Found a Large cent and need help.

[John (Ma)]

I found a large cent today, my first real old coin. I have been soaking it and trying to get the crud off. I know that you shouldn't clean old coins, but this one is holed and very worn. You can barley make outh the head and wreath on the back. I am trying to bring the date out, any ideas? Should I just shine it up since I have no intentions on selling this piece since its my first one?

I would submit a picture, but none of the outlines show up.

Thanks

 

[desertfox]

Congrats on your find WTG. Take the time and just let it soak for a few days then use a very soft tooth brush on it. Coins that old have a tendency to flake and lose all asemblance as to what they really are or were. HH

Desertfox

 

[piggman1]

I'd go with Desertfox on that one.

 

[John (Ma)]

OK> thanks for the replies, I will try it.

 

[Don in SJ]

Without seeing a photo of the coin, I would suggest that you try using wet q-tips and work on the area where you think the date should be and try getting the dirt off using lots of the q-tips. As long as dirt is coming off easily onto the q-tips means you have more dirt to remove yet. Don't worry, you cannot ruin a coin that is already ruined by the ground conditions it was buried in all those years............

If it works in that area than continue with the q-tips, just remember to keep them wet while rubbing.

If you did not use olive oil, you can try the peroxide, I personally would be doing peroxide but I have been using it for many years and there are some tricks to learn, that is, each coin is a bit different in how it cleans and how it works with the peroxide.

 

[nc-joe]

soak it in extra virgin olive oil, this will stop further deterioration. Let is soak for a good week.