1877 Key date and plus more (update) more pics

[IAsoldier]

Well its been a great week that all started Friday evening after school. Lately Ive been getting silver at least once per day and wheaties. I cant complain to much on the weather which has been great so far even for today. Now today I did what I normally do is head out to one of the local parks and beep it up and down the hills. Well it paid off I finally, found the key date in IH pennys which I was totally not expecting to find in the middle of no where. Now is there a best way to clean the 1877 with out damaging it and how do I send this off to NGC or PCGS for slabbing.

Update did a little bit of cleaning with a soft brush and warm water. The 1877 IH came out very nice and green I would grade it F-XF shows liberty but faded. The shield in back has full lines and all wheats shows. Also today a bank while cashing payroll check I got these 3 Proof Silver Quarters as change all mint mark of S . 2004-Texas,2006-Neb and 2010 Mount Hood

Silver dimes, 1883 Seated, 1901 Barber, Mercurys 1918, 1936-D,
2 silver rings, one copper
Wheaties, 1917,19,41-D,57-D
Key dated 1877 IH

 

[DirtDodger]

First, I did not say it did not need to have the dirt removed. The latest pictures... it is fine in that condition. You can see everythine need.
I would not do any more. It has all the detail visible.

Second, I ask anyone who thinks cleaning a coin to take it to any knowledgeable profession or ANA (American Numismatic Association) certified dealer and ask them if you should clean it with Peroxide. I am willing to bet none of them are going to tell you should. It should be done by a professional. Period.

The first rule of coin cleaning is: If you don't know its value, don't clean it, or if you think it is valuable, don't clean it, or if you know it is valuable, don't clean it. In other words, do not clean your discovered coins; leave them untouched and stored in proper holders. The reason for this is that coin dealers and collectors are interested in purchasing coins in their original condition and natural state of preservation. For example, never clean coins with commercial jewelry and metal polishes or silver tarnish remover, which will remove the toning that normally collects over time on copper and silver coins. Removing tarnish often harms coins, leaving small spots, scratches, or pockmarks that can significantly diminish their numismatic value by up to 90 percent! Statistically, nearly 20 percent of coins shown to coin dealers are rejected because they were improperly cleaned, polished, or their toning was chemically enhanced. Remember, you cannot unclean an improperly cleaned coin.

The second rule of cleaning coins is take your coins to a professional do the cleaning. Coin cleaning not be attempted by an amateur.

As for someone experience with cleaning a $500 coin and making it a $5k coin. Well, I can't say much other than I'm happy for your good fortune. Remember if it sold for 5k it was always a 5k coin. Cleaning does not enhance the value. It can if done improperly reduce the value.

Also, the quarters from change are modern Proof coins. Handle them with care. Place them into holders and try not totouch the surfaces. Someone likely spent them, the are worth more than just silver value. The would be called impaired Proofs since they were handled already. Great find in change, keen eye!

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: 1877 Key date and plus more

Please DO NOT clean it. I've been a collector for 40+ years. Trust me most collectors will not buy a coin that has been cleaned.

If you WANT to RUIN the coin Peroxide soak with light brushing will do it.

You should only rinse off the dirt. If you do more than that you WILL decrease the value.

If you want to get more of the dirt off soak in olive oil, this will take time... months possibly.

Most grading services will grade it as damage, because it is. Any copper coin dug up is.
The surface of ths coin is everything to a collector.

It is a very important coin and still has good value to a collector....
but it needs handled by an exprienced person to remove the dirt and not harm the value.

Please everyone if you find a good coin, DO NOT clean it. The last thing a collector want to see is a coin ruined due to cleaning.

Congrates... Dirt diggin for 40 years and 500+ indians, still looking for a '77.


[/qu

Well if it's only dirt of course you only need water, that's just common sense.

