Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
US Coins Forum
>
Help me identify this large cent before I go crazy
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="lordmarcovan, post: 10892338, member: 10461"]One technique I used with some of my finds like this was to cut a slit in a raw potato and leave the "crusty critter" coin in there overnight. (Actually, there's no need to cut a slit- you can just shove the coin into the side of the potato.) The starch in the potato will leach some of the corrosion off of the coin. Now, there's a chance it could also change it to a funky color, but at this point, since you're already starting from such a corroded example, there's little downside risk of further ruining it, and it might help parse out some more details to aid in identification.</p><p><br /></p><p>One thing I would NOT recommend is electrolysis. I made that mistake with my first dug large cent, which was barely identifiable by type as a 1796-1807 Draped Bust coin. I hooked it up to electrolysis in an a similar attempt to maybe date it. But I accidentally "burnt it up" in the process, leaving it a featureless slug. The metal was just not stable enough to run an electrical current through it without damaging it.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="lordmarcovan, post: 10892338, member: 10461"]One technique I used with some of my finds like this was to cut a slit in a raw potato and leave the "crusty critter" coin in there overnight. (Actually, there's no need to cut a slit- you can just shove the coin into the side of the potato.) The starch in the potato will leach some of the corrosion off of the coin. Now, there's a chance it could also change it to a funky color, but at this point, since you're already starting from such a corroded example, there's little downside risk of further ruining it, and it might help parse out some more details to aid in identification. One thing I would NOT recommend is electrolysis. I made that mistake with my first dug large cent, which was barely identifiable by type as a 1796-1807 Draped Bust coin. I hooked it up to electrolysis in an a similar attempt to maybe date it. But I accidentally "burnt it up" in the process, leaving it a featureless slug. The metal was just not stable enough to run an electrical current through it without damaging it.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
US Coins Forum
>
Help me identify this large cent before I go crazy
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...