Indian Head Cleaning??

Hi Folks ,
A previous thread by me on a Morgan Dollar has me wondering, Can this penny be cleaned somehow? This has been in the family for 60+ years That I know of I inherited it. But its nasty looking. Was it supposed to be uncircumcised at one time? Why did it get gunk like this in the holder? because it was not air tight?
Would it be anything more than a conversation piece?
THANKS FOR ANY INFO HERE NEWBIE JUST TRYING TO LEARN. JON

 

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uncircumcised ?

 

It appears to be residue from PVC from the holder. I would give it a xylene soak to try and remove that residue. Then a rinse in distilled water. Let it air dry then place it in a new PVC free air-tite.

 

the chemicals would probably cost more than the value of a problem free low grade IHC.

 

Mary-Ann! You filthy ignorant tart. Of course that Indian is uncircumcised.

Please don't clean dirty Indian Heads. Unless you're a professional, use protection, etc.

 

The xylene is about $4 and the distilled water is about $1. Also, the coin has been in the family for 60+ years.

 

I saw that what spell checker did I just figured I would leave it. And it has got some pretty good conversation. Ha Ha
Is that the kind of holder they used back then?

 

The coin has been in the family for 60+ years? Then scrub off that patina: 60+ years of family history isn't worth a modern shine, eh? (Don't!)

IMO, it should come out of the case and be turned into jewelry. NOT SOLD on fleabay.

 

Not sold and the patina should be preserved. The xylene will help dissolve the PVC residue (if that is what it is).

 

Boy am I confused Now, LOL Should I take it out of the holder??? Or just pass it down if its not worth anything? And If I did take it out do they open or have to be broke with side cuts or something.

Back in 1950's My parents used to have a small coin collection that dad and mom and my older brothers saved Over the years they would get it out twice a year maybe and put away any new coins that were found. I had a ball looking at those old coins when I was a kid as well as I hope my grandson will. So I do not know how long its been in the family maybe my dad got it from his dad or grand dad, GD was born in 1905 GGD 1872 I think and dad 1933 or 4. I also have a large Canada cent brought over with my GGGD when he settled here in the 1880"s In the area I live Now. 1850 ???

 

It's not worth $5 with no problems being a common date in low grade. I wouldn't try to restore it, it will never look like it should.

It's really worth like 50 cents like that and not restorable. just keep it as is for sentimental value.

 

go ahead and take it out of the holder, maybe a small screwdriver into a side slot, You could even smash it out with a hammer.

The coin should look like this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1899-Indian...38?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item35c23bfc0a

and that is worth maybe $3 or so

you can't really hurt it and it's not worth buying stuff to attempt a cleaning that will fail.

 

Family memories are priceless. I cannot even fathom selling for a trifle something that a beloved elder/deceased relative held dear.

(If we're talking financial need AND something like period furniture for over four figures... different story.)

 

definetly keep it, but don't try to fix it. It is what it is....a cull.

it's things like this that turn a newbie into a collector.

The value is under $1 realistically, so I'm telling the owner not to bother trying to fix it.


Common low grade IHC's are not valuable

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1800s-1900s...28?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item3f1c4c7784

$1.40 a coin here....and surely some ags and corroded coins at the bottom of the pile......otherwise spread them out and photograph both sides.....LOL !

 

the 4 corners should have a slot where you could insert a small flathead screwdriver, pocket knife blade or similar and pop it open.

 

From the Uncle Joe Collection. He used a lot of those.



They have a notch in the corner, just pry them open.

 

ain't that what I said already ?

 

Because it is a family heirloom, it is worth getting the PVC residue off for the nominal fee in supplies I suggested. The coin is not being cleaned and preserved for worldly value.

CLEAN THE COIN.

 

Well I have to agree with most of the guys in that you can get a much nicer quality coin for a very reasonable price. However this coin seems to have alot of sentimental value to you so I would probably as mentioned above give it an nice xylene dip to remove the pvc contamination. Then as it seems to have several spots of verdigris (the green spots) I would use Verdi-Care to stop any further corrosion as well. I have found this product fantastic for conserving coins infected with verdigris and often improves the look/luster of the coin in the process. Finaly buy a Non-pvc holder such as an airtight for storage.

 

WOW! I just expanded a little with an illustration, sorry.