As for the peroxide ruining the coin or hurting the value.... yes, that was certainly the case for the copper I dug that was worth maybe $500 to someone when dug (because there was almost no detail showing) but after cleaning with peroxide I sold it for 5k. I'll leave my comments at that, although I probably could say a lot more.

You always say plenty

Very Wise man!!!!!!!!

THE Man.
banner vote here on that IH
Big congrats on the Superb finds!
looks like you did fine cleaning it

 

[Iron Patch]

First, I did not say it did not need to have the dirt removed.

Second, I ask anyone who thinks cleaning a coin to take it to any knowledgeable profession or ANA (American Numismatic Association) certified dealer and ask them if you should clean it with Peroxide. I am willing to bet none of them are going to tell you should. It should be done by a professional. Period.

The first rule of coin cleaning is: If you don't know its value, don't clean it, or if you think it is valuable, don't clean it, or if you know it is valuable, don't clean it. In other words, do not clean your discovered coins; leave them untouched and stored in proper holders. The reason for this is that coin dealers and collectors are interested in purchasing coins in their original condition and natural state of preservation. For example, never clean coins with commercial jewelry and metal polishes or silver tarnish remover, which will remove the toning that normally collects over time on copper and silver coins. Removing tarnish often harms coins, leaving small spots, scratches, or pockmarks that can significantly diminish their numismatic value by up to 90 percent! Statistically, nearly 20 percent of coins shown to coin dealers are rejected because they were improperly cleaned, polished, or their toning was chemically enhanced. Remember, you cannot unclean an improperly cleaned coin.

The second rule of cleaning coins is take your coins to a professional do the cleaning. Coin cleaning not be attempted by an amateur.

As for someone experience with cleaning a $500 coin and making it a $5k coin. Well, I can't say much other than I'm happy for your good fortune. Remember if it sold for 5k it was always a 5k coin. Cleaning does not enhance the value. It can if done improperly reduce the value.

I'll see if I can find the thread of the 1877 Indian that was sent in and totally destroyed by the "professionals."

You can spin it how you want, but I would not have got more than $500 for my coin without cleaning it. What the problem appears to be is that you're talking general guidelines that apply to non dug coins and believing the same holds true for dug. The 77 Indian posted here is dug, and is definitely going to have issues, and nothing will change that. At this point the way to make it the most valuable is to give it some eye appeal, and the peroxide is not going to do anything that the ground hasn't already done so far. You're definitely entitled to have your own opinion, but I probably have more experience than you realize and can back up anything I say.

 

[Iron Patch]

Coin looks great. Either your ground is kind to copper or you just hit the daily double... both rarity and condition!

 

[IAsoldier]

Iron Patch every coin Ive dug from this park always comes out great. Either its the ground condition or plan luck which I dont mind. On this coin I just put under warm water and let gravity do the rest. I have a few toast coins from different locations like my 1806 1/2 cent small 6 with stems (also key date in series). Over all its a keeper and hopefully there more goodies in those woods. Later alll

 

[oldsalty19]

nice IH

 

[Bartman]

My dream coin. Awesome condition too. I pulled an 1878 a few weeks back and was really disappointed when I saw the 8. banner IMO.

 

[DirtDodger]

First, I did not say it did not need to have the dirt removed.

Second, I ask anyone who thinks cleaning a coin to take it to any knowledgeable profession or ANA (American Numismatic Association) certified dealer and ask them if you should clean it with Peroxide. I am willing to bet none of them are going to tell you should. It should be done by a professional. Period.

The first rule of coin cleaning is: If you don't know its value, don't clean it, or if you think it is valuable, don't clean it, or if you know it is valuable, don't clean it. In other words, do not clean your discovered coins; leave them untouched and stored in proper holders. The reason for this is that coin dealers and collectors are interested in purchasing coins in their original condition and natural state of preservation. For example, never clean coins with commercial jewelry and metal polishes or silver tarnish remover, which will remove the toning that normally collects over time on copper and silver coins. Removing tarnish often harms coins, leaving small spots, scratches, or pockmarks that can significantly diminish their numismatic value by up to 90 percent! Statistically, nearly 20 percent of coins shown to coin dealers are rejected because they were improperly cleaned, polished, or their toning was chemically enhanced. Remember, you cannot unclean an improperly cleaned coin.

