"had" and 1873 Indian...Im an idiot!

[93vector]

"had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

Went back to the spot where I got a bunch of silvers the past couple weeks
Got 2 silver quarters 1941 and 45
bunch of wheaties once again
Had an indian, couldnt see anything on it, so i gave it a peroxide bath...it came to life and looked pretty decent...1873
So...I decided to give it another quick bath....a little gentle rubbing with a q-tip....finish and date....GONE! I am not too happy with myself to say the least

 

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[Narthoniel]

Re: "had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

Doh! That hurts. I recently found an 1884 IH and have been afraid to clean it for just that reason. It's pretty crusty and I'm not sure what I'm gonna do with it.

I found some interesting reading just yesterday regarding metal corrosion. The article relates to boating but applies to all metals in general. It is written in layman's terms so it is easy to understand and it became clear to me after reading this why the zinc pennies disintegrate so easily. Check it out:
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/MarineCorrosion.htm

If oxygen is corrosive to metals in a liquid solution, it makes me question the use of H2O2 at all. I know many people use it with good results, but I guess the key is not over-doing it and then neutralizing the coin somehow.

I definitely need to learn more regarding cleaning methods.

-Dan

That is a great article. Thank you for including it. I have recently fried some coins and I am ashamed of it. One is an 1849 LC, and I realize now if I had done it properly, it would have recieved a rather high grade. But now it is bleak and dead, and gah! The pain! Did the same to my third Lc last week, an 1852. I have so much to learn.

Thank you all fot he discourse on cleaning. I appreciate the opportunity to draw in any knowledge you wish to spil out for my eager ears.
Anthony

 

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[atkhunter]

Re: "had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

I'm sorry to hear that. You'll find another one soon, and learn from your mistakes.

 

[hikeinmts]

Re: "had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

Was hunting an old Revolutionary War-era park in Petersburg, Va, when I was a beginner. Got a bunch of coins one night hunt. Took them home, washed them, and there was the 1877 Indian Cent looking at me. I was so new at it, that I didn't know it was the key. But, when I looked in my Red Book, I woke up the neighbors.
To clean, or not to clean. Well, was told never to clean. So, I didn't. And, over the years, I have had a vf++/xf 1877 Indian become a cull.....as the deposit left from the dirt ate that coin up. (I did wash all the dirt off the coin. But there was still some mineral/chemical deposit left on the coin. I cry everytime I go home and look at that coin.) So, we just never know for sure what to do with the darn things, or what to clean them in/not to clean them in.
Truely sorry about the coin......from one who knows the feeling.

 

[lastleg]

Re: "had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

I sure didn't know peroxide was that corrosive. Never used it and
glad I haven't. Thanks for the heads-up.

lastleg

 

[Cynangyl]

Re: "had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

ouch! lesson well learned I am sure!

 

[John987]

Re: "had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

After reading these posts, I think I'll experiment with the peroxide on dirty common date wheats before I attempt to clean anything as precious as a LC. I'm sorry to hear about your mishaps but look at it this way: you've helped others to not make the same mistake (hopefully).
John from Upstate NY

 

[nc-joe]

Re: "had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

Ouch, the IH from the 1870's are all pretty tough to find these days. Congrats on the find, but hate to hear how it ended.

 

[Gilligan]

Re: "had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

I used electrolysis on an 1802 Large cent I found once, I cleaned it alright.....too much, and ruined the value. I could kick myself. I will never do that again.

 

[kuger]

Re: "had" and 1873 Indian...I'm an idiot!

I ruined my first large cent with just water!1835,and I could read the date plain as day,got it home and ran water over it and walla!Pretty much justa disc now