Civil War Token...Maybe??

[Ranger72]

A couple finds today. Can't make out the coin, think it's a Presidential Token...can't make it out too well. Any suggestions on how to clean it up??

 

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[HutSiteDigger]

What's on the back of the token?? once you clean her up pretty good she should come to life and tell more of a story...

 

[Ranger72]

I can't tell what's on the back, lots of writing I can't make out. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to clean it

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Get some distilled (or warm tap water but distilled is the proper way) water and a small brush and brush off what you can then you can get some mild dish-washing detergent and just a squirt of it in the container you put the coin in put the coin in the container with the detergent and rub both sides of the coin between your fingers, Rub the gunk near the edges away of the center of the coin and not into it, then take the coin out and rinse it off with warm tab water or use distilled water and never rub the coin dry just pat it gently til it is dry. Never use any product on the coin if you havent researched it that is a big no no. Good luck

 

[BuckleBoy]

I wouldn't clean with water! toothpick at most, but it looks like it may have already been cleaned with water. It should be able to be ID'ed as it is.

 

[CoilyGirl]

And we wait with baited breath....

 

[HomeGuardDan]

I wouldn't clean with water! toothpick at most, but it looks like it may have already been cleaned with water. It should be able to be ID'ed as it is.

I agree 100% Water will only ruin it as well as rubbing it with a paste. When digging coppers or brass items with a crust or thick coat, the best practice is always to dry brush and pick with a wooden toothpick...scratch a little, then brush with a soft tooth dry tooth brush.

As for the token, I also agree, there is enough there to ID. The bust almost looks like President Hayes a bit...

Dan

 

[pjduff]

Your token looks similar to one of these : Rutherford B. Hayes commemorative token : http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1382280

 

[echodog]

I have a couple they are not old and available on eBay from a few bucks.

 

[Mackaydon]

Try Rutherford B. Hayes--especially with that long 'stash'
Don.....

 

[thrillathahunt]

Gustavus Lindenmueller........ CW Saloon token.

Edit: on second look I don't think that's it.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

You can not go wrong with alittle warm water and a brush, its better to use warm water in a brush then use some chemical and solution, warm water and a brush is never damaged/ruined or made any of my coins or artifacts worse it's only when you use the chemicals or whatever people try that will damage the coin. OF course i'm not going to tell them to use certain chemicals even if the chemicals will work, I always say warm water and a brush.

 

[kuger]

You can not go wrong with alittle warm water and a brush, its better to use warm water in a brush then use some chemical and solution, warm water and a brush is never damaged/ruined or made any of my coins or artifacts worse it's only when you use the chemicals or whatever people try that will damage the coin. OF course i'm not going to tell them to use certain chemicals even if the chemicals will work, I always say warm water and a brush.

Cant speak for your soil but in my soil,you can go major wrong with water.I ruined my first large cent that way,and a Pre C-War token...ruined...like throw away trashed.....with just a little harmless water,before I learned my lesson.I will not put water on anything that has a patina that I want to keep,or a copper coin that I want to be able to read

 

[HutSiteDigger]

I have always heard a small amount of people complain about how water damaged there artifact after cleaning then i hear about people complaining the chemical or lemon juice or what have not is ruined there artifact, its almost a lose lose situation, I have never damaged or made any of my artifacts worse with warm water and a tooth brush when trying to get the dirt and gunk off, i'm not saying too sit there and run it under warm water and brush brush brush away like a mad man just alittle warm water and small brushing after you recover, i do this all the time, maybe im doing it wrong but its never failed me then again most of my relics are from rich soil here in Virginia, i'm sure you go out west or mountain areas it could become a problem then again i've done this with artifacts i've found in Ansted, West Virginia and no problems. So i guess really its a lose lose, but i do know alot of people ruin artifacts trying other things when all they needed was some warm water and a brush and then just leave it be after. I would like to see some photos of ruined artifacts after you cleaned it with lightly with warm water and a brush.

 

[kuger]

I have always heard a small amount of people complain about how water damaged there artifact after cleaning then i hear about people complaining the chemical or lemon juice or what have not is ruined there artifact, its almost a lose lose situation, I have never damaged or made any of my artifacts worse with warm water and a tooth brush when trying to get the dirt and gunk off, i'm not saying too sit there and run it under warm water and brush brush brush away like a mad man just alittle warm water and small brushing after you recover, i do this all the time, maybe im doing it wrong but its never failed me then again most of my relics are from rich soil here in Virginia, i'm sure you go out west or mountain areas it could become a problem then again i've done this with artifacts i've found in Ansted, West Virginia and no problems. So i guess really its a lose lose, but i do know alot of people ruin artifacts trying other things when all they needed was some warm water and a brush and then just leave it be after. I would like to see some photos of ruined artifacts after you cleaned it with lightly with warm water and a brush.

...when I get a chance I will see if I can dig them up.It boils down to #1 your soil,and #2 knowing when to,or not to do what......just like "scrub",and silver or gold coin,never should be said in the same sentence

 

[Davers]

Nice finds :It seems everyone have an opinion or [their way] on how to clean/preserve their finds ,I would experiment with sugested methods& learn what works best for you . cool token 'NEW OR OLD" Intriguing ring as well. DAVERS

 

[Sovereignelite]

That token has some age, you can tell from the patina.

I have a couple they are not old and available on eBay from a few bucks.

 

[matt092079]

What's the size of the "token"? I've looked through a bunch of CW tokens when I found mine last year and that one doesn't look familiar. Doesn't mean it isn't one though.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

...when I get a chance I will see if I can dig them up.It boils down to #1 your soil,and #2 knowing when to,or not to do what......just like "scrub",and silver or gold coin,never should be said in the same sentence

Not to start an argument, but honestly it does depend on soil. I will say though that for the most part water can do SERIOUS damage to copper and brass items. I do not use chemicals on my coins, but once oxidation begins and a crust (especially in acidic soil) water will remove the thin layer that usually contains the outline of the former items detail. IMHO the only thing worse than water (cold or warm) is to rub an item while it is still coated in wet soil. I have seen folks outright ruin items by rubbing them with their fingers once freshly dug.

Dan

 

[kuger]

Not to start an argument, but honestly it does depend on soil. I will say though that for the most part water can do SERIOUS damage to copper and brass items. I do not use chemicals on my coins, but once oxidation begins and a crust (especially in acidic soil) water will remove the thin layer that usually contains the outline of the former items detail. IMHO the only thing worse than water (cold or warm) is to rub an item while it is still coated in wet soil. I have seen folks outright ruin items by rubbing them with their fingers once freshly dug.

Dan

Exactly Dan,I only put it the way I did,because I have never dug back east so cant speak for there,but I wont put water on anything short of iron,as I said I have witnessed first hand what it does,glad you mentioned brass as well,like I said,"anything with a patina you want to preserve"