The second rule of cleaning coins is take your coins to a professional do the cleaning. Coin cleaning not be attempted by an amateur.

As for someone experience with cleaning a $500 coin and making it a $5k coin. Well, I can't say much other than I'm happy for your good fortune. Remember if it sold for 5k it was always a 5k coin. Cleaning does not enhance the value. It can if done improperly reduce the value.

I'll see if I can find the thread of the 1877 Indian that was sent in and totally destroyed by the "professionals."

You can spin it how you want, but I would not have got more than $500 for my coin without cleaning it. What the problem appears to be is that you're talking general guidelines that apply to non dug coins and believing the same holds true for dug. The 77 Indian posted here is dug, and is definitely going to have issues, and nothing will change that. At this point the way to make it the most valuable is to give it some eye appeal, and the peroxide is not going to do anything that the ground hasn't already done so far. You're definitely entitled to have your own opinion, but I probably have more experience than you realize and can back up anything I say.

No, Sir I was not quoting general guidelines for non-dug coins - Those guidelines apply to ALL coins. With more than 40 years collecting coins and as a long time member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) I have a fairly extensive background in numismatics.

Yes, some soils can damage a coin far more than some chemicals… that still don’t mean those chemicals should be used for cleaning coins.

Rinsing or soaking the dirt off with water is not cleaning a coin. Anyone knows a dug coin needs the dirt off it to properly evaluate it. The question is how to remove the surface dirt. Your method is totally NOT advisable and one anyone who knows coins (dug or not) would not endorse it. It is unwise and could devalue a great coin.

I realize that this will not impact your thoughts on this matter as your opinion is made up, it is directed to the rest of the folks out there… the last thing any coin collector wants to see is a coin ruined.

Yes, even experts can ruin coins cleaning them, that should be enough of a warning that care should be taken. If they can ruin them, and then a non-expert stands a much greater risk of destroying them also.

PLEASE to all the rest of you consult an expert on any coins like this ’77 before cleaning. Also, remember not every local dealer is an expert in this area. Search out an ANA, or Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) certified expert. Just like anything else, listen to the pros and cons and make an informed decision. It never hurts to have more information.

 

[Iron Patch]

First, I did not say it did not need to have the dirt removed.

Second, I ask anyone who thinks cleaning a coin to take it to any knowledgeable profession or ANA (American Numismatic Association) certified dealer and ask them if you should clean it with Peroxide. I am willing to bet none of them are going to tell you should. It should be done by a professional. Period.

The first rule of coin cleaning is: If you don't know its value, don't clean it, or if you think it is valuable, don't clean it, or if you know it is valuable, don't clean it. In other words, do not clean your discovered coins; leave them untouched and stored in proper holders. The reason for this is that coin dealers and collectors are interested in purchasing coins in their original condition and natural state of preservation. For example, never clean coins with commercial jewelry and metal polishes or silver tarnish remover, which will remove the toning that normally collects over time on copper and silver coins. Removing tarnish often harms coins, leaving small spots, scratches, or pockmarks that can significantly diminish their numismatic value by up to 90 percent! Statistically, nearly 20 percent of coins shown to coin dealers are rejected because they were improperly cleaned, polished, or their toning was chemically enhanced. Remember, you cannot unclean an improperly cleaned coin.

The second rule of cleaning coins is take your coins to a professional do the cleaning. Coin cleaning not be attempted by an amateur.

As for someone experience with cleaning a $500 coin and making it a $5k coin. Well, I can't say much other than I'm happy for your good fortune. Remember if it sold for 5k it was always a 5k coin. Cleaning does not enhance the value. It can if done improperly reduce the value.

