Advice sought on this 1811 Large Cent please...
anablep
Posts: 5,139 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've had this large cent for many years. With a mintage of just a smidge over 218,000, it's a pricey coin in all grades. I estimate VF35 but I'm not well versed in large cents at all. I'd be grateful for your guess on a grade and a net grade.
My concern is with the verdigris/oxidation, especially on the reverse. What can be done to restore this coin. I've soaked it in oil for months, with marginal to no effect. Should I/can I sent it to PCGS or NGC for restoration/conservation?
Is there anything I can use on it? As a certified chemistry teacher, I have access to plenty of chemicals at various molar concentrations, but I hesitate to use anything on it. Is it even worth "saving?" Any advice or assistance would be very helpful. Thanks so much.
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
Comments
It is what it is...a VF Details coin. You have soaked it in olive oil. You can pick at the verdigris on with a rose thorn or toothpick. PCGS or NGC won't be able to conserve the coin and no sense throwing good money at a problem that can't be fixed.
Enjoy her for what she is.
You would be best just to leave it alone. It is going to be what it is, VF/XF details due to environmental damage. It is still a moderately valuable coin even with the issues.
VF 35 details is probably pretty close.
Net grade of VG 10ish, but don’t expect VG 10 price guide money for it in the market.
I don’t think either service could help restore or conserve that coin.
You might try Verdigone on the reverse if you can track it down, or maybe conjure up your own in your lab if you can get the formula.
Afterwards, or skipping right to it, you could keep it as a pocket piece with other coins, and let it wear down and hopefully past the worst of the environmental damage. You may wind up with a reasonably presentable VG or so piece. It looks like the high points have already seen some rubbing as it is.
I agree with the others. Not much you can do with it.
Thank you all for the advice and information. I'll leave it alone and use it as a pocket piece.
I'll post progress as it rubs down.
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
I wouldn't personally do anything to this coin. I do not think you'll be happy with the "pocket piece" experiment, which I tried with a few cleaned wheaties over the years, but with no success. My advice is to sell it on eBay and buy a wholesome 1811 cent in a PCGS holder with the proceeds.
I've had success getting rid of the green with a washing soda/ baking soda mixture.
Of course it doesn't restore damaged copper surface.
And as usual, don't use it on valuable coins until you try it on cheap ones. 😉
Btw, I think your 1811 looks good for the type of coin. To get that detail on a clean planchet gets pricy.
Decent VF details. The corrosion/environmental damage is what it is but obviously this really hurts the value. There are some copper experts (some who I know personally) who really know what they are doing who can probably improve the appearance of this coin but it will always have the corrosions and subsequent damage. The fact that you already did the olive oil method probably invalidated any further attempt to conserve this coin. I think they way it is now is they way it shall remain. The advice to turn this into a pocket piece is IMO strange. It is a better date and not trashed - just impaired. Lots of collectors would still pay decent money to have this as a respectable hole filler. Also, the baking soda advice... just no.
That verdigris appears to be stable so I wouldn't mess with it. Also, your coin still shows a lot of detail and a collector on a budget would love to have it for his type set. If you can't enjoy it the way it is, I would suggest putting it on eBay.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
** There are some copper experts (some who I know personally) who really know what they are doing who can probably improve the appearance of this coin **
They would likely attempt to burnish it.
I wasn’t about to offer up that suggestion, but you see it pretty regularly on better/early date raw copper.
Besides what has already been mentioned, you may want to impart some gloss to the surfaces to improve the visual appeal, and at the same time help it not to deteriorate further. Penny Wise (The EAC Club publication) gives in one of their issues some advice on what to use, and if I remember correctly two products were mentioned - Classic Coin Conditioner and Coin Care? at least one of these is essentially oil which will not harm the surfaces.