Options
Newb Needs Advice on Buffalo Nickel
Diggum
Posts: 5
Hello, I'm new to the forum, and coins in general (though I collected coins as a child, and still have them!).
I am a metal detecting hobbyist and recently found a 1926 S buffalo nickel. Unfortunately, I scraped the back side of the coin with my digging tool (it was packed in road base material, and I honestly thought it was going to be another piece of aluminum trash). The detail on this coin is pretty amazing, so it couldn't have been in circulation long before it was lost, and I have learned that this is a rare year. So, I'm trying to figure out if I should leave it as-is (with the scratch on the back) or clean it (which should remove the scratch, but also probably some of the detail). What is recommended in this situation, in order to retain maximum value? And if cleaning is the right way to go, what is the best method for cleaning this particular coin?
Thank you! Here's a picture of the coin (I hope this works!):
1926s Buffalo Front&Rear
I am a metal detecting hobbyist and recently found a 1926 S buffalo nickel. Unfortunately, I scraped the back side of the coin with my digging tool (it was packed in road base material, and I honestly thought it was going to be another piece of aluminum trash). The detail on this coin is pretty amazing, so it couldn't have been in circulation long before it was lost, and I have learned that this is a rare year. So, I'm trying to figure out if I should leave it as-is (with the scratch on the back) or clean it (which should remove the scratch, but also probably some of the detail). What is recommended in this situation, in order to retain maximum value? And if cleaning is the right way to go, what is the best method for cleaning this particular coin?
Thank you! Here's a picture of the coin (I hope this works!):
1926s Buffalo Front&Rear
The American People have become sheep who look to the government as their shepherd; grateful for a sweater given in exchange for their wool, blissfully ignoring their frozen hind quarters. -jwb
0
Comments
If you must, an acetone or oil soak might help with the verdigris. Just don't expect a miracle.
Lance.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Well the first rule is to never clean coins.
However since you dug this up it may be an exception.
You can try soaking it in acetone for a few hours and then rinse it off and see what it looks like.
A 1926-S is a rare coin, but only valuable in higher grades. This one has already been damaged and the scratches aren't going away.
Try posting this on the Metal Detecting Forum
You will probably get some help from them.
They sell it at wizards supply.
It's not a harsh cleaner but a conservation fluid
RAD#306
Welcome aboard...Cheers, RickO
[URL=http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stash38/media/7-1_zpsp0fl9acr.jpg.html]
It really can't get any worse.
Here's how I clean them. First, I soak the coin in Aluminum Jelly. Multiple soaks and water rinses are usually required. This will remove all the crud and leave the coin a light pink color. Then, I quickly rub Nic-A-Date on the coin to remove the pink and rinse in water again. The coin will be left some shade of gray, often not a uniform gray. Any old dug nickel, other than perhaps a war nickel, will have significant porosity. There's no way to fix that environmental damage.
This is the best way I've found to clean old dug nickels. The advice you'll get elsewhere on the internet is salt and vinegar, Worchester sauce, and SOS pads or other abrasives.
Since the coin's environmental damage (and, ahem, the digger scar) seems to have devalued it to basically zero, I don't see any harm in trying to clean this baby up. I suppose there's not much of a market for as-dug buffs...
Cheers!
Thank you, everyone, for your excellent advice!
Since the coin's environmental damage (and, ahem, the digger scar) seems to have devalued it to basically zero, I don't see any harm in trying to clean this baby up. I suppose there's not much of a market for as-dug buffs...
Cheers!
I'd be willing to clean this coin for you, no guarantees regarding results though. Send me a PM if interested.
You might try letting Bayard1908 take a whack at it since he's offering.
a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
Don't mess with it. You'll only make it worse.
If you must, an acetone or oil soak might help with the verdigris. Just don't expect a miracle.
Lance.
My YouTube Channel
My YouTube Channel
Leave it alone. Anything you do at this point is likely to make it worse.
Can't get much worse.
I'd let it soak in olive oil for three or four months. The olive oil will turn a brownish green from the gunk that is slowly flaking off the coin.
Won't improve it terribly, yet might find it more to your liking- if you have the patience to wait.
peacockcoins
Steve
Cool and be sure to follow up on the progress..........curious is this a California find ?
Steve
Hi, Steve. Yes, a Korruptifornia find. I found it about a foot off of the asphalt. Amazing that this thing managed to get churned up and added to the road base, so close to the road. I'd never have guessed that I'd find a good coin, this old, in these conditions.
Thanks, all, for the welcome!
Steve
Leave it alone. Anything you do at this point is likely to make it worse.
Can't get much worse.
I'd let it soak in olive oil for three or four months. The olive oil will turn a brownish green from the gunk that is slowly flaking off the coin.
Won't improve it terribly, yet might find it more to your liking- if you have the patience to wait.
This.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore...
Sorry, I've been slammed and have not been back here for a while. I did soak the coin in acetone for a few days, but that didn't seem to do much of anything to it. Bayard, I'll be in touch soon. Out of town through this weekend.
Cheers, all!
As a numismatist, I would agree with the "leave it alone" crowd.
However, I am also a detectorist like yourself, and know that sometimes coin cleaning is a "necessary evil".
Since you're gonna have a "problem" coin no matter what, you can attempt some careful "conversation", as long as you don't make it worse/uglier.
Here's something you can try...
Attempt it with another crusty dug "junk" coin first, if you like, to get a feel for the process.
Heat up some hydrogen peroxide solution (the usual drugstore concentration of it) in a bowl in the microwave until just before boiling point, then plunk the coin in.
Let it fizz for a while with one side up, then flip it over so the other side can fizz a bit.
Be careful not to scald yourself.
I've found the hot peroxide treatment has an effect similar to electrolysis, with seemingly less risk of "burning up" the coin.
Still, the "when in doubt, don't do it/less is more" rule applies. Proceed cautiously with any coin cleaning.
BTW, nice find- sharp detail and a better date!
There is a Metal Detecting Forum here on these boards, too.