I'll see if I can find the thread of the 1877 Indian that was sent in and totally destroyed by the "professionals."

You can spin it how you want, but I would not have got more than $500 for my coin without cleaning it. What the problem appears to be is that you're talking general guidelines that apply to non dug coins and believing the same holds true for dug. The 77 Indian posted here is dug, and is definitely going to have issues, and nothing will change that. At this point the way to make it the most valuable is to give it some eye appeal, and the peroxide is not going to do anything that the ground hasn't already done so far. You're definitely entitled to have your own opinion, but I probably have more experience than you realize and can back up anything I say.

No, Sir I was not quoting general guidelines for non-dug coins - Those guidelines apply to ALL coins. With more than 40 years collecting coins and as a long time member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) I have a fairly extensive background in numismatics.

Yes, some soils can damage a coin far more than some chemicals… that still don’t mean those chemicals should be used for cleaning coins.

Rinsing or soaking the dirt off with water is not cleaning a coin. Anyone knows a dug coin needs the dirt off it to properly evaluate it. The question is how to remove the surface dirt. Your method is totally NOT advisable and one anyone who knows coins (dug or not) would not endorse it. It is unwise and could devalue a great coin.

I realize that this will not impact your thoughts on this matter as your opinion is made up, it is directed to the rest of the folks out there… the last thing any coin collector wants to see is a coin ruined.

Yes, even experts can ruin coins cleaning them, that should be enough of a warning that care should be taken. If they can ruin them, and then a non-expert stands a much greater risk of destroying them also.

PLEASE to all the rest of you consult an expert on any coins like this ’77 before cleaning. Also, remember not every local dealer is an expert in this area. Search out an ANA, or Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) certified expert. Just like anything else, listen to the pros and cons and make an informed decision. It never hurts to have more information.

Gotcha. Now please tell us how to clean a very corroded 200+ year old copper coin so no value is lost.

 

[bk]

I think that coin looks gorgeous just the way it is. Incredible find!
I can't believe the number of key date coins and fantastic relics and artifacts posted on this forum recently.
When I started detecting in the early 70's, many people thought it was stupid to waste time looking for pennies in the ground. These kind of finds are what make those people eat their words.
The weather has been unbelievable here recently also.
HH

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Congrats on finding an elusive 1877 Indianhead penny , nice condition deserves a place up top

 

[sfinder]

That's a great looking IH! Just goes to show you that persistence pays off!

 

[smcdmc]

First, I did not say it did not need to have the dirt removed.

Second, I ask anyone who thinks cleaning a coin to take it to any knowledgeable profession or ANA (American Numismatic Association) certified dealer and ask them if you should clean it with Peroxide. I am willing to bet none of them are going to tell you should. It should be done by a professional. Period.

The first rule of coin cleaning is: If you don't know its value, don't clean it, or if you think it is valuable, don't clean it, or if you know it is valuable, don't clean it. In other words, do not clean your discovered coins; leave them untouched and stored in proper holders. The reason for this is that coin dealers and collectors are interested in purchasing coins in their original condition and natural state of preservation. For example, never clean coins with commercial jewelry and metal polishes or silver tarnish remover, which will remove the toning that normally collects over time on copper and silver coins. Removing tarnish often harms coins, leaving small spots, scratches, or pockmarks that can significantly diminish their numismatic value by up to 90 percent! Statistically, nearly 20 percent of coins shown to coin dealers are rejected because they were improperly cleaned, polished, or their toning was chemically enhanced. Remember, you cannot unclean an improperly cleaned coin.

The second rule of cleaning coins is take your coins to a professional do the cleaning. Coin cleaning not be attempted by an amateur.

As for someone experience with cleaning a $500 coin and making it a $5k coin. Well, I can't say much other than I'm happy for your good fortune. Remember if it sold for 5k it was always a 5k coin. Cleaning does not enhance the value. It can if done improperly reduce the value.

