Help on Cleaning Pealing Coppers.

[coinman123]

Anyways, I found an 1803 Large Cent in around EF Details today. The only problem is the front is all flaky and pealing, any ideas on cleaning??

 

[ironhorse]

Is the metal flaking away or is it the corrosion flaking off?
If the corrosion is coming off so is the details since many times the details remain stronger in the oxidized surface and not so much in the metal beneath it

I would have to say it is what it is at this point , just my two cents

 

[coinman123]

Is the metal flaking away or is it the corrosion flaking off?
If the corrosion is coming off so is the details since many times the details remain stronger in the oxidized surface and not so much in the metal beneath it

I would have to say it is what it is at this point , just my two cents

Not the metal, Surface patina is all flaky, the surface patina is good patina though that's the problem.

 

[coinman123]

Also, I have found some coppers with the metal pealing off, one had part of the edge chip off. This coin is above those ones for sure. After finding my first 1803 in such nice condition I'm getting way too critical on these old coppers.

 

[ironhorse]

I'm not one cleaning the find for the sake of cleaning; you have to ask yourself does it "need" to be cleaned?
If you can live with it in it's present state, brush off the dirt and enjoy it

 

[Ahab8]

You can always seal it with some spray on urethane if you don't plan on getting rid of them