY cleaning method you should use on that particular coin.

 

[ticm]

From another thread I had posted this:

-Dug copper/brass: Room temp peroxide rinse with light finger rubbing followed by boiling peroxide (for badly crusted coins). Soak in distilled water before patting dry prior to storage.
-For silver and non-dug copper: Hardware store acetone and a Q-tip (light rolling only). Soak in distilled water before patting dry prior to storage.
*IF you decide to do an olive oil soak, then olive oil is the ONLY cleaning method you should use on that particular coin.

You have to be carefully of peroxide. To much and it removes patina.

 

[granthansen]

Yeah, I've seen a friend over do it with peroxide. I'm on the olive oil trail now and will stay on it. Thanks guys!

 

[Notyourtacosalad]

i heard you can clean pennies with ketchup and a q tip rub the ketchup on the penny and then use the q tip to spread it

 

[jerseyben]

Yea, I mean... If you have a nice looking or fairly rare coin you just dug up, I wouldnt throw it in boiling peroxide bath because it definitely will affect the patina. All I would do in that case is just do a light rinse in room temp peroxide just to remove surface dirt (maybe lightly roll a q-tip over the surface to lift out dirt). I would follow that by a soak in distilled water, pat dry, and put it away.

 

[testing123]

Hey don't stop the soak until that black stuff comes off. I have known coins to take longer the that.

Are you sure the black isn't holding the only remaining detail left? I'd be careful at this point where it can start getting worse instead of better

 

[granthansen]

Are you sure the black isn't holding the only remaining detail left? I'd be careful at this point where it can start getting worse instead of better

I've wondered about this too. On a great coin cleaning site: Cleaning Coins

I've read this:

"Copper (Cu, Cuprum) is the most important of the non-precious heavy metals for coinage. It is attacked by weak acids (verdigris) and sulfur compounds (tarnish), but after lengthy intervals the copper patina forms a second coating considered to be a mark of genuineness of age, which should not be removed in the normal state."

I think another q-tip rub would get some of the dark stuff off indeed, but do I want to? Hmm...

 

[ticm]

Are you sure the black isn't holding the only remaining detail left? I'd be careful at this point where it can start getting worse instead of better

That's possible. Gotta see the coin to tell. Don't be in such a hurry to use a q tip. That's what going to do damage if the coin is not ready for it.

 

[granthansen]

Luckily, as impatient as I am by nature, I'm in no rush. I do have to transfer it to another container... my wife wants her Tupperware back!

Speaking of patience... this hobby is great for teaching it to me. Not fun if you get frustrated by nail after nail, pull tab after pull tab.