I'll see if I can find the thread of the 1877 Indian that was sent in and totally destroyed by the "professionals."

You can spin it how you want, but I would not have got more than $500 for my coin without cleaning it. What the problem appears to be is that you're talking general guidelines that apply to non dug coins and believing the same holds true for dug. The 77 Indian posted here is dug, and is definitely going to have issues, and nothing will change that. At this point the way to make it the most valuable is to give it some eye appeal, and the peroxide is not going to do anything that the ground hasn't already done so far. You're definitely entitled to have your own opinion, but I probably have more experience than you realize and can back up anything I say.

No, Sir I was not quoting general guidelines for non-dug coins - Those guidelines apply to ALL coins. With more than 40 years collecting coins and as a long time member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) I have a fairly extensive background in numismatics.

Yes, some soils can damage a coin far more than some chemicals… that still don’t mean those chemicals should be used for cleaning coins.

Rinsing or soaking the dirt off with water is not cleaning a coin. Anyone knows a dug coin needs the dirt off it to properly evaluate it. The question is how to remove the surface dirt. Your method is totally NOT advisable and one anyone who knows coins (dug or not) would not endorse it. It is unwise and could devalue a great coin.

I realize that this will not impact your thoughts on this matter as your opinion is made up, it is directed to the rest of the folks out there… the last thing any coin collector wants to see is a coin ruined.

Yes, even experts can ruin coins cleaning them, that should be enough of a warning that care should be taken. If they can ruin them, and then a non-expert stands a much greater risk of destroying them also.

PLEASE to all the rest of you consult an expert on any coins like this ’77 before cleaning. Also, remember not every local dealer is an expert in this area. Search out an ANA, or Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) certified expert. Just like anything else, listen to the pros and cons and make an informed decision. It never hurts to have more information.

Dug Indian after hot peroxide bath. Started with water rinse and the crust that was on there was just not even beginning to let loose. Couldn't even make out the date yet. These pictures are part way through the process. It kept a nice deep greenish brown patina and if I were buying, the fact that it had been "cleaned" would not stop me.

And if you really want or expect to be taken seriously with any amount of respect, then maybe you should hang around awhile, put your time in and get to know people before you make posts that make you sound like a pompous know-it-all.

 

[smcdmc]

Congratulations on the banner. And yeah, those quarters look like part of a proof set. Weird to find them in change.

 

[Mike from MI]

Congrats on the great find! We all want to find one of them!

 

[Broken knee]

First, I did not say it did not need to have the dirt removed.

Second, I ask anyone who thinks cleaning a coin to take it to any knowledgeable profession or ANA (American Numismatic Association) certified dealer and ask them if you should clean it with Peroxide. I am willing to bet none of them are going to tell you should. It should be done by a professional. Period.

The first rule of coin cleaning is: If you don't know its value, don't clean it, or if you think it is valuable, don't clean it, or if you know it is valuable, don't clean it. In other words, do not clean your discovered coins; leave them untouched and stored in proper holders. The reason for this is that coin dealers and collectors are interested in purchasing coins in their original condition and natural state of preservation. For example, never clean coins with commercial jewelry and metal polishes or silver tarnish remover, which will remove the toning that normally collects over time on copper and silver coins. Removing tarnish often harms coins, leaving small spots, scratches, or pockmarks that can significantly diminish their numismatic value by up to 90 percent! Statistically, nearly 20 percent of coins shown to coin dealers are rejected because they were improperly cleaned, polished, or their toning was chemically enhanced. Remember, you cannot unclean an improperly cleaned coin.

The second rule of cleaning coins is take your coins to a professional do the cleaning. Coin cleaning not be attempted by an amateur.

As for someone experience with cleaning a $500 coin and making it a $5k coin. Well, I can't say much other than I'm happy for your good fortune. Remember if it sold for 5k it was always a 5k coin. Cleaning does not enhance the value. It can if done improperly reduce the value.

