Vinegar Trick - Liberty Head Nickel?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by MrOrange1970, Aug 3, 2016.

  1. MrOrange1970

    MrOrange1970 Active Member

    First let me say that I think my kids instant gratification is rubbing off on me. I used vinegar with just a touch of peroxide. The water turned blue as expected and I took the coin out after a little over an hour.

    Results:
    1. A really dull and ugly coin!
    2. While I can see more of the outline of the previous number, the existing numbers have faded quite a bit.
    3. I think, it's still debatable but looks more like an 8 than anything else. Did the 3 have cent on the reverse? If not I'm inclined to go with 8.
    4. I shan't do this again! I'd agree that the coin is now quite damaged.

    Question, I have about 30 dateless Buffalo Nickels. As I wouldn't want to ever do this method again, have any of you had luck with nic-a-date on just the date area of the coin? That said, if a key date is found, is all the numismatic value destroyed by the date retrieval process?

    After Pics: Enhanced.jpg P1010644.JPG
     
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  3. David Setree Rare Coins

    David Setree Rare Coins Well-Known Member

    I would wipe the dirt off with a soft cotton cloth or even my thumb. Can't really hurt it any. Most then become visible under 16X.
     
  4. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    There are two 1883 varieties, one with CENTS, one without. The without-CENTS variety is much easier to find, especially in high grades, because so many people set them aside due to the "Racketeer Nickel" phenomenon.

    Looks like an 1883 to me, but probably not worth a lot more effort.
     
  5. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Most, but not all. Like I said, premium dates still command a small premium even if they're restored. And while I don't like the look of date-only restoration, there's a long tradition of doing just that. Yes, it works.
     
  6. Stoneman2

    Stoneman2 New Member

    The 1914-d buffalo that fills my album hole was a dateless . I'll post a pick when I get home as it doesn't look too bad
     
  7. Smojo

    Smojo dreamliner

    Didnt. Used distilled water only. The BD is still a work in progress used only baking soda & dist. water.
     
  8. Omegaraptor

    Omegaraptor Gobrecht/Longacre Enthusiast

    I've heard of semi key and key restored Buffalos worth about 10% of Good-4 value.

    About your nickel... I'd say 88. Just plug the 86 hole and call it that.
     
  9. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    That seems about in line with what I saw on eBay, but it's been a while since I've looked.
     
  10. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    I've had good success using LSD...just kidding, never did psychedelics.
     
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  11. Stoneman2

    Stoneman2 New Member

    Here is my album filler that was dateless when I got it. Not worth much but a fun project.

    [​IMG]1914-D Filler by stoneman227, on Flickr
     
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  12. Stoneman2

    Stoneman2 New Member

    The second new pic seems to show it is a 1889
     
  13. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Well there actually IS an 1882 V nickel. J-1690 P-1892
     
  14. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Yup. There's apparently even one with a reverse that looks similar to the final production design -- but there isn't an 1882 pattern with CENTS, is there?

    Oh, wait, have we even seen the reverse of this coin?
     
  15. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    The one I mentioned is the one that has the regular production rev (first rev of 1883, the no cents rev) There is no 1882 with the second 1883 v nickel rev.
     
  16. eddiespin

    eddiespin Fast Eddie

    Forget vinegar or for that matter anything acidic on copper.
     
  17. Puravida

    Puravida New Member

    I have used white vinegar and table salt to clean some "squashed pennies." Then I mildly clean them with baking soda, rinse them well and dry them with a cotton cloth. It works like a TV commercial! I do not think the value is an issue for the squashed pennies :) and they look beautiful!
     
  18. eddiespin

    eddiespin Fast Eddie

    Funny, but some people soak coins in olive oil. What are we doing, collecting coins or making salad dressings? :)
     
  19. Puravida

    Puravida New Member

    I think salad dressing might be good also especially italian salad dressing as it has vinegar and oil! ha ha ha!
     
  20. BooksB4Coins

    BooksB4Coins Newbieus Sempiterna

    A go hard or go home kind of guy? Hey, your loss.... ;)
     
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