Grime removal from wheat penny?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by AirborneReams, Sep 26, 2020.

  1. AirborneReams

    AirborneReams Supporter! Supporter

    Hello all me once again!

    I have this nice piece that has a bunch of something on it, doesn’t seem gooey at all and doesn’t come off. I have tried vinegar and salt on an old beat up Indian head for practice a year or so ago and that coin got obliterated so I never even thought to attempt this again, thank god it was a junk Indian head. I heard about acetone doing some good things some times but this is NOT a penny I would want to chance anything with! Do anyone have any ideas or suggestions or should I just leave it be? I just now it would be sell a bit better without it if possible
    But if there’s nothing I can do I’m fine with that as well! Thank you in advance.
     
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  3. Robert Ransom

    Robert Ransom Well-Known Member

    Pics. may help.
     
  4. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    Agree. Pictures would help.
    Acetone would probably dissolve whatever crud is on there.
    Another, less reactive method would be to dip in distilled water.

    Keep in mind, you don't know what is under that crud. You may end up with an uglier coin than you had before.
     
  5. AirborneReams

    AirborneReams Supporter! Supporter

    Sorry I guys I missed the most important part here they are! A4C86176-EEFC-429B-82B9-C7C56A731394.jpeg
     
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  6. Penny Luster

    Penny Luster Well-Known Member

    I am no expert, but I would not try to clean it further. As you know, vinegar will take the skin off so do not even think about using it.
    Since it is a key date, I would send it to a TPG and ask them to evaluate it for conservation. They know a lot of tricks.
    That's my two cents worth..
     
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  7. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man Well-Known Member

    Considering the date, have you considered having it professionally conserved and slabbed? I think it would bring a higher price after having done so. JMHO
     
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  8. AirborneReams

    AirborneReams Supporter! Supporter

    I know of a few places local to me I can probably stop in and ask them!
     
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  9. NOS

    NOS Former Coin Hoarder

    Firstly, take a careful look at the spacing with the second "1" in the date to make sure it's not an altered 1944 cent and that you're not wasting your time. Check that the mint mark matches confirmed known die varieties as well. Second to that, investigate having the coin professionally conserved and determine if it'd be worth investing in having this done. In its present state, a reputable TPG will not grade the coin but may slab it as "details genuine" or some such.

    Does the reverse look similar to the obverse, by the way?
     
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  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Given the date and mintmark you should leave it alone. Only a professional should try to restore and preserve it. Vinegar and salt are horrible to use as cleaning agents.
     
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  11. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

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  12. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    Also, I don't know if it would be worth the cost to send it to a professional to be conserved (aka cleaned). At best, it would receive a details grade and based on just the obverse, I don't think it'd grade much higher than G-04, if that.

    What does the reverse look like?
     
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  13. Sidney Osborne

    Sidney Osborne Well-Known Member

    Lincoln's eyepatch gives him that debonair hipster look...!
     
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  14. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    It corrodes the outer layer.. What skin?
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2020
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  15. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Penny Luster

    Penny Luster Well-Known Member

    You guys are bad!
     
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  17. Searcher64

    Searcher64 Member

    If you did not pay much for it, then send it in to be graded. If real, then you will know for sure. If not, you will only lose the cost of verifying it. Trying to clean it can destroy it more. Or, they may be able to conserve it or tell you if it can be and where to send it. Good luck.
     
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  18. Sidney Osborne

    Sidney Osborne Well-Known Member

    Gotta have some skin in the game...!...the nose and lips look different...wear?
     
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  19. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    I would make one addendum to that: Perhaps try piggybacking on a LCS submission. Otherwise, the costs for joining and getting the coin graded will most likely outweigh the "value".
     
  20. AirborneReams

    AirborneReams Supporter! Supporter

    Iv
    Ive thought about it but I’m not sure if the turnaround time would be worth it, I did get it
    i looked at it under the loupe all looks good!
     
  21. AirborneReams

    AirborneReams Supporter! Supporter

    I looked with 10x and 30x everything looks fine lines and no issues that’s a good call though never even thought to look! Thank you.
     
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