1864 2-Cent Piece - First one I ever found

[thekise]

Found at old farm/park this morning about 8 inches down (a couple of square nails in hole as well....)
Any way to clean the black off without damaging coin??

 

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[cudamark]

The active ingredient in Worchester sauce is white wine vinegar. It's cheaper to just use that, but, vinegar will also take off the patina, so, use it sparingly. If you want to keep the patina, but, remove surface debris (not corrosion), use acetone. If it's corrosion you want to remove, you will also remove detail and patina in the process regardless of which method you use. Soft picks (toothpick, Andre's pencils, bamboo stick, etc) can remove corrosion to a point, but, usually leaves pits. Not much you can do about that if it's corroded. Olive oil will usually darken copper over time. Once I get a coin looking as good as I think it's going to get, I like using Coin Care for long term protection of copper coins. It has a silicone base to help keep moisture and future corrosion from attacking the coin.

 

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[BLK HOLE]

Great Save!

 

[billb]

Very Nice Congratulations...I think 1864 was the first year In God We Trust was included also

 

[Relicific]

Nice old copper coin

 

[ticndig]

I'd be happy with it just like it is . sometimes you clean a copper coin and poof--- it gone.

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on your first 2 Cent Piece. They are a fun coin to dig.

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

View attachment 2019634View attachment 2019636

Found at old farm/park this morning about 8 inches down (a couple of square nails in hole as well....)
Any way to clean the black off without damaging coin??

Envious man!
That puppy has been at the top of my bucket list!

 

[thekise]

The active ingredient in Worchester sauce is white wine vinegar. It's cheaper to just use that, but, vinegar will also take off the patina, so, use it sparingly. If you want to keep the patina, but, remove surface debris (not corrosion), use acetone. If it's corrosion you want to remove, you will also remove detail and patina in the process regardless of which method you use. Soft picks (toothpick, Andre's pencils, bamboo stick, etc) can remove corrosion to a point, but, usually leaves pits. Not much you can do about that if it's corroded. Olive oil will usually darken copper over time. Once I get a coin looking as good as I think it's going to get, I like using Coin Care for long term protection of copper coins. It has a silicone base to help keep moisture and future corrosion from attacking the coin.

Good information - Thanks!!

I showed it to a coin collector today and the first thing he said is "whatever you do, don't clean it", so I guess I plan to leave this one as is so I don't ruin it!!

 

[thekise]

Envious man!
That puppy has been at the top of my bucket list!

Yes, very happy to have found it!!

Thanks!!

 

[thekise]

I'd be happy with it just like it is . sometimes you clean a copper coin and poof--- it gone.

A collector I showed it to agreed so don't think I'll go farther in cleaning it.
May never find another!!

 

[jewelerguy]

very nice coin. Aside from the crud, it appears to be in nice condition. The 'we' in the motto 'In God We Trust' was the highest point of the 2 cent coins, and was the first part to wear away. Your pics look to show that it's still legible, so your coin didn't see much circulation before being lost

 

[thekise]

very nice coin. Aside from the crud, it appears to be in nice condition. The 'we' in the motto 'In God We Trust' was the highest point of the 2 cent coins, and was the first part to wear away. Your pics look to show that it's still legible, so your coin didn't see much circulation before being lost

Thanks - yes the collector was impressed with the overall condition of it as well...

 

[pepperj]

That is a very nice coin, crisp details.
Personally I kind of like the dark look of the coin. Great details still so I would leave it.
Practice on common wheat penny's and decide what works the best for your soil condition.
I've had mixed luck using Hydrogen Peroxide, sometimes I have been very pleased.
Mostly if a coin is toast, it's toast.

 

[Gene Mean]

Congrats! That is in great shape.

 

[thekise]

That is a very nice coin, crisp details.
Personally I kind of like the dark look of the coin. Great details still so I would leave it.
Practice on common wheat penny's and decide what works the best for your soil condition.
I've had mixed luck using Hydrogen Peroxide, sometimes I have been very pleased.
Mostly if a coin is toast, it's toast.

Yes, good advice.

I saw a post online which showed large cents cleaned with vaseline and q-tips. Tried it on a wheat penny. Did not turn out good on my wheat cent, though he had excellent results!!

 

[WannaDig3687]

What a neat coin to find. Congratulations.

 

[thekise]

What a neat coin to find. Congratulations.

Thanks!!

Was thinking yesterday that as this was minted during the Civil War, there were probably relatively few of them that got to Virginia - a chance it could have been a Yankee soldier drop??

 

[WannaDig3687]

Thanks!!

Was thinking yesterday that as this was minted during the Civil War, there were probably relatively few of them that got to Virginia - a chance it could have been a Yankee soldier drop??

Ah the finds do make you wonder.

 

[Gare]

Great FIND !!! In 54 years of detecting I have only found one of those and that was three years ago along a stone fence like line in the woods in Benezette Pa

 

[thekise]

Great FIND !!! In 54 years of detecting I have only found one of those and that was three years ago along a stone fence like line in the woods in Benezette Pa

Glad you found that one as well - so exciting to get a really good find!!