✅ SOLVED OMG I found an old copper. Please help :)

[Squirrel322]

So, I dug what appears to be an old copper, in Michigan. Its toasted. I am hoping for help identifying it and ALSO PLEASE if there is anything I can do to clean/preserve it. Thanks !

 

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[Squirrel322]

Possible match?

https://www.usacoinbook.com/coins/249/large-cents/braided-hair-liberty-head/1848-P/

 

[Truth]

I say large cent and I’ve been trying to find one for 4 years. Congratulations

 

[mhess22]

I don't know if anyone else does this with toasted copper to clean it up a bit but I like to take it and carry it around in my pocket a couple days. I put a couple other coins in my pocket with it and will also rub it between my fingers while walking around and what not.

Also, cool find. My bet would be large cent but could you post a picture with a modern coin near it for size?

 

[Squirrel322]

I don't know if anyone else does this with toasted copper to clean it up a bit but I like to take it and carry it around in my pocket a couple days. I put a couple other coins in my pocket with it and will also rub it between my fingers while walking around and what not.

Also, cool find. My bet would be large cent but could you post a picture with a modern coin near it for size?

I "misplaced" for a bit this morning but finally found it.

 

[Squirrel322]

I am pretty confident its a braided hair large cent. There is some visible details on the back and I can barely make out some detail on the front.

There has got to be a way to clean these. Any help would be great!

 

[DiggerKid2003]

I can see the reef on the back so definitely a large cent although I can't make out enough detail on the front to find the exact match. Hopefully someone with better eyes can chime in.

 

[HuntinDog]

Try a picture lighting it from the side.
Sometimes this will bring out better detail.
Cool find for sure..

 

[seekerGH]

wrap in aluminum foil, add baking soda to boiling water, add the wrapped coin.

(do not rub the coin)

a sonic jewelry cleaner would work wonders...check ebay for an ultrasonic pen tip cleaner... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnasonic...061735&hash=item236de258ca:g:HI8AAOSwnlFaXpn9

good luck

 

[CoilyGirl]

Congrats on that largie!

 

[Terry Soloman]

Great find, Congrats!

 

[Minamik]

I've heard of people using olive oil to clean up toasty copper, but don't take my word for it.

 

[Minamik]

Aquachigger did a video on this I think? Don't know if it helps ya.

 

[Squirrel322]

I got all "CSI" on this coin and think I have a positive ID.

First off, I was/am not at all familiar with large cent types. While I have heard their names and see photos of them, I didn't really understand the various versions were all related. So, when I found a match for the back of this coin which also had a bust (braided hair) that seemed to match the faint details on the front, I thought the case was closed. After reading about large cents and realizing how similar some were I became less convinced.

So, I decided to overlay images and see if I could match up some details. I first tried with an image of a braided hair cent. It was close but didn't quite match. So I tried an image of a matron cent and I believe it matches.

Top row shows the unaltered photo of my coin, followed by the same image with the faint details used to match up to the matron cent highlighted.
Bottom row shows the image of my coin overlaid by an image of a matron cent at 10, 30 and 100%.

Opinions?



now if I could just squeeze a date out of it

 

[smokeythecat]

After ruining coins for years, mostly junkers, I have gotten much better at NOT killing them. I bought a set of the Andre's pencils off Ebay and by mechanical cleaning, have saved a few very old coppers. I will never use chemicals again, not even a brush. I was really surprised. They are a sponsor here. They also work good on buttons.

 

[Minamik]

After ruining coins for years, mostly junkers, I have gotten much better at NOT killing them. I bought a set of the Andre's pencils off Ebay and by mechanical cleaning, have saved a few very old coppers. I will never use chemicals again, not even a brush. I was really surprised. They are a sponsor here. They also work good on buttons.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those are basically a more professional version of the toothpick cleaning method, yeah?