WATCH FOB - I think ..need help cleaning this !!!!

[rockyredbaron]

Found this yesterday in a local park...its 14K gold plated over bronze.. even says that on the reverse. How can I best clean this up without harming the gold plating..

 

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[teverly]

Looks to me like the gold plating may be mostly gone.
Water and a soft toothbrush with gentle scrubbing would be my 1st choice.
Neat find....congrats!!!

 

[PBK]

Neat find! It's a watch fob, all right, and dates from around 1910-20. Similar "state seal" fobs were issued for all states, and were sold not only individually but also in sets for collectors. In addition to this shield-shaped variety, there was a series of state seal fobs having an irregular-bordered, "wax seal" appearance. Here's a New York fob of the same style as yours, and a California "wax seal" style fob.

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[Rob66]

To truly clean it you have to have patience, and give it an olive oil bath for a few weeks.

 

[John (Ma)]

Nice find

 

[ringfinder]

Myself, I wouldn't clean it. It looks great just the way it is. If you want to wash it in tap water, DON'T! Tap water has salt in it. Bad for good copper coins and fobs.

Maybe just dabbing alittle Olive Oil on it with a swab would help it some. I would not leave it in Olive oil.

Again, nice find!!

HH, Ringfinder

 

[rockyredbaron]

Anyone have any idea if this is of any value

 

[Montana Jim]

A few bucks... worth much more to someone who collects fobs from New Jersey, or who might watch to complete a set.

Check e-bay for the street value of these things - it's kinda disappointing...

If you want to sell it - don't clean it.

 

[JerV3]

Nice find,

I love old watch fobs. I consider myself near expert at cleaning items. I'm not gonna share any techniques though. To many people on here have to many diff points and views.

If you are not a expert at cleaning items. I would suggest a soft tooth brush and some mild soap. Then a olive oil bath. This way you won't ruin the item.

You can always learn and go back and clean it better in the future.

HH Jer

 

[Baggins]

Hey Rick, cool find.....Hope we can get out this weekend, will keep you posted!
Baggins

 

[rockyredbaron]

thanks to all the replies..think I will hold on to it for a while..let it soak for a week or so in olive oil then attempt one more cleaning with soft toothbrush. Hope to get out with ya Sean this weekend..be sure and let me know.

 

[piggman1]

I don't think I would clean it. It looks pretty nice the way it is.

 

[MaynardG]

I too found one of these in the same condition as yours. I was reviewing my lost treasure from 1993.
I did some research and found out they were free with a 10 cent purchase of TUXCEDO tobacco
in 1915.
Here is the ad from May, 1915. It is on page 12 of 16.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...3owtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AZ0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2484,737235

 

[PikesPeakCharlie]

Nice !!!! I found one once for the State of Colorado ,all the plate was gone on it. HH

 

[AGBlex]

amazing find

 

[4dcr]

Found this yesterday in a local park...its 14K gold plated over bronze.. even says that on the reverse. How can I best clean this up without harming the gold plating..

Electrolysis is what I would start with

HH
4dcr

 

[Hunthicks]

I've learnt the hard way, sometimes zero cleaning is the best way to go, because it seems to be easier to make something worse compared to better. That item, I'd leave as is - it's readable after all. Lately I've just been using a q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide to remove any dirt if it bothers me. As for olive oil, it does bring out the details on some coins etc, but it's going to make the item much less desirable if you ever do try to sell it.