How to date slick indian head cents

[moff347]

So I've got 5 almost slick Indian head cents. On 4 of them you can just make out the first two digits of the date "18". I am curious if anyone knows of a way to bring out the other two digits. Thanks

 

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[jeff of pa]

I don't, but if any are obviously Extra Thick they would most likely be "Fatties"
which were 1859-to 1864 I believe

 

[cudamark]

If they're that slick, it probably wouldn't be worth the trouble, unless you could prove it 100%. You could have a 99% certain 1877 and it wouldn't be worth anything.

 

[Asassyn]

if you check the back and it has a S, its 1908 or 1909. other than that you could try to get a thin piece of paper. or transfer paper and a pencil.. see if you can get a rub off of it.

 

[huntsman53]

If using an acids such as Nick-A-Date, Lemon Juice or Vinegar & Salt, I would think that a Bronze Indian Heat Cent (later 1864-1909) with a composition of .950 Copper and .050 Tin and Zinc unlike the earlier Copper-Nickel Indian Head Cents (.880 Copper and .120 Nickel) and Buffalo Nickels (.750 Copper and .250 Nickel) would be more susceptible to rapid corrosion of the surfaces (fields and details/lettering) which would rapidly eat away at the heavier Copper composition and distort any details and or date. This happens to Buffalo Nickels when trying to restore a Date or Mint Mark but to a slower and lesser extent which can quickly be stopped by a quick dip in Acetone then a fresh water rinse. You could try this with the Bronze Indian Cents but due care must be taken to not allow the corrosive action of the acids to eat to fast into the surface or Details/Date of the coins before quickly diluting it.


Frank

 

[jerseyben]

This MIGHT work:

Rub your finger on the greasy part of your brow or nose.

Then lightly rub your finger across the date of the coin. Then try holding it in different types of light at different angles. The oil might bring out the date/details a bit.