Is there a "Best Way" to Nick-A-Date a Buffalo Nickel?

Rollfinder78

I'm experimenting with regular Jefferson's before I really begin and have tried the following:

1. Left it on there for a good 45 seconds
2. Left it on for no more than 10
3. Took a Q-Tip and rubbed it on.

So far number 3 seems to leave the least amount of obvious "damage". Would cleaning the coin with soap and water make any difference?

DorkGirl

I don't think you can hide the fact that you used acid on the coin.

DorkGirl

And let me add, I have never thought it was a bad thing to do on dateless Buffs.

Rollfinder78

Im not trying to "hide it", just trying to figure out the best way to make it the least obvious

johnny9434

<< <i>I don't think you can hide the fact that you used acid on the coin. >>

theres no way of doing it either that i know of. i agree with becky

Baley

My best results, playing with this years ago, was to put a drop of nic a date on the date, wait a few seconds, then use a toothpick to gradually, over the next few seconds, swirl the nic a date solution from just the date to a larger and larger area, spiraling out, until it covered as much of the obverse as possible, then using a q-tip with a little nic a date on it to go over the whole obverse very quickly, then rinsing well with water

this process will result in a strengthened date, while minimizing the tell-tale oval just around the date that the first attempts produced.

the overall effect will be an acid-washed obverse with the date revealed. Some actually looked pretty acceptable, especially after trying a little deller's darkener to make the obverse appear a little more natural.

Try this and show us some before and after pictures!

OnWithTheHunt

Never have done it myself but I've sold a lot of dateless Buffalos to acid-daters. The best ones I've seen involve treating the entire coin in some kind of etching solution. A lot of them formulate their own using vinegar and other ingredients. As a result, the date and other details are raised together, giving a more uniform appearance.

joeykoins

Yea,a "nic-a date" user! Good Luck.

TwoSides2aCoin

Acid is acid. I don't think there is a best way to mix acid and coins. But I would limit the drop to the date area only and keep water nearby to rinse. Maybe add some baking soda to neutralize. Other than that, the only success is seeing a date. The failure is obvious.