OMG LARGE CENT matron head.. 1820 / 1826? how do i get dirt off?

[Rare_Hunter]

Wow I am on fire! My first coin found beyond modern coins.
It’s either an 1820, 1826, or 1828 large cent! I don’t want to hurt it.
all I did so far was ran a stream of distilled water over it as I lightly brushed with a soft toothbrush..
It’s caked what would be the best approach here without killing any value?

 

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[nyiangelo]

I'm reading 1826. Don't know maybe soak in some warm water then hit it again with a soft brush. Looks good already though.

 

[Elad]

Your patina is green (the stuff under the dirt) so that means the surface of the coin, although still containing features, is very delicate. Be very careful. I would try reading some of the posts in the cleaning and preservation forum before cleaning.

Good luck and nice find.

 

[collector01]

congrats on a nice find, I wouldnt clean it any more if it was mine but you could try it wont hurt the value any more because its not worth much money wise but I would love to find it anyday.

 

[RelicRick]

I agree w/ nyiangelo...1826 is how I see it. Good job!

 

[kuger]

I ruined my first large cent with water....I would keep it away.Took all the patina and detail with it.

 

[romeo-1]

Peroxide

 

[creeper71]

Peroxide

This coin is the exact example I am speaking about when I say you need to be the judge to use peroxcide cause I'm fairly sure a bathe in peroxcide would riun this coin... but other coin it will do wonders....

 

[Golden1]

Peroxide

Right on

 

[seger98]

Nice find!

 

[20eyes]

Way to go! Even if you cant clean it much more it still a great find. I've got a way to go yet before im digging large cents lol. I was excited about my wheatie i dug the other day...

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Here is a post from a while back explaining the best method for cleaning large copper. I would monitor it very closely. If you get to the point where the actual detail starts to dissapear, you should stop.

Here is the link: http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,39135.0.html Please post a post cleaning picture, and change the title to reflect the update. We are all interested in seeing the results!

Congrats on the coin!
Neil

 

[FunWithTreasure]

I use a ultrasonic on them when they look like that. Works great.

 

[Don in SJ]

It would not matter, if the coin is bad the coin is bad, if it is decent than peroxide will not hurt it, but if bad, stop before it gets worst.

I did my 1798 in peroxide on Friday, I did not know the date until I did it and of course once cleaned, all the detail showed and it then could be identified by variety which is impossible to do if left "alone".

Don

 

[piratesgold]

1826.

It's not worth jack to anybody but the finder because of it's condition. You can't hurt it's value, unless you ruin the coin, then you can't even enjoy it. Preserve it in the way that pleases you, peroxide is risky.

Lucky

 

[John (Ma)]

Excellent looking Large cent!!! Looks like you are getting the hang of your Tejon.

 

[John987]

Congratulations! That's a beauty under there. Good luck cleaning it.
John

 

[nc-joe]

Excellent find! I agree, 1826. Warm water and a Q-tip. You are not going to reduce the value any further being the condition it is in already.

 

[hogge]

The only way to clean it is with the Peroxide Bath. Check out Don's coins and my 1787 Ct. Copper post from 2 days ago. Before and after. You're not going to hurt it.

 

[Elad]

Soooo... we are all waiting... got some cleaned pics for the masses?