1858 Flying Eagle (Small Letters)

This seems to be one of the nicest coins in my fathers Indian Head penny collection. I thought it might be AU, am I wrong?

 

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You better do something about the PVC on that coin or its going to take it over....but the D and T M on the front and above the E on the back....other than that I would say F/VF
Nice coin!!!

Speedy

 

should I do the acetone, distilled water bath? This coin looks amazingly worse enlarged .. blah

 

The coin looks Vf.

 

Wait till someone else also tells you its PVC...I think I'm right but want to make sure....if it is then yes...Acetone...

Speedy

 

Thank you all very much. Just wondering, when working with acetone on these coins, how long should you leave them in the acetone? over night?

 

Me personaly would soak in mineral spirits!then apply a small amount of silicone based oil (Gun oil), I use acetone on silver, not copper.Works for me!.As you see, everyone does differant, you'l have to just try what you think is best.nice coin in VFine!

 

I would leave them for about 1-2 min at first and poor the water over them....if it doesn't come off leave it for a bit longer...I don't think you will need to leave them overnight.

Speedy

 

make sure you use 100% pure acetone, and not diluted nail polish remover.

 

As a Pharmacist, you got me. What is Mineral Spirits exactly? Is that glacial alcohol?

Ruben

 

I've never heard of ethanol, or any other kind of alcohol referred to as glacial. I was under the impression that only acetic acid was referred to glacial since around 16°C or so it forms ice crystal layers that look like a glacier.

Mineral spirits are a hydrocarbon based solvent I believe.

 

glacial means waterless. Its not easy to get pure alcohol or acetone or acetic acid because the water bonds to the second liquid in such a way where it can not be just distilled off.

Ruben

 

Thanks for clarifying.

 

F/VF, Cleaned, Corroded/PVC

The light spots are caused from an encrustation of dirt which were on the coin for many years and then removed AKA cleaned.

The breastfeathers and wing are way too worn to go AU. There is unattractive and uneven toning on the obverse as well as verde gris and/or active PVC on both sides.

My advice would be to dip in pure acetone, and rinse with distilled water to deactivate the PVC to prevent further damage.

It's also a decent candidate for numismatic conservation (dipping). The mint lustre is worn off so it's unlikely it will lower the grade. In it's current state, it's not worth getting slabbed until at least the PVC and verde gris is removed.

 

These are the results of using pure acetone and rinsing in distilled water. Does this seem to make a difference to your eyes from earlier?

 

I'd consider going after the coin with some pure acetone and a medical type q-tip, as I'm pretty sure that wouldn't leave hairlines, but I'm not sure.

 

There definitely is an improvement in eye appeal. The PVC appears to be gone, but there are still a few spots of verde gris.

I would try soaking it in acetone for a little while longer and then use an extremely soft natural hair brush like camelhair which has never been used and very gently rub the green spotted areas. Make sure the coin is still soaking in acetone while this is being done.

Do not use paper towels on the coin. This will cause hairlines. Once you soak it in acetone, do not put it under the faucet to wash it off. Instead put the coin in a bowl of distilled water and let it soak for a few mins, then grab the coin by it's edges and place it on a clean towel (not paper) and let it air dry. Do not rub!

A mineral oil soak can help to release stubborn crud and it won't darken coins like olive, canola, vegetable or peanut oil will. Make sure to do an acetone bath after an oil bath.

Don't use a q-tip, it will cause hairlines.

 

Yep--they will....along with papertowles and Kleene-x...they will all leave hairlines...

I think you are going to have to leave it in there longer....looks like its been there for sometime and might take longer than I thought to get it off....I've heard of using a toothpick to take it off but I don't think I would suggest that.

Speedy

 

I have said before, When I get a bunch of circulate indians, i clean them in mineral spirits ( a type of mild paint thinner) at your hardware store. I use a medium bristle brush (cammel hair)and lightly clean the coins, It lossens the surface dirt and does not harm the patina at all!then apply silicone base oil (Museums use it also), the coin looks great!! I just restored 2 for a co-worker yesterday, and he was impressed!.acetone evaperates to quick!, and doesnt get the old dirt and such out!, it only does a semi clean job,Ive been restoring antiques for over 30 years from dug relics, old guns,old bottles, ect.......acetone also leaves the poors of the copper open! and a dull look and speeds-up the corrotion prosses.Also, when you use the brush, do a stabbing action and turn, not a scrubbing action If any of you have a dirty indian, send it to me and Ill send it back and you will see!!:thumb: