I just thought I'd share my date restoration success with you guys on this buffalo nickel I found dateless in a roll.
I soaked it in white vinegar for a few months. You'll be able to tell what it is in about 2 weeks, but to get it as bold as this it will take awhile.
Very nice. I prefer to use bottled Nic-a-Date rather than soaking the whole coin...but it is fun either way. Nice find!
any other type of vinegar work? All I have in the house is red wine, raspberry, and apple cider vinegar.
I thought vinegar damages the coin? Is that not true since vinegar is acetic acid, which is a form of acid?
Yes, that is why you would not use it on a nice coin! However, on a Dateless Buffalo Nickel that damage or acid effect eats away at the softer...less dense parts of the coin and exposes the harder...more dense details, Date and Lettering that have long been lost due to wear from circulation. Once the desired result is achieved, the coin should be soaked in a soapy...warm water solution to neutralize the vinegar, then rinse and pat dry. Frank
It does, but a dateless Buffalo is basically worthless. You won't decrease the value by doing this and who knows...you might even find a key date. I usually just use this: http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/product/nic-a-date.html I think it's just phosphoric acid but if can be applied in a couple drops just to the date area and that way the whole coin doesn't get that acid look.
Camaro, The last paragraph brings up a whole new debate! Do Collectors of these restored Buffalo Nickels prefer to only have the Date restored or do they prefer to have the entire Obverse details and possibly the Reverse details restored???!!! Do the restored Date only Buffalo Nickels sell better on eBay than the ones where the entire Obverse was restored or Vice Versa??? I have seen plenty of both on eBay but it seems that the trend by many Sellers is to restore the entire Obverse details and some do both the Obverse and the Reverse. Frank
