Found a (Cap?) Large Cent Today - Help make out the date?

[Shakakka]

Hey all,

Found this large cent deep under an old tree at a 1600's house, Eastern Long Island.

So far I've run some warm water over it, and let it dry out before taking these photos. It probably needs more dirt cleaned off but I'm terrified to touch it.

Any ideas on a date/variety, or if that's really a cap there behind the head? And is that last number (directly in line under the throat) a 3?

Thanks in advance:

 

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[BTV Digger]

Draped Bust Large Cent (1796 to 1807). Nice score! If it was me I wouldn't put any more water on it. Let it dry and use a toothpick to gently take off some of the remaining crud. Then buff with a soft dry cloth.

John

 

[Shakakka]

I agree - it's gotta be a draped bust. I can see the hair ties in the back that V off in two directions.

Gonna dry it out, like you said. It's my oldest coin for sure, and hopefully I get a date that breaks me into the 1700's.

 

[dirtdigginfool]

Great save! It appears there are some nice details hiding behind the dirt...hope to see some updated pics soon! Ddf

 

[Argentium]

I don't see a date , but no doubt as to it being a Draped Bust large cent - great find !

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on the old copper

 

[Mr. Digger]

Congrats on the draped bust. You'll get a date off that. Many opinions on on cleaning but here is my 2 cents. First off, I wouldn't run it under water. I never get my coppers wet. Get a package of those sharp wooden kabob skewers they sell at the super market. They come in many sizes....easier to use than a tooth pick. Hit the dirty areas but rubbing VERY lightly with the pointy end in VERY small circular motions. Basically you are just trying to loosen the dirt that is caked on to the outside of the coin without flaking away the details of the coin itself that are on that outer crust. I actually look at a large picture of a non-dug coin while I'm doing it so I know exactly the areas to hit to bring out the detail. When you're done hit it with some Renaissance Wax to seal it up. Some people swear by the peroxide bath method but I have never been able to make that work. Post some after pics! Again, congrats.

 

[Shakakka]

Thanks for the cleaning advice everyone, I'll post pics when it's cleaned (and hopefully dated!)

 

[tanz 82]

I use kabob skewers as well .when the dirt starts to come off just blow it off then if the coin is yours forever use the peroxide bath , get a microwave safe bowl put enough peroxide in it to submerge the coin nuke it for 45 seconds then drop the coin in the peroxide you'll see the rest of the dirt boil off

 

[Tpmetal]

ahhh careful using anything but skewers and maybe a distilled water soak over night between scrapings. any other method can damage coins.

 

[VTColonialDigger]

That is a very nice large cent! Looks like the date on it looks like it ends in an 8. Great Find!

 

[DownNDirty]

Looks like 3 to me too, so possibly an 1803 date. Excellent find, and as others have said if you carefully clean it with a toothpick (dry) it should turn out nice. I think you will be surprised at how much detail is there. Congrats-that's a very nice find

 

[Shakakka]

Okay, I used a skewer and was very careful. Looks like an 1802!

The back has a bit more green/toasted look than the front, which I'm thankful for.

 

[Rubka888]

Nice coin! Great detail on it as well. That wasn't dropped long after 1802.

 

[Ahab8]

Congrats on the draped bust. You'll get a date off that. Many opinions on on cleaning but here is my 2 cents. First off, I wouldn't run it under water. I never get my coppers wet. Get a package of those sharp wooden kabob skewers they sell at the super market. They come in many sizes....easier to use than a tooth pick. Hit the dirty areas but rubbing VERY lightly with the pointy end in VERY small circular motions. Basically you are just trying to loosen the dirt that is caked on to the outside of the coin without flaking away the details of the coin itself that are on that outer crust. I actually look at a large picture of a non-dug coin while I'm doing it so I know exactly the areas to hit to bring out the detail. When you're done hit it with some Renaissance Wax to seal it up. Some people swear by the peroxide bath method but I have never been able to make that work. Post some after pics! Again, congrats.

Mr Digger I've had some luck with hp but it's always very dependent on the coins condition under the crud. About a year ago I started putting the coins in cold hp instead of warming it. It's a much gentler process. I've had to leave coins in for several days before but like the results way more that the warm hp.
To the op congrats on a new oldest. I hope there's a 17 date on that coin. Sounds like a great site with early potential

 

[Ahab8]

Okay, I used a skewer and was very careful. Looks like an 1802!

The back has a bit more green/toasted look than the front, which I'm thankful for.

View attachment 1466496View attachment 1466497

Great job with that coin my friend

 

[Shakakka]

By the way, here's all the junk you have to dig in order to find that coin.

 

[Kurios1]

Oh yeah. Now that is nice. Well done and take good care of that "old" lady.