This is my second coin I've ever found, and I'm relatively new to metal detecting. The first was a copper way to worn to get a date. I would like tips on the safest way to clean this quarter without effecting its value. I read using a toothpick works which is how I got the date but I wasn't comfortable doing it this way or if it was safe. Any tips would be very useful thanks for reading!
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1820 "Bust Quarter" need tips for cleaning
- Thread starter Sviera91
- Start date
bootyhoundpa
Well-known member
The picture sure makes that coin look like copper?? just saying....great age ..congrats.
Midwest-Th'er
Member
Looks to be an 1820 Large Cent. Still Awesome find! I've never found one here in the Midwest.Congratulations! As a coin collector I use Olive Oil on old Coppers & a 100% Cotton shirt/rag etc.Its not a cure all but it helps without damaging the coin.Rinse with Distilled water afterwards & let air dry. GL & HH! You've obviously found a good spot so keep the finds coming!
Midwest-Th'er
Member
Its tough sometimes to identify coins when they've been in the ground so long and become discolored/tarnished etc.The tell on your coin is this: Large Cent = Plain edge.Bust Quarter = Reeded Edge.
Compare the edge of a modern Quarter to that of a modern Penny in your pocket and you'll see what I mean..
Compare the edge of a modern Quarter to that of a modern Penny in your pocket and you'll see what I mean..
Stever0812
Member
Silver coins do not turn that green and corroded when in the ground. You have a 1820 large cent which is still awesome! I would be happy to have gotten a date off it. If you choose to try and reveal more details (at your own risk of damaging it) you can try a regular olive oil bath for 3-4 weeks. Then use multiple q-tips and softly brush off the green until you get your desired look. I got good details on an 1851 large cent with this method. You will be the one enjoying this coin, so only do what you want to enjoy it.
E-Trac-Ohio
Well-known member
Looks like a Large Cent to me - congrats !
Once you start cleaning a coin there's no going back - the damage is done !
You might want to go online and read about soaking old copper coins in "Virgin Olive Oil".
Many say (myself included) this is the safest way to clean the old copper's - but it can take a long time - from a few weeks to several months.
Good Luck !
Once you start cleaning a coin there's no going back - the damage is done !
You might want to go online and read about soaking old copper coins in "Virgin Olive Oil".
Many say (myself included) this is the safest way to clean the old copper's - but it can take a long time - from a few weeks to several months.
Good Luck !
I got an 1820 Large Cent at a coin auction on Saturday. It shows the same hair curl in the same
place above the 2 in the date. I found a large corroded token several weeks ago. The corrosion
wouldn't come off, so I carried it around for a week or two in my pocket with a few dozen current
coins. The token looks much better now. That might work for your large cent too. I've never
heard of that method on any of the forums but it worked well for me. Make sure you check if
often for possible damage.
Mark
place above the 2 in the date. I found a large corroded token several weeks ago. The corrosion
wouldn't come off, so I carried it around for a week or two in my pocket with a few dozen current
coins. The token looks much better now. That might work for your large cent too. I've never
heard of that method on any of the forums but it worked well for me. Make sure you check if
often for possible damage.
Mark
Before cleaning a coin, if you can make out what it is or the date, check to see if it is a rare coin or key date. If it is either, stop. Don't clean it. Next, decide whether you want to risk damaging it. If yes, continue. Any type of cleaning, especially with an abrasive, will damage the value of a coin, but with many dug coins, we just want to clean it up as much as possible to look nice.
Gentlest: Soak in distilled water or olive oil. Gently brush with a nylon brush every week or so. Heavy corrosion can takes weeks or a year or more. Not for the impatient, and also not really necessary unless you're hoping to prominently display your coin at some point. Some museums have racks of artifacts that have been soaking for years.
Quicker Methods: I find vinegar, lemon juice, etc, too be too destructive, and you have to be quite careful. Same with mechanical cleaning, like wire brushes or using a rock tumbler. You get off the gunk, but often at the expensive of damaging the coin and removing details (or in the case of one very badly corroded large cent I found, ending up with a blank metal slug.)
The best method I have found for copper/bronze coins in general is a hot peroxide bath. I use this especially on crusty Indian Heads and it works beautifully in general. It may (or may not) strip off the patina or turn your coin dark, but it usually leaves you with a gunk-free, detailed coin, with a much lower risk of damage.
My version:
1.) Heat up a couple of ounces of peroxide in the microwave for a minute (boiling)
2.) Put coin in a small container (an empty yogurt cup works well) on edge, leaning against the side; this way, the bubbles don't get trapped beneath the coin as they would if it were lying flat.
3.) Pour in the peroxide and watch it bubble. After it stops -- 3-5 minutes, maybe more -- fish the coin out.
4.) Put a bit of baking soda on the surface of the coin and gently rub with your fingers until the gunk comes off. There should be just enough liquid to make the baking soda into a paste -- add a few drops of water if that's not that case, as you don't want dry powder.
5.) Repeat with another peroxide bath if necessary.
Finally, after drying the coin, I like to put a coating on mineral oil on them, both to stop future corrosion, and to enhance detail somewhat. Put a drop on each side of the coin, work it in to the details with your fingers, and then wipe dry with a soft cotton towel. The coin should feel dry to the touch.
Gentlest: Soak in distilled water or olive oil. Gently brush with a nylon brush every week or so. Heavy corrosion can takes weeks or a year or more. Not for the impatient, and also not really necessary unless you're hoping to prominently display your coin at some point. Some museums have racks of artifacts that have been soaking for years.
Quicker Methods: I find vinegar, lemon juice, etc, too be too destructive, and you have to be quite careful. Same with mechanical cleaning, like wire brushes or using a rock tumbler. You get off the gunk, but often at the expensive of damaging the coin and removing details (or in the case of one very badly corroded large cent I found, ending up with a blank metal slug.)
The best method I have found for copper/bronze coins in general is a hot peroxide bath. I use this especially on crusty Indian Heads and it works beautifully in general. It may (or may not) strip off the patina or turn your coin dark, but it usually leaves you with a gunk-free, detailed coin, with a much lower risk of damage.
My version:
1.) Heat up a couple of ounces of peroxide in the microwave for a minute (boiling)
2.) Put coin in a small container (an empty yogurt cup works well) on edge, leaning against the side; this way, the bubbles don't get trapped beneath the coin as they would if it were lying flat.
3.) Pour in the peroxide and watch it bubble. After it stops -- 3-5 minutes, maybe more -- fish the coin out.
4.) Put a bit of baking soda on the surface of the coin and gently rub with your fingers until the gunk comes off. There should be just enough liquid to make the baking soda into a paste -- add a few drops of water if that's not that case, as you don't want dry powder.
5.) Repeat with another peroxide bath if necessary.
Finally, after drying the coin, I like to put a coating on mineral oil on them, both to stop future corrosion, and to enhance detail somewhat. Put a drop on each side of the coin, work it in to the details with your fingers, and then wipe dry with a soft cotton towel. The coin should feel dry to the touch.