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A little coin restoration on a Large Cent

UtahCoinUtahCoin Posts: 5,365 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I've always been hesitant to do anything to a copper coin. I still have vivid memories of using Brasso on some of my Lincoln Cents when I was 9.... (admit it, some of you probably did the same thing).

I have this horrible looking 1851 Large Cent and said to myself, "What the heck, nothing to loose".

Here are the before and after pics. Conservation included an olive oil soak, ultra-sonic bath, acetone, MS-70 and lastly some Deller's Darkener.

And here's what she looks like now.


image

I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector.
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.

Comments

  • kevinstangkevinstang Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭
    Nice improvement on that one image
  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,285 ✭✭✭
    wow, that is quite the transformation.
    @ Elite CNC Routing & Woodworks on Facebook. Check out my work.
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  • ormandhormandh Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭
    What does Deller's Darkener do? Is it a retoner?
    Numismasource ebay store
  • Billet7Billet7 Posts: 4,923 ✭✭✭
    That's severely impressive! I wouldn't mind hearing the process in more detail. I've got a coin that looks similar I would like to conserve. Man, WOW that coin is much easier on the eyes!
  • OldEastsideOldEastside Posts: 4,602 ✭✭✭✭✭
    WOW

    Steve
    Promote the Hobby
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow you raised the dead... As if it wasn't for the matching marks and rim burrs anyone would be hard pressed to think it was the same coin image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • UtahCoinUtahCoin Posts: 5,365 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>What does Deller's Darkener do? Is it a retoner? >>



    Darkens copper. I think it's just Vaseline with some sulfer.
    I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector.
    Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,521 ✭✭✭✭✭
    For a raw piece to keep in your collection, it is much improved. Well done!
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Conservation included an olive oil soak, ultra-sonic bath, acetone >>



    Which one of these voodoo rituals removed all the caked on muck... Also how long was it soaked in mineral oil prior to going ultra-sonic image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • NumisOxideNumisOxide Posts: 10,997 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is impressive! What was the time frame of each treatment, how long did you soak it?
  • Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice job looks alot beter.image


    Hoard the keys.
  • Steve27Steve27 Posts: 13,275 ✭✭✭
    Amazing, do you happen to have any intermediate pictures? I'm curious how pink the MS70 made the coin before you retoned it.
    "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them." Adlai Stevenson
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,579 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good job so far!!! Surfaces look a little dry. Perhaps a little Blue Ribbon and a brushing with a camel hair brush to give it a little gloss would help.

    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

  • rheddenrhedden Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for posting this educational thread. It should help forum members spot more expensive coins (e.g. 1793 cent) that have been conserved in a similar fashion.
  • daOnlyBGdaOnlyBG Posts: 1,060 ✭✭
    Awesome! Does the ultra-sonic bath harm the service, or does it just treat the coin like acetone does?
    Successful BST transactions with: blu62vette, Shortgapbob, Dolan, valente151, cucamongacoin, ajaan

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  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Conservation included an olive oil soak, ultra-sonic bath, acetone >>



    Which one of these voodoo rituals removed all the caked on muck... Also how long was it soaked in mineral oil prior to going ultra-sonic image >>



    Yes, I'm curious as well. I'm all about leaving coins as found, but I have to admit I'm very impressed. Nice job.

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,896 ✭✭✭✭✭
    nice job restoring that image

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