First Indian Head!

[nfish91]

Found it at 4 inches. Dated 1900. Tips to clean it up?

 

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[romeo-1]

Good save!

 

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[Msbeepbeep]

Congrats! Looks like it has fairly good detail.

 

[wildthunder]

A nice long soak in some mineral oil. Use a tooth pick to clean the hard stuff don't get to crazy. I will take weeks cleaning coppers,
Don't go the fast way with peroxide , my friend wrecked a large cent that way. Just let it soak, pick at it then soak some more, these come out nice with a green patina, I have to post mine soon

 

[Ahab8]

A nice long soak in some mineral oil. Use a tooth pick to clean the hard stuff don't get to crazy. I will take weeks cleaning coppers, Don't go the fast way with peroxide , my friend wrecked a large cent that way. Just let it soak, pick at it then soak some more, these come out nice with a green patina, I have to post mine soon

wildthunder please do post some pics I would love to see how they come out with this method. Always looking for the next best thing when it comes cleaning up my finds. Thanks for posting

 

[port ewen ace]

dug this IH on nov 7 in Kingston ny from a stone parking area at 2 inches down. condition is as dug, not cleaned.

Found it at 4 inches. Dated 1900. Tips to clean it up?

 

[nfish91]

dug this IH on nov 7 in Kingston ny from a stone parking area at 2 inches down. condition is as dug, not cleaned.<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=923582"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=923583"/>

That's a sharp looking coin! Thanks for the post.

 

[diggerbutt]

Love the Indian Head. I may be wrong, just cause I'm new around this forum; however, I use diluted vinegar to clean any old pennies. I don't touch it while it is soaking in white distilled vinegar. Then, I wait about 20 minutes, and I drop about a tablespoon of salt on top of the cent. I let it sit for awhile. Lastly, I take it out to inspect, and I rinse it thoroughly with water. If you follow this method, make sure to also let it soak in lukewarm water for a few. If you rub the coin after, do so gently with a soft cloth and a tad of olive oil.

Again, I am not an expert, but I've cleaned a few Indian Head pennies. Great find! Makes me feel the tingles in my fingers.

 

[creade]

if you soak it in olive oil ,it will take some of the dirt and bring out more detail like the shield and the headband.It won't wreck the patina and kinda preserves it

 

[park pirate]

yes peroxide is good but, that heavy corroded green stuff, most times dont come off, thats what happens to copper coins...

 

[Dirt.Hound]

Sometimes I'll dip them in water and then coat them with baking soda and lightly rub them between my fingers to improve the detail and remove some surface dirt . Its not supposed to scratch the coin.

This method definitely DOES scratch the coin... not really perceptible to the naked eye, though... micro-abrasions. I wouldn't suggest this method on a valuable coin... but it does wonders for cleaning the black tarnish (silver sulfide) off of silver coins... it makes them look brand new, often. This isn't necessarily a desirable look for an old coin though... so use at your own risk.

As for the diluted vinegar method... NOOOOOOOOOOO! No vinegar or lemon juice on copper, unless you wish to completely strip the patina and leave the coin looking dull

The warm peroxide method is definitely best of the above options for cleaning copper coins, IMO. I wouldn't boil it... you should be able to put your finger in it without burning yourself. I've found that hotter peroxide darkens the coin more that you'd like sometimes. The coins may come out looking a little to dry out of the peroxide... I'll often soak it in olive oil for a short time afterward, then wash it off with dish soap/distilled water to remove the oil... it will remove the dried-out look and leave the coin with a nice dark patina.

Another great way to clean old copper coins is slowly with a toothpick or wooden skewer... without soaking it anything... dry-picking. It's time consuming, but works very usually... also leaves that nice green patina intact. Soaking it peroxide WILL darken that patina.