Nicadate Buffalo Album

I know there's at least one TPG that will slab acid-dated Buffaloes (details, of course). And restored key dates still trade at a premium to common dates, just like details key dates in any other series.

 

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The Inspector’s specimens were put into a vinegar and hydrogen peroxide solution. I prefer this over the acid drop over the date or mm. The coin will be etched all over but I prefer the even etch over the localized etching.

 

Again, you don't even need the peroxide if you're willing to be a bit patient (soak for a few hours or days).

 

Can you give any suggestions as to the solution formula?

 

Thanks for the input. I’m almost a 99% collector. I almost never buy a coin with resale in mind. To me the fact I have something unique is of more “value” to me.

I liken using Nicadate to scratch off lottery tickets.

 

Welcome to CT.

 

Cool idea. For some reason I thought of hobo nickels looking at those nickels.

 

And here I thought I had a “unique” idea.

 

That's a great analogy - it's cheap entertainment. Except that a "losing" Buffalo nickel is probably still worth at least what you paid for it! And it's harder to spend yourself into financial trouble on dateless Buffs...

 

Yes Inspector. Here’s what I’ve learned with the white vinegar/hydrogen peroxide mix.

50/50 - results are fast but a more coarse etch. When using this, you need to be watching your coin. It could be etched in just a few minutes.

70/30 - This is what I’ve used most often. Etching takes longer but a smoother finish. I tend to reuse this solution so as it weakens, the etching takes longer but gets smoother.

Used solution or straight vinegar give the better finish but takes longer. I also etching vertically to reduce the chance for a trapped bubble.

in the end it’s destructive but fun to find out what is passing through our fingers.

 

Not a new idea but a fun one for hobbyists. Have fun!

 

People in my area buy Buffalo Nickels and turn them into jewelry.

 

I am trying it. I am using 40 Volume Peroxide. Could that be a problem?

 

Ordinary peroxide is 10 volume (3%); you're using 12%. To match the results others are seeing, you should use a quarter as much, and dilute it with three volumes of water.

 

I think that should be fine. The first couple of nickels will need to be watched closer but as it is used more, the dip may take an hour or more. But higher quality finish.

 

Here are some restored dates from my first attempts. I had tried some commercial product on the 1891 but could not get a date. The Vinegar and Peroxide process brought out the date.

 

How long did you soak them?

 

The two Liberty Nickels took a few minutes. The Buffalo took about twenty minutes. But, I pulled it and rinsed it one time.

 

I had not thought of this, but this sounds fun and affordable. I like the chemistry experiment aspect of it. Would other acids besides vinegar (acetic acid) work?

 

Probably.

I'd avoid hydrochloric acid; the chloride ions in combination with oxygen from the air can attack metal too aggressively.

I'd also avoid nitric acid, unless very dilute, as it's a strong oxidizer as well. (It'll straight-up attack copper, whereas non-oxidizing acids won't.)

Sulfuric acid? Not sure; it's got some oxidizing power, too. Again, I'd go with a very dilute solution.

Phosphoric acid? No idea.

I'd experiment if I had any, but I'm completely without mineral acids right now; my last bottles of hydrochloric and sulfuric both weren't quite vapor-tight, and made lots of trouble on their metal shelves, which leaves me reluctant to get more. And I haven't had any nitric or phosphoric since I had to clean up my adolescent chemistry-set mess.