What do you think?

I just recently acquired this large cent. My very first. There seems to be something that looks like rust but at first thought was dirt. Your thoughts or suggestions are always appreciated .

 

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good piece of history, low grade

 

Looks like corrosion to me.

 

Really? I think that is just built up hardened dirt.

 

Looks corroded to me, too. Wouldn't really want to see what is underneath the crusty stuff, but perhaps that will be necessary in order to prevent further deterioration.

Steve

 

Corroded. The "sand" colored stuff is like dirt. Hope you did not pay much but its a good coin to "play" with and learn some stuff.

First step. Soak in Coin Care. DO NOT put acetone on it yet as that will dry it out and remove very little.

Just saw you are a new member. You don't need to "play" with it. Soak it in olive oil for awhile.

 

Do you really have 428 messages already since just March 17, 2016? Wow, amazing! Ha, ha!

 

Corroded. Sand color is dirt. Do not put acetone on it as it will dry it out. For a start, soak it in olive oil for awhile. That will make it look better.

Now my brother from another mother: Some tough love. Look at the large cents on Ebay to get an idea what circulated cents of this type look like. Don't buy coins with dark color, pits, lumps or scratches. After the soak, post another photo and me and the guys will add more.

 

NOTE: For "ex-perts" only. This is a coin that cries out for ultrasonic treatment! Less than a minute and we're ready to tackle the corrosion.

 

One technique I've used to get the crud off is to lightly massage vasoline on the coin, then rinse with a gentle dish soap. Be very careful to let the vasoline do the work. Gentle is better. Then proceed with the olive oil soak.

I've found the vasoline helps to even out the color on coins like yours. I would not use this method with a mint state copper, but with yours, any damage is already done.

 

Your advice is good - Vasoline will do wonders on this coin. Unfortunately, it is best that collectors NEVER rub their coins with anything - even this coin, and go with the soak as a first step.

 

Nothing compared to that one kid who, not too long ago, nailed out something nutty like 126 within like 18 hours.

 

mostly thanks to this thread
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/keep-one-drop-one.274031/page-189

 

Says 13 messages for me.

OP, looks like a dug coin. Probably a little bit of cleaning was done, at least a bath.

 

Daniel Jones was talking about me

 

Oh. Yeah you do have a lot of posts.

 

Thanks everyone. I will start with the olive oil ( I love olive oil) soak. I will let it soak until someone suggests a length of time (my default 1 week). I truly appreciate your comments and suggestions. Its only 13 messages. Am truly new to the site.

 

Still soaking the large cent. Will take a look this weekend and see if there is any improvement.

 

Olive oil is a tried and true method for ancient coins, but from what I have read tends to darken the coins. It will be interesting to see what yours looks like, compared to silver, copper based coins are REALLY difficult to do much with.

 

After 2 weeks of soaking in olive oil, here's what the coin looks like. I'm a little disappointed the crud like stuff is not dirt. But nevertheless i like my coin.