Colonial Copper

[Whitetail]

Found this copper today about 8" deep. My question is ....I cannot see any detail on this coin. I do not know if it is just too crusted over or if it is just too far gone. I'd like to try and do something to see if there is any detail left? Any suggestions on what to try. I didn't want to just try "something" and ruin an already bad coin.
Thanks for any help you might provide.

 

[michael NY]

congradulations on the find.

 

[bootyhoundpa]

You could soak it in olive oil a few weeks and see if loosens up ..might sound crazy but I’ve cleaned a few in that condition with hydrochloric acid.. I dip a small acid brush into the acid and brush those few drop of acid back and forth till the crust dissolves. Often the coin will turn grayish white after a few minutes,at this point if there is any detail left you will see it..as long as you don’t take it down to bare copper there is a chance to see detail..after that I rinse it off ,don’t rub it , after that I soak it in olive oil just to slow the corrosion, if I found any detail on it I then let it sit down in my somewhat damp basement a few weeks or months and then tumble it with quarters and water so only the higher portions of the coin will lighten up an give it some contrast.. at this point you gotta check it often to make sure only the high points are bright and the lower areas stay dark... after that a quick rinse followed by a coating of paste wax... there probably are better ways but this works for me and I only due it on coppers that appear worthless anyway... at your own risk...

 

[brianc577]

There is potential in that coin for some detail I've soaked them in olive oil them for years and slowly they come out

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Howdy Whitetail--

Congratulations on digging your LC! Bootyhoundpa gave you a very detailed method of bringing your find back to life. I've never heard that one before. It might be worth a try? Please let us know with before and after pics if you do it? Best of luck and...

Happy Hunting!
Blind Squirrel

 

[metalseeker]

Great job finding it.

 

[Mark kus]

It's hard to tell on that one it's a copper though congrats! I have quite a few in that shape to.
Mark

 

[kschae4]

Nice find there. In addition to Bootyhoundpa's informative reply above, even a drop or two of olive oil lightly applied along with how you're angling-holding the coin under natural sunlight (may need a jeweler's loop) may help identify whose reign the coin was minted under (what direction either KG I, II, III is facing) . Here's one historical source to help id your coin.....: https://coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinIntros/Br-Copper.intro.html
HH