So, to get this out of the way, I know that you ARE NOT supposed to clean/alter coins, it ruins the value, etc, etc, etc.
That being said, dateless buffalos... as I understand it, they are generally worth around $0.15. Now, as someone who is more interested in filling a folder than preserving the value of a $0.15 coin, I am interested in working to restore some of the dateless buffalos the wife and I find. In doing some Googling, I came across this guys web site...
http://buffaloreincarnations.com/about/restoration.php and I have to say his work is pretty impressive. I certainly understand why he doesn't want to share his method with the world, but I don't have the $25k he is asking to take over his business. So, I am trying to do some brain storming and experimenting to see if I can get results even close to his. You read his site, and he mentions that he uses 3 cleaning treatments - 1 soap and water, 2 chemical. I would think the soap and water would be just a general cleaning solution used before and after other treatments. Looking at the picture he has of the chemical - you can see Nail Polish Remover (acetone most likely) and ammonia. I have also heard of ferric chloride (Nic-a-Date), hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), and I have tried acetic acid (vinegar) with some success.
So, if anyone has experience or thoughts with these or other chemicals/techniques, PLEASE speak up. In the mean, I am going to work on gathering some chemicals and some worn Jefferson's to experiment on. I will do the before and after pics as well as methods on here as I go.
