need help!

duck620

what can i use to clean a 1868 indian.has been in the ground for a while.clear date with green and brown junk on it.need help,thanks.

StrikeOutXXX

I'm not a big fan of cleaning any "Normal" coin. That being said, I'm also a metal detectorist, and realize there are times when the coin won't have much numismatic value left, and you just want to make your finds presentable.

You may try the Metal Detector forum on this site, there are several methods, none of which will hide the fact it was dug, or return it to the numismatic side of collectability though. For treasure clean-up though, the best results I've had with dug copper was with peroxide. Use your standard drug store peroxide, put a little (inch or so in a glass of some sort) and put it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until it starts to boil. Take it out and drop your cent in there. It will bubble like crazy for 15 minutes or so. Change the peroxide and repeat a few times with different sides facing up.

If it is corroded underneath the green, it may come out looking worse than before. Once the green and dirt is gone, you can soak it in olive or grape seed oil for a few weeks, and that's probably about the best you're going to get it.

Jeff

tightbudget

Acetone?

StampAlarm

Why not do the month(s) long soak in olive oil to loosen up the grime?



Jerry

robkool

Olive oil does wonders for those bronze & copper cents...