Should I clean my corroded coin?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Dfrizz21, Jun 18, 2021.

  1. Dfrizz21

    Dfrizz21 New Member

    I have a coin from 1864 (large motto) that has F-EF detailing, however, the coin is heavily corroded. Wanted a little advice on whether to clean the coin or leave it as is?
     
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  3. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    Can you post a picture of both sides to see the extent of the corrosion?

    Was it a metal detected 2 Cent? Sometimes there is not much you can do about environmental damage.
     
  4. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    I totally agree . Most of mine are Green and corroded .
     
  5. Robert Ransom

    Robert Ransom Well-Known Member

    No photos, no advice. Welcome aboard The CT Train. :)
     
    Insider likes this.
  6. Dfrizz21

    Dfrizz21 New Member

    Will get them to post shortly, having some trouble uploading...
     
  7. Robert Ransom

    Robert Ransom Well-Known Member

    As I am awaiting the photos, a bird is singing, Judy, Judy, Judy.
     
    love old coins likes this.
  8. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    Not much can be done with a heavily corroded copper coin. You might get it to look a little better.
     
  9. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    If you need help, just ask . Welcome !:singing:
     
  10. Dfrizz21

    Dfrizz21 New Member

    Sorry for the delay, its a 1865 not 64.
     

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  11. charley

    charley Well-Known Member

  12. Kevin Mader

    Kevin Mader Fellow Coin Enthusiast Supporter

    Read up on coin conservation. There are plenty of tips out there to help. Use the Search tool here at CT to read up on methods to try...and to avoid. Many of those that are into Ancients have advice and techniques that really can be shockingly good. Don't rush into it: easy to foul up a good coin doing bad things to it.

    It's a process...not a race. Start out with the least aggressive method and step your way up as you need to. But enjoy the learning and be sure to post before-and-after photos if you decide to do it.
     
  13. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    I like the Olive Oil method for 2 cent pieces the most .
    Others may recommend things like Acetone or a product called Verdigris . I would try the Verdigris first personally .;)
     
  14. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Distilled water first, then Acetone if needed. After that post more pics for further information! ;)
     
    Kevin Mader likes this.
  15. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    In that condition you really can’t hurt it any more than it already is.
     
    Cheech9712 likes this.
  16. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    fretboard, posted: "Distilled water first, then Acetone if needed. After that post more pics for further information!"

    :confused: Please give us some of your further information NOW because nothing you have suggested will change anything on the coin.:yawn:
     
  17. Sidney Osborne

    Sidney Osborne Well-Known Member

    Paddyman98 knows that coin and if found in ny...you have to return it..!
     
    Douglas Ross likes this.
  18. Bayern

    Bayern Active Member

    Olive oil soaking does usually work well with copper coins and relics, although it takes time. But it is gentle, and is also what I do with such coins and relics found metal detecting.
    The green residue that is often found on copper coins that have been in the ground for an extended period of time is known as verdigris, the product that can be used to remove this encrustation is known as Verdi-care. It is apparently produced in limited batches, and is not often available. Hopefully more will be available in near future, as I would like to purchase some.
     
  19. juris klavins

    juris klavins Well-Known Member

    Find a small glass jar with a screw-on lid - fill half way with extra virgin olive oil & drop your coin in - cap the jar and let the coin 'marinate' for a long time (months or years) - check it periodically for any progress and flip it over with a toothpick.
    I've had a dozen old green IHCs & wheaties soaking like that for over a year - no discernible improvement :yack:

    605078631_PXL_20201012_0319507392.jpg.c5abaf303d748b7d3a5f68403b6bca37.jpg
     
  20. John Burgess

    John Burgess Well-Known Member

    If I were gonna try it, I'd just do what this guy is doing, slow and steady wins the race, it's been neglected for a long time and it won't turn around for a long time either, there will be nothing you can do about the pitting from the corrosion, but you can get it cleaned up without destroying it completely. other than that, you'd likely need to do the things the ancient guys sometimes do, and that involves killing it to remove encrustation, then recoloring to make it market acceptable in order to make a buck off selling it to a collector that just wants one to look at that's not all gunked up.

     
    Cheech9712 and Douglas Ross like this.
  21. Kevin Mader

    Kevin Mader Fellow Coin Enthusiast Supporter

    I was really surprised to see how effective distilled water was at conserving coins found metal detecting. I would start there and graduate up. Verdicare is great to stabilize verdigris. But lifting what can be lifted by the distilled water is always my first step.
     
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