So, I just decided lately that I'm going to try my hand at filling a 7070. My dad decided that since we have one lying around and it's not something that we collect, he would give me a shield nickel to get started. I believe that it was my grandmothers when she was still around and it has just sat in a coin tube since we cleaned my grandparents house out. Should I clean it up some way or no? It looks to be an 1868, but I'm not totally sure. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Mike
You should almost never clean coins. It drops the value by a good 90%. You could lightly dip it in acetone, if you wanted to, but leaving it be is best.
Believe me guys, I guess it came out wrong. As a collector of older firearms, I know what you mean about not cleaning. My only concern was that it looks like there is some corrosion on the coin.
I don't think a dip would hurt this coin - clean or preserving doesn't matter what you call it. It is so far gone I am just not sure it will help or stop it. Personally in this case I think something is worth a try.
+1. Not really going to hurt the value. If it's just going in a 7070 as a representation why not? Shine that puppy up.