1869 shield nickel

[Maniac Detector]

Yesterday while I was detecting in the rain, out pops a VERY crusty V nickel. Well as I am cleaning it, it turns out to be a not very crusty 1869 shield nickel. Also found in this small yard was lots of clad and a 1957d wheat. Now there's quite a span between 1869 and 1957. Where are all the coins from that time period? I'm pretty positive that no one else has ever searched this yard. Any ideas? thanks for looking!

 

[JRMan]

Great find.. Great coin!

 

[vpnavy]

Nice finds Maniac Detector. I searched Google and found 1869 Nickel Value that stats the Shield Nickel, as it is known to collectors, is a rather elusive and historically important part of the first nickels minted by the United States...more... I also found them on EBay - here are a number of EBay: 1869 Shield Nickel Hits.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Could be dropped from someone's coin collection, or lost before the current house was built. Either way, that yard bears more searching.

Congrats on a nice one with a clear date.

Cheers,

Buck

 

[Erik in NJ]

Where are all the coins from that time period? I'm pretty positive that no one else has ever searched this yard. Any ideas? thanks for looking!

6 function harbor freight metal detector (not that there's anything wrong with that) might be the issue ....try searching the yard with a Minelab machine and you might be surprised at what you will find. If you were closer I'd lend you one of mine. Nice nickel!

 

[Wildcat1750]

Nice Shield Nickel find! Still looking for one myself!

 

[Maniac Detector]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate it!

 

[asmerri]

Awesome find! Did you clean it at all?

 

[Maniac Detector]

No...im afraid to. I don't want to hurt the value. You can always clean it later, you cant take back a cleaning. What would you clean it with?

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

If he cleans it details will just fall off most likely. I have found two both are no daters. Nice seeing one with a date =) Heres the photo of my last one for comparison.

 

[Erik in NJ]

You might want to toothpick that crud off the back with a little warm peroxide. Doesn't look too good with the large flakes missing....I think you can make it look better. Looks like there's a lot of detail left on that nickel. If it still looks good, maybe try that brillo pad method (gently). Has anyone ever tried the Magic Eraser?? It might work well.

 

[asmerri]

No...im afraid to. I don't want to hurt the value. You can always clean it later, you cant take back a cleaning. What would you clean it with?

Oh I wouldn't clean it! I recently learned my lesson by trashing a 2 cent coin trying to clean it. I was just curious.

 

[Maniac Detector]

Yea that's kinda what im afraid of. What did you use to clean it? Was it what you used, or you used to much? Im not gonna clean it im just curious myself, and I kinda wanna stay away from it. haha thanks!

 

[Erik in NJ]

He used a fairly harsh method unfortunately on that 2 center. A tooth pick and some warm peroxide will only make that coin look better as far as I'm concerned. It looks a bit unsighly with the large flakes off on the back of it. The detail under those missing flakes is still there and pretty stong. The toothpick and warm peroxide is very mild.

It's your coin, but that's what I would do. It's not worth that much in its current state, but you could give it more eye appeal with a bit of careful cleaning.

Yea that's kinda what im afraid of. What did you use to clean it? Was it what you used, or you used to much? Im not gonna clean it im just curious myself, and I kinda wanna stay away from it. haha thanks!

 

[Erving]

If he cleans it details will just fall off most likely. I have found two both are no daters. Nice seeing one with a date =) Heres the photo of my last one for comparison.

View attachment 813695

I agree with CoinandRelicMan. I think that what appears to be crust is actually what's left to the pantina. If you remove it, you will loose a lot of the detail. Nice find by the way.

 

[Maniac Detector]

Mmmm that's something to think about. I value your opinions. Thanks

 

[Maniac Detector]

He used a fairly harsh method unfortunately on that 2 center. A tooth pick and some warm peroxide will only make that coin look better as far as I'm concerned. It looks a bit unsighly with the large flakes off on the back of it. The detail under those missing flakes is still there and pretty stong. The toothpick and warm peroxide is very mild.

It's your coin, but that's what I would do. It's not worth that much in its current state, but you could give it more eye appeal with a bit of careful cleaning.

In here you mention "a fairly harsh method", what exactly was this method?

 

[Erik in NJ]

I agree with CoinandRelicMan. I think that what appears to be crust is actually what's left to the pantina. If you remove it, you will loose a lot of the detail. Nice find by the way.

He might be right...maybe best to leave it alone especially if it's your first one.

 

[Maniac Detector]

He might be right...maybe best to leave it alone especially if it's your first one.

Yea like I said, you can always mess with it later, but cant take it back. But im sure your advice is accurate thanks!

 

[Erik in NJ]

In here you mention "a fairly harsh method", what exactly was this method?

I think it was lemon juice that he used. He knows better than I do, but it looks like he did it for too long. We have all probably ruined a coin or two when first starting out trying various cleaning methods. I have found warm peroxide to be a fairly gentle method and seems to work well on copper.