Is it a funeral or a resurrection?

I obtained this 1855 (slanted) 5 large cent quite some time ago. It had be color doctored by the seller. I really like the coin. Ive never encountered a colored coin so i was wondering is there anyway to restore the coin back to original status.

I understand he probably cleaned the coin then colored it to give it back a fake patina.

If the color could be removed would time or environment restore it?

Or is it pretty much toast and keep it in a flip.

 

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Olive oil for years.

 

I don't see anything wrong with it. Nice AU58-MS60.

 

You can see discoloration around the rim and edges.

 

I think it's an awesome coin!! I love the 5's font, it just really sticks out as the type of style these guys had in that era.

 

Yrs! Try soaking it in 100% virgin olive oil over and over again. You can't possibly hurt it.

Chris

 

I think coins are kinda like people, some come with storys and some don't.
Sometime I can see it on there faces, some I just have to take at face value.
All be it not perfect. I think you have and wonderful coin in accelent condition.

 

Photos can be deceiving, but I don't see the coloring either.

Give it a good soaking in xylene. It won't hurt it, and if there's something there, it's likely to remove it.

 

I really like it and will keep it either way. I always have liked the slanted 5`s.

 

Looks original to me.

 

@Insider might have some hints. I'd say give it a xylene soak and put it in olive oil for a couple of months.

 

I would suggest you leave it AS IS. Although the coin is NOT ORIGINAL, in my experience, many dealers/collectors cannot tell.

I would buy a Capitol Plastic Large Cent holder, put a Brown Uncirculated sticker on the holder and use it to trade for a graded coin in a slab.

 

If a previous owner felt the need to darken it - looks like a graduate of the Deller's School to me - you might want to consider if it's desirable to re-expose what they wanted to hide.

 

At first I saw nothing. Then, after staring at it for a while, I could make out traces of color layers. Now I see a coin that was color altered and it seems more obvious.

I would say alter it further only with great caution. Though it may deprive you of your hard-earned money, you may want to consult a professional who has dealt with colored copper before. At the very least they may know the material used for the coloration. But, if you take this route, once again use caution. Some cheaper conservators will happily take off the coating while completely ignoring the numismatic implications of doing so. I don't know much about NGC's conservation program, but they probably would be the most reliable group to send it to since they specialize in coins. They may even evaluate it, but probably again for a fee. There's always a fee.

If you don't want to seek professional advice and service, then I would say leave it as is and enjoy it in its present state. Colored or not, it is a very nice coin.

 

IMHO, NCS will not touch that coin! Neither should you UNLESS you know how to strip it to bare metal and do a better job recoloring it. It is not a coin to play with.

 

The color makes me think of Dellers as well. I has that look.

 

I agree. It needs a good holder of some type and should not be messed with.
With that said, Insider, would you give it an acetone bath before the new holder?

 

thanks ill put in in homemade plastic for the youngest.