Large buckle and indian head

borntohunt460 · Mar 9, 2014

Today I went to a house I got permission at a while back. Early 1800s and hasn't been detected other than a duo that came and went within an hour about 10 years ago. Found the big buckle (any idea in age and use?), a small drawer pull, a few early wheat cents, a couple buttons, and an 1895 Indian head. Everything was very shallow except the buckle. Anyone have tips on cleaning dirt off jndian heads without harming the patina too bad?

Metdet49 · Mar 9, 2014

Nice finds borntohunt. I would just gently due some light cleaning using a wooden toothpick held flat against the coin, then maybe using a soft dry toothbrush to gently remove the loosened dirt. Then you can gently rub your fingers over the raised surfaces and the oils from your skin should bring out the natural patina. Some other folks here might have some other ideas, but that is the way I like to clean my coins: with the less is more method. HH

borntohunt460 · Mar 9, 2014

Metdet49 said:
Nice finds borntohunt. I would just gently due some light cleaning using a wooden toothpick held flat against the coin, then maybe using a soft dry toothbrush to gently remove the loosened dirt. Then you can gently rub your fingers over the raised surfaces and the oils from your skin should bring out the natural patina. Some other folks here might have some other ideas, but that is the way I like to clean my coins: with the less is more method. HH

the "less is more" is in line with what i believe lol--- is the natural patina going to be the brown copper or the dark, rich green copper? Both colors are visible now and im unsure of whats on top

Metdet49 · Mar 10, 2014

borntohunt460 said:
the "less is more" is in line with what i believe lol--- is the natural patina going to be the brown copper or the dark, rich green copper? Both colors are visible now and im unsure of whats on top

You will not likely change the color of the patina. It will stay pretty much what the dominate color is now.

g-olden years · Mar 10, 2014

Neat finds! :hello2:

I haven't dug an Indian head yet, but on my delicate items usually soft q-tips remove dirt much more gently than toothbrush. Used gently, Q-tips leave no marks and cause no damage! Like others, I use toothpicks carefully also. HAVE FUN! Andi

SilverDreams · Mar 10, 2014

Nice Indian!

CASPER-2 · Mar 10, 2014

Gemma Stone · Mar 10, 2014

Olive oil and your fingers work excellent

grasshopper · Mar 10, 2014

I've never had a ton of luck with olive oil. I find it usually leaves blotches on my coins and haven't really seen much improvement after using it. I, like others have mentioned, prefer just a dry toothbrush/toothpick...

Helix · Mar 10, 2014

If you going for that dark green patina found on ih's I found a quick warm peroxide bath for maybe a few min works well. The peroxide really loosens up the layer of dirt, then with a q-tip I very gently clean off the dirt with out pressing to hard taking off the green patina. Other methods I have found other methods like plan soap and water and scrubbing to hard and you will take the patina off and end up with a orangeish/ brown looking coin. Just don't keep it in the peroxide to long or it will end with a black IH. Everyone has there favorite degree of cleaning I myself like the dark green patina.