1866 sheild nickle to clean or not to clean?

[KSDirtfisher77]

Ok guys I got this 1866 sheild nickle stars & Ray's variety should I clean this or just leave it alone? I've washed it with water & put a coat of olive oil on it. It's a really nice looking coin other than looking like a red headed step child🤣😂🤣 Would a coin in this condition have any value to it as is? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[UnderMiner]

It looks great in my opinion, but I'm no numismatist. Personally I would just keep it like this.

 

[Tpmetal]

Coin will always be graded with enviormental damage. Won't be worth much. I would leave it as is, a good looking coin.

 

[Shakakka]

DON'T clean that. It looks awesome as it is, and you'll be disappointed with the results.

 

[Zakon Krzyżacki]

If you know enough to know about varieties, then you should know that you never clean a coin.
You can just try and soak it for a long while in pure acetone, but I wouldn't expect much.

 

[BennyV]

I like it in its current form. Looks like it has a story to tell.

 

[Lenrac2]

That one looks way better than the ones we find! I would leave it!

 

[villagenut]

I would leave it as is....i have found that shield and V nickels are nearly impossible to shine up like a silver coin would do. Leave it dark and beautiful.