I'll see if I can find the thread of the 1877 Indian that was sent in and totally destroyed by the "professionals."

You can spin it how you want, but I would not have got more than $500 for my coin without cleaning it. What the problem appears to be is that you're talking general guidelines that apply to non dug coins and believing the same holds true for dug. The 77 Indian posted here is dug, and is definitely going to have issues, and nothing will change that. At this point the way to make it the most valuable is to give it some eye appeal, and the peroxide is not going to do anything that the ground hasn't already done so far. You're definitely entitled to have your own opinion, but I probably have more experience than you realize and can back up anything I say.

No, Sir I was not quoting general guidelines for non-dug coins - Those guidelines apply to ALL coins. With more than 40 years collecting coins and as a long time member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) I have a fairly extensive background in numismatics.

Yes, some soils can damage a coin far more than some chemicals… that still don’t mean those chemicals should be used for cleaning coins.

Rinsing or soaking the dirt off with water is not cleaning a coin. Anyone knows a dug coin needs the dirt off it to properly evaluate it. The question is how to remove the surface dirt. Your method is totally NOT advisable and one anyone who knows coins (dug or not) would not endorse it. It is unwise and could devalue a great coin.

I realize that this will not impact your thoughts on this matter as your opinion is made up, it is directed to the rest of the folks out there… the last thing any coin collector wants to see is a coin ruined.

Yes, even experts can ruin coins cleaning them, that should be enough of a warning that care should be taken. If they can ruin them, and then a non-expert stands a much greater risk of destroying them also.

PLEASE to all the rest of you consult an expert on any coins like this ’77 before cleaning. Also, remember not every local dealer is an expert in this area. Search out an ANA, or Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) certified expert. Just like anything else, listen to the pros and cons and make an informed decision. It never hurts to have more information.

Gotcha. Now please tell us how to clean a very corroded 200+ year old copper coin so no value is lost.

IP, I would like to here his answer as well.
Broken Knee

 

[Masonlid]

wow...nice!

 

[IAMZIM]

Way to go! Gratz on Banner!

 

[DirtDodger]

First, I did not say it did not need to have the dirt removed.

Second, I ask anyone who thinks cleaning a coin to take it to any knowledgeable profession or ANA (American Numismatic Association) certified dealer and ask them if you should clean it with Peroxide. I am willing to bet none of them are going to tell you should. It should be done by a professional. Period.

The first rule of coin cleaning is: If you don't know its value, don't clean it, or if you think it is valuable, don't clean it, or if you know it is valuable, don't clean it. In other words, do not clean your discovered coins; leave them untouched and stored in proper holders. The reason for this is that coin dealers and collectors are interested in purchasing coins in their original condition and natural state of preservation. For example, never clean coins with commercial jewelry and metal polishes or silver tarnish remover, which will remove the toning that normally collects over time on copper and silver coins. Removing tarnish often harms coins, leaving small spots, scratches, or pockmarks that can significantly diminish their numismatic value by up to 90 percent! Statistically, nearly 20 percent of coins shown to coin dealers are rejected because they were improperly cleaned, polished, or their toning was chemically enhanced. Remember, you cannot unclean an improperly cleaned coin.

The second rule of cleaning coins is take your coins to a professional do the cleaning. Coin cleaning not be attempted by an amateur.

As for someone experience with cleaning a $500 coin and making it a $5k coin. Well, I can't say much other than I'm happy for your good fortune. Remember if it sold for 5k it was always a 5k coin. Cleaning does not enhance the value. It can if done improperly reduce the value.

I'll see if I can find the thread of the 1877 Indian that was sent in and totally destroyed by the "professionals."

