Best Way to Clean this 1885 V Nickel

So obviously not harsh cleaning, but I'd like to remove the debris from the back of the coin.

Acetone followed by some Verdi-Care? or should I try and get it conserved when I send it into NGC?

I don't know if this coin will get a clean grade as it looks like the rim might have been filed down or maybe it's a rim bump at 6o'clock on the reverse.

Got a great deal on this bad boy!

What do you think the grade of this is? I'd guess wither XF-AU

 

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I'd start with acetone bath.

 

On grade, I would say XF since there is more than "slight rub" on her forehead. Then again, never knowing what the TPG's would grade it considering the "key date bump".

 

That was my first thought, too, but I see a lot more luster than I'm used to seeing on XF coins. Then again, I haven't seen that many XF V's in-hand.

 

Its a rare grade, like XF barbers. These were workhorse coins, and most survive either AU/BU or VG/G. Nice F to XF is tough in all of them. Its a very nice coin BigTee, I was just being honest on the grade how I see it.

 

nice coin/date.

Acetone only

 

I got it for VG money so I'd be happy with an XF, AU would just be a bonus!

 

Then unless you polish it, ya done good (or VG )

 

I'd probably just use verdi-care to deal with the (I presume) verdigris.

But otherwise I like the coin. Good buy!

 

I see you like to live dangerously. Buying this coin raw, on eBay, from a Portuguese seller.

I don't think there is any problem with this particular coin or seller. But in general, when it comes to better coins, eBay sellers from Spain and Portugal (among other countries) have a pretty bad reputation for selling coins that have various problems, including being fake or altered.
Buying from many such sellers is risky business, especially with counterstamped coins.

 

I've bought from this seller previously and had no issues. If the coin was to be counterfeit I'd be issued a refund.

11K feedback says he's doing something right.

 

I would just probably send it to NGC and let them try to conserve it.

 

Like I said,
I don't think there is any problem with this particular coin or seller.

Just a risky practice in general.

 

I've had great success with verdicare on these....if I can find old pics I'll post, but don't hold your breath. Nice coin, I'm still holdin' out for this date in this exact shape.

 

Agreed. I doubt either acetone or verdi-care will have much impact on the overall appearance. I would still give it an acetone bath, however, since there could be trace amounts of organic gunk around the stars and letters.

Solid coin, regardless of the discoloration spots.

 

Sadly, Doug, I bet you most people will again not listen to wonderful advice you give. I see sellers every time I go on Ebay that have thousands of feedback, 99.6% positive, and all they sell is fakes. Its simply rife throughout Ebay. If I didn't have my references I am sure I would buy tons more fakes. It seems 80% of the time on Ebay if I see something I am not familiar with but I am interested in, its a fake.

 

Very nice coin and you really don't want to do anything to damage it. I would start off with a warm/hot water bath or running warm/hot water over it to loosen any surface crud that could be loosened by a polar solvent. I would then give it a distilled/deionized water soak for a few hours and put it into an acetone kbath for a few minutes. Pat dry with a soft cotton towel or allow to air dry. That should not harm it and might do it some good. I am not sure how well dips work for nickel. Let us know what you did and how it came out. Good Luck

 

I think this might be one that's best left to the professionals.

How much would it cost to have NGC conserve the coin? I think they'd make it look much better than I could.