Key Date Indian Penny!

nolanation · Apr 5, 2017

Semi Key Date Indian Penny! - Updated Pic

Found this 1876 semi key date penny. I believe it is in good shape and would clean up nice, but afraid to clean it. Any suggestions on cleaning or leave as is? Thanks!

Kurios1 · Apr 5, 2017

Hmmm? That's a good question. It does appear to have pretty good detail putting it up in the grading range making it a "potentially" higher valued coin. I would research professional grading-cleaning outfits and seek their advice. I'd hate to use my toothbrush and toothpaste method on that one and bring out some pitting. I've done that before with Indians. Nice coin. I hope someone else has your answer.

Stretch Da Truth · Apr 5, 2017

Congrats on a sweet find! :occasion14:

I don't have any cleaning help as I am still working on the best ways to clean old finds. Good luck.

vpnavy · Apr 6, 2017

Nice find! Hope it cleans up for ya.

Trezurehunter · Apr 6, 2017

I would not clean that one since its a key date. I dont think it will be worth to much because of all the environmental damage, but if it were mine I would just put it in a 2x2 cardboard holder and keep it in my collection. It was a nice coin to find, and the memories will probably be worth more to you in the long run. If you do decide to clean it, I water mine off and clean with a toothbrush, then let it dry and put it in olive oil for a week or two.

Tpmetal · Apr 6, 2017

I clean ancient coins as a side hobby because I can only find stuff so old here in the us. So the best thing for you to do is to soak it in distilled water over night. then very very gently with a soft tooth brush give it a light brushing where the dirt lies, then soak over night in new distilled water. Repeat this a few times. if anything remains then I use a microscope at 10x to 30x and some small very finely diamond dusted tools to clean without touching patina. no tools or micro scope? a loupe and a tooth pick should take care of it just as well. But I imagine that the distilled water will do most of the work for you as its not that old. Just be very very careful not to scratch the patina. some of those small corroded spots may not come clean.

trapperart · Apr 6, 2017

Congrats on the nice Indian

junkhunt · Apr 6, 2017

Tpmetal said:
I clean ancient coins as a side hobby because I can only find stuff so old here in the us. So the best thing for you to do is to soak it in distilled water over night. then very very gently with a soft tooth brush give it a light brushing where the dirt lies, then soak over night in new distilled water. Repeat this a few times. if anything remains then I use a microscope at 10x to 30x and some small very finely diamond dusted tools to clean without touching patina. no tools or micro scope? a loupe and a tooth pick should take care of it just as well. But I imagine that the distilled water will do most of the work for you as its not that old. Just be very very careful not to scratch the patina. some of those small corroded spots may not come clean.

Will you tell me what distilled water does better than just tap water?

Tpmetal · Apr 6, 2017

Because there is nothing in the distilled water but water. no chlorine or fluorine or other chemicals that can damage the coin. no minerals that could deposit on it. So the water can actually help break down the mineralized layer holding the dirt together by dissolving it kinda. edit* ps never ever use tap water to soak any relics or coins. its ok for a rinse if you dry it after but not for a soak.

NHBandit · Apr 6, 2017

Speaking from experience I have found several Indians that looked like that and in every case when I tried to remove the heavy, stuck on verdigris it left a divot in the metal and made it look worse. Sometimes even removing details. If you start picking at that you may lose some value. Your mileage may vary..

digger460 · Apr 6, 2017

Congrats on the IHC!

Tpmetal · Apr 6, 2017

NHBandit said:
Speaking from experience I have found several Indians that looked like that and in every case when I tried to remove the heavy, stuck on verdigris it left a divot in the metal and made it look worse. Sometimes even removing details. If you start picking at that you may lose some value. Your mileage may vary..

yup thats why i mentioned those corroded spots may not come off, guess i should have mentioned not to pick at them

junkhunt · Apr 6, 2017

Tpmetal said:
Because there is nothing in the distilled water but water. no chlorine or fluorine or other chemicals that can damage the coin. no minerals that could deposit on it. So the water can actually help break down the mineralized layer holding the dirt together by dissolving it kinda. edit* ps never ever use tap water to soak any relics or coins. its ok for a rinse if you dry it after but not for a soak.

Thanks for the Info. I didn't know that.

nolanation · Apr 6, 2017

I was able to clean it some with a toothpick and a microscope. It does have a minor hole, which is why I decided to clean it at all, but I'll take it! I keep all my finds anyway. Thanks for the tips!

PetesPockets55 · Apr 6, 2017

A friend give me some Wheats he dug which I soaked in hydrogen peroxide as an experiment since they were details grade anyway. Some took multiple soaks with clean peroxide each time to clean up. It worked much better than expected and was able to read dates. Some pitting was visible after the corrosion was gone, but they made for a much more presentable coin. ps. I use tape instead of staples to hold cardboard flips closed to avoid scratches on adjacent coins.

Tpmetal · Apr 6, 2017

be very very careful with peroxide, it can be used for a minute or two at a time but not for longer it's a last resort for me. i'de do a long term olive oil soak before that. but you will be surprised how well distilled water gets the junk while leaving that beautiful patina. Also good job on that coin looks better already.

ohiowhiteguy · Apr 6, 2017

i have regretted cleaning my indians..keep the green patina i use a little soap and water with a soft toothbrush is all i do anymore.
peroxide ruined two of mine ..
nice find...
HH.
OWG...

mk4125 · Apr 6, 2017

Tpmetal said:
I clean ancient coins as a side hobby because I can only find stuff so old here in the us. So the best thing for you to do is to soak it in distilled water over night. then very very gently with a soft tooth brush give it a light brushing where the dirt lies, then soak over night in new distilled water. Repeat this a few times. if anything remains then I use a microscope at 10x to 30x and some small very finely diamond dusted tools to clean without touching patina. no tools or micro scope? a loupe and a tooth pick should take care of it just as well. But I imagine that the distilled water will do most of the work for you as its not that old. Just be very very careful not to scratch the patina. some of those small corroded spots may not come clean.

Another approach is to let one of my kids swallow it and then wait a day or so...it will come out clean. Trust me on this one.