So I bought a few coins from a friend the other day. You guys already seen the quarter. I also bought a 1985s proof cent and a 1892 v nickel. I only got this one because the other two I have is in G grade. Pulse from what I do see it has good possibilities to have VF grades (hoping). so I just want some direction removing all the funk that is on it. I know I know your not suppose to clean. But I paid 2.00 for it and would like to see if it is possible to increase the value of it without kill the coin itself. I know about the acetone bath. So do I start with that!? the pics really don’t show the details but the hair is has good detail and also the “Liberty” is full and strong.....
Whatever it is, it looks like it's baked into the surface. But yes, start with acetone. Whatever you do, show us the before and after results. I had something similar on an old worthless coin several years ago, I thought I would experiment with it. Without using chemicals I decided to use my environmental erosion method. I boiled the coin in distilled water for 20 minutes, then stuck it in the freezer for 20 minutes. (expansion/contraction method) I repeated the process multiple times. The gunk (or whatever it was) actually started falling off. I should have taken pictures, before and after.......never do! The surface was pitted but looked a lot better then it did. Not suggesting that you or anyone use my method. Again, it was pretty much a worthless coin to begin with. It was also a V Nickel.
That is what I suspect the surface of this coin will look like. To me, it looks like corrosion on the surface, and removing it by acetone or any other means will simply reveal the pock marks where the corrosion has eaten into the coin. ~ Chris
Looking to make a PF70 of course and sell for big bucks!! Just kidding. LEARNING!! Just hoping it not ate up from corrosion. Which it don’t! But if it is ate up it still will stay in my collection!! Under train wreck!! Lol
Just wondering if you were starting a Liberty Head set. It would be a good hole filler/starter coin for a set.
I have three include the “ Experiment“. Really I starting from the bottom. Working on my Lincoln’s and Jefferson’s. My friend has a lot!!! Of coin out of my price range and has a lot of G-VF grade barber all denominations Morgan’s peace dollar, Foreign, and notes jeeze!! He has what you guys have!!!! He is going though them to sell. I wish I have some $$.
Most collectors know that copper and bronze coins turn green when they corrode. (Sometimes a dull red) Fewer collectors realize that copper-nickel coins, like this Liberty Nickel, turn black or dark brown. That is what you have here. You have actually done a remarkable job in the removing the layer of corroded metal, but it’s still a “details” grade coin. In the future, you should keep the corrosion problem in mind with Nickel Three Cent Pieces. Nickels and copper-nickel Flying Eagle and Indian Cents from the 1856 to 1864 era.
