1902 Indian Head Cent

I just bought this coin. But, I’m not very experienced in grading these Indians. So, I was wondering what grade you all think this would bring.

 

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Xf but that spot of creeping crud needs a little attention

 

I disagree with the grade . I say AU 50+ . Yes that stain is a problem . What is it dirt or stained ??

 

It’s verdigris starting. A soak in verdicare would help it and stop the problem if you can find it

 

Is this a coin you want for your own collection or to sell or grade ? If for own collection , I highly recommend a product called Renaissance wax and polish . Used in England in Museums for years ( I don't recommend for silver ! ). I used it on my IH's and Two-Cent DUG Coins first ! So try junk LWC and IH's. It says Silver but I didn't like the outcome on coins .
Now I guess you can get it here in places like Walmart : https://www.walmart.com/ip/Renaissance-Wax-Metal-Polish-For-Vintaj-Silver-Etc-65ml-2-1-4-Ounces/773154965?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222323378118&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=74354589942900&wl4=pla-4577954134843175&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=& wl10=Walmart&wl12=773154965_10000004906&wl14=renaissance wax polish&veh=sem

 

Not sure yet. The coin is in transit to me. So, we'll see.

And, it's for my own collection. Not going to sell

 

Nice coin. I happen to collect Indian heads in that general condition range because I like the coin and the look and can find them really cheap.

I think that is AU50-55 all day though the material on the back may prevent it from straight grading.

nice one.

 

Detail-wise, I'd put it somewhere in the XF-AU range. Without seeing how much luster is left, if any, I can't be more specific. However, the crud on the back looks like corrosion to me. You should try to dissolve it off.

 

I would go with a low AU grade.

 

XF45-Au50. I am also concerned with the crud, that should be taken care of somehow, even if it makes the coin a little uglier. Preservation is number 1 to me.

 

Ren wax is used frequently on ancient coins, but it isn't really accepted by US coin collectors. I'm not positive, but you may have issues with a coin that has been waxed if submitting to a TPG or selling it since it "looks funny" compared to the as minted/circulated surfaces. Something to keep in mind before using it on something of value.

FWIW: It probably isn't an issue for conserving things like metal detector finds

Edit to add: You also have to make sure you remove every bit of corrosion. When you wax the coin, you're sealing in everything on the surface and that might lead to interesting "surprises" in the future. It's not a huge issue with ancients because coins are regular cleaned/conserved due to the nature of how the are found and/or stored for the last 1500-2000 years.

 

Here's a large cent I used it on .

 

I use just thin film and wipe off the excess . If you apply too much then yeah it will look too glossy but not in this case . I thought it did very well on Indian heads as well .

 

Beautiful coin

 

Thanks, not bad for a coin that's been sitting in the ground since the 1840's .
Also, it's true. You have to remove any loose dirt that can . If it's got Patina, leave it . Trust me, lol.

 

Looks AU, but the crud does need removal.

Me too.

 

Not worth submitting to a TPG. XF with that spot on the back.

 

Thanks. I'm not planning on submitting, it's just for my collection, so I probably wouldn't regardless of grade

 

Understood but if you can, try to get rid of the black spot on the reverse. It may leave a spot after removal if left on.

 

It appears to me that the stain on the reverse is already in the metal. It may clean well enough for your collection but I do not believe the entire stain can be cleaned away. At this point my opinion is EF. It's a keeper, good luck.