DUG MY FIRST COLONIAL COPPER!

[dirtfishingdave]

Hello everyone again,

I dug my first colonial copper coin today, it was my last target of the day. It rang a solid hit of 12-45 only 4-5 inches in depth. Severe thunderstorm was rolling in my direction, I got this solid hit and decided one more for the day before I get soaked. Iam glad I dug it! I can't believe that you can see the date! Anyone have thoughts of what it is? Penny? Half penny? Bust?

 

[Iron Patch]

You got a CT copper.

 

[Evolution]

Congrats on that Connecticut copper. Nice find.

 

[wvwildman]

nice find congrats HH

 

[vpnavy]

Dave!

 

[dirtfishingdave]

Thanks everyone, any suggestions on how to properly proceed to take the dirt off without damaging the coin any further in its current status?

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Hey that is a great find right there, nice going. As for cleaning it I would just take a soft tooth brush and lighty brush the loose dirt of it and maybe use a damp rag and lightly wipe it off. If you use too much pressure when brushing it can remove some detail.
I know there are more colonial coppers in the ground down where you are at, now go out and get some more.
ZDD

 

[romeo-1]

Nice one...I didn't have a clue either when I found a CT!

 

[cjon455]

Thats a really nice coin! good thing u dug that last signal!

 

[pepperj]

Nice going on your first one, wishing you many more in the future.

 

[PeteWmass]

spray it with WD40 and wipe it off....don't use water.....

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Thanks everyone, any suggestions on how to properly proceed to take the dirt off without damaging the coin any further in its current status?

Yeah good find.

You got an ID, and can even see the date that's already better than 70-90% of 1700's coppers. So as far as cleaning goes you might want to leave it alone. It looks like it already had a wash. The little bit of dirt / green crust left on it actually helps the lettering stand out and removing it will make it harder to see, giving it less eye appeal (IMO). It is definitely week with corrosion esp. the head side. You could easily make a blank out of that side with much of any treatment. I'd give it a thumb rub at most, and call it done. It's of course up to you.

Can always clean more / later, you can't undo bad treatment. I went a little too far a few times. In any case this is your first colonial, I'd wait and practice on a lesser coin. Not everyone finds state coppers.

 

[Metdet49]

That's an awesome find Dave. I would love to come across one those state coppers. It looks like most of the dirt is off of it. I wouldn't fool with it anymore than that. You can read the date and you know what it is, so I would display it as is.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Dry toothbrush to start. Not much pressure. Then oil from your fingers on lightly and repeatedly rubbed over the high points of the coin to bring out the detail. See my video on how to clean nickels. No water!

 

[Ashman]

Congrats, I still remember my when I dug up a 1827 one cent piece... A bitter gold day on the eastern shore but I never felt those temps, to bust digging and being motivated... Awesome find there...

 

[doninbrewster]

What you have is a 1787 Draped Bust Left Connecticut copper. It appears it is of the Miller obverse type 33, of which there are many varieties. The reverse is a bit tougher as there is only one cinquefoil after INDE and only a colon after ETLIB. Can't tell for sure, but it appears that it might have been a high grade coin when it was lost. Nice find!

 

[dirtfishingdave]

Thanks for the information, and all the suggestions on how to properly clean up this 1787 draped bust. I still haven't done anything to it except lightly gone over it with a soft toothbrush and a little bit of water to loosen up the dirt.