You can spin it how you want, but I would not have got more than $500 for my coin without cleaning it. What the problem appears to be is that you're talking general guidelines that apply to non dug coins and believing the same holds true for dug. The 77 Indian posted here is dug, and is definitely going to have issues, and nothing will change that. At this point the way to make it the most valuable is to give it some eye appeal, and the peroxide is not going to do anything that the ground hasn't already done so far. You're definitely entitled to have your own opinion, but I probably have more experience than you realize and can back up anything I say.

No, Sir I was not quoting general guidelines for non-dug coins - Those guidelines apply to ALL coins. With more than 40 years collecting coins and as a long time member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) I have a fairly extensive background in numismatics.

Yes, some soils can damage a coin far more than some chemicals… that still don’t mean those chemicals should be used for cleaning coins.

Rinsing or soaking the dirt off with water is not cleaning a coin. Anyone knows a dug coin needs the dirt off it to properly evaluate it. The question is how to remove the surface dirt. Your method is totally NOT advisable and one anyone who knows coins (dug or not) would not endorse it. It is unwise and could devalue a great coin.

I realize that this will not impact your thoughts on this matter as your opinion is made up, it is directed to the rest of the folks out there… the last thing any coin collector wants to see is a coin ruined.

Yes, even experts can ruin coins cleaning them, that should be enough of a warning that care should be taken. If they can ruin them, and then a non-expert stands a much greater risk of destroying them also.

PLEASE to all the rest of you consult an expert on any coins like this ’77 before cleaning. Also, remember not every local dealer is an expert in this area. Search out an ANA, or Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) certified expert. Just like anything else, listen to the pros and cons and make an informed decision. It never hurts to have more information.

Gotcha. Now please tell us how to clean a very corroded 200+ year old copper coin so no value is lost.

IP, I would like to here his answer as well.
Broken Knee

It’s improper for me to advise anyone or anyone else to provide on the best method for cleaning unless the have expert knowledge. I didn’t in my any of comments advise anyone as to the best way to coin any coin.

The key point I am trying to tell everyone is IF it is a valuable coin such as this one; use caution. You can never undo the damage from improper cleaning.

PRESERVATION should be the objective, not cleaning.

Each coin is different each case needs to be looked at individually and assessed. Example, one might be willing to chance cleaning or method on a $100 coin vs a $100,000 coin.

As for a 200 year old coin that is heavy corroded; even if it were a very valuable coin being in that state would require someone with expertise in handling removal of the corrosion so the coin could be preserved in the best possible state so it retains as much as the value as possible. Yes, there are many ways to remove the corrosion, but the one used should be the one that BEST preserves the coin and its value. Most people, non-collectors and collectors (including myself) are not experts on removal of the corrosion that is why I tried to explain ask someone who is. I would not ask my doctor to fix my car or my mechanic to check my heart…. It applies to this too.

Please note; the only method I ever heard that most experts agree on is soaking copper coins in olive oil. I have an article where coin auction house (the owners are some of the foremost knowledgable in world) applied this to a pair of extremely valuable copper plates of first strikes of US dollar coins found by detectorists at the first mint site in Philadelphia. This method takes time, they soaked them for several month if I recall correctly.

Coins that are not truly valuable unlike as the ’77 here, cleaning them whether by harsh means or chemicals will not affect their value. This is true of most (not all, example: chain cent) of the early copper coins I see here and I have dig up. I have clean non valuable coins myself using every know method knowing that they had little or no value anyhow. One type I generally clean that have little or no value are nickels. The surface is generally totally ruined when it spends time in the soil. I have used harsh methods so I can see the details and date, some harsher than chemicals mention in this thread. They are not valuable. Would I use or advise someone to do this to an overdate buffalo or 1885 v-nickel or chain cent or 1877 cent or any rare coin - NO? The difference is those coin even dug up they have value.

One last thought --- Advice is cheap, but if the coin is ruined due to someone’s recommended method of cleaning; ask yourself this, are they going to make it right and pay for the damages?

 

[TommNJ]

Excellent silver streak you got going, WTG and a "Beautiful 1877 IH" to boot , Congrats !

TommNJ