So I got this for cheap off the Bid Board and when I got it home noticed it is A bit bent. Easier to see at 3-6 o'clock on the reverse. It is so thin is there any chance to "hammer" it back flat or some how fix it or is it pretty much better left alone?
I don’t think you have to worry about hurting it much in that condition... don’t “hammer” it but I’d put it between two soft cloths and flatten it with something. I did that with a bent three cent silver once to make it sit right in a Dansco... got the job done. Side note- man, just think of what that coin might have been present for.
It happened a lot to half dimes and 3c silvers, since they were such thin little coins. I dug an 1854 half dime with my metal detector once, which was bent nearly double. I was worried about breaking it when I tried to straighten it, but after some careful work, I was able to straighten it it to about where yours is now, though it has a permanent crease mark (and an old hole) in it. Still was a fun find. The ones I have successfully straightened were done with well-placed hammer taps, with the coin placed between layers of padding for shock absorption. For the padding, thin pieces of wood or thick pieces of leather would do. I would imagine even cardboard or cloth with some thickness would do as well. Just put the coin inside the padding and on top of a firm, level, flat surface, and tap it gently with the hammer, periodically checking on your progress as you go. Your best case scenario here is probably just a matter of making the bend less distracting. The coin is always going to be a minor "problem" coin, most likely, but it is not that bad, and yes, I think with some careful work, the tricks I just posted might work to straighten it a little.
I have an acquaintance that uses 2 straps of leather and a vice to straighten slightly bent coins. I've used a rubber mallet and a towel a couple times with mixed results.
Leather and a vice work really well. It's a safe way to not create more damage to the coin. A small press is good as well but you have to be careful to not over do it.
I have a wristwatch press that might work! Thanks for the suggestions, I figured you all would have good ideas!
I don't have a vise, so I didn't even think about that. Yes, if you have one, that's gotta be better than hammering, given the proper padding to protect the coin.
I'm not a metallurgist, but maybe a light heating of the metal would help. Not like a torch, but maybe warm it in an oven?
interesting idea, but I would avoid heating. Oven temps aren't going to do anything. You would have to get closer to the melting point and even then, you would have to apply some pressure. As others have said, A bench vise and 2 pieces of leather (old belt) should work with the least chance of causing additional damage
I have a number of vises (vices?). All the foregoing sounds like good advice to me. I also have straightened a few coins in such fashion.
