Massachusetts Copper

[Silvermonkey]

I was out detecting in the woods this morning and came across a solid 85-86 signal on my AT pro. The target was about five inches down underneath a big fat root. I was guessing a silver quarter, as this site has produced a number of coins from the 1930's and 1940's. After a fair amount of careful digging, out popped an old copper. There were no details visible upon initial inspection. I was able to remove some surface crud with water, and later, with a Q-tip and Vaseline when I got home. The image that began to emerge on one side matched that of a 1787 or 1788 Massachusetts Cent. At this point the only thing that I can see is the outline of the indian on the obverse. No details from the other side of the coin are visible. The coin is 30 mm in diameter, and weighs about 9.2 g.

I have never found a copper this old. Any recommendations about how to safely clean this coin to reveal more details would be greatly appreciated!

 

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[dirtlooter]

wow, no idea but would like to see a pic

 

[Greylock]

Post a photo of your find

 

[Ahab8]

If we see it we can prob give better advice on the cleaning aspect. It's very dependent on a few different factors

 

[Silvermonkey]

There are not too many details visible, but I'll post a pic tomorrow.

 

[Ahab8]

There are not too many details visible, but I'll post a pic tomorrow.

Sounds good. Don't worry bout condition. I just found one that I really had to work hard to ID. This is all I could get out if it

 

[huntsman53]

I was out detecting in the woods this morning and came across a solid 85-86 signal on my AT pro. The target was about five inches down underneath a big fat root. I was guessing a silver quarter, as this site has produced a number of coins from the 1930's and 1940's. After a fair amount of careful digging, out popped an old copper. There were no details visible upon initial inspection. I was able to remove some surface crud with water, and later, with a Q-tip and Vaseline when I got home. The image that began to emerge on one side matched that of a 1787 or 1788 Massachusetts Cent. At this point the only thing that I can see is the outline of the indian on the obverse. No details from the other side of the coin are visible. The coin is 30 mm in diameter, and weighs about 9.2 g.

I have never found a copper this old. Any recommendations about how to safely clean this coin to reveal more details would be greatly appreciated!

I would recommend the following: First, remove the vaseline from the coin which could hinder the effects of anything used to try to clean it (not sure what would be best but maybe a a bath in a warm water and dishwashing liquid solution and possibly followed by the use of Acetone). Second, if the vaseline was removed, now soak the coin in Extra Virgin Olive Oil for up to several weeks or months, turning it and checking it every few days. Third, use a green Rose Thorn to remove any dirt, grime, debris and corrosion that will come off. You could begin trying the green Rose Thorn after only a few days of the coin soaking in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil but may have to continue this process over many weeks and possibly months. Check with Vino as he has had pretty decent results with this method. I will note, that unlike many other items or tools that could be used to clean Copper Coins that can damage, scratch or gouge the Copper of a coin, a green Rose Thorn will not! Just make sure that you keep it soaked in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and re-dip the coin into the Extra Virgin Olive Oil ever so often while attempting to clean it. Once done, just lightly rinse the coin in distilled water, pat dry between the folds of a soft towel, then 2x2 it to protect it.

I have tried the Hydrogen Peroxide method and found that it will often pit a coin, change the toning or color or even remove all of the toning or color all together to reveal raw Copper. I have also tried many other methods as well and quite a few of them have the same effects or worse than Hydrogen Peroxide. However, while Extra Virgin Olive Oil will sometimes darken the toning on a coin, I have never had it damage a coin. However, as with most anything that has some acidity to it, even Extra Virgin Olive Oil can damage a coin if you forget that the coin is soaking in it and it is left in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil way too long.

By the way, congrats on a really great find!


Frank

 

[Evolution]

I love the Mass. coppers. Always wanted to find one. Still looking.... Congrats!

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Love finding coins with that green color it usually means they are old! Lately I started finding some new to me coins with the green was a weird soil chemistry thing maybe, real head scratcher, was a Canadian penny from the 1970s. Good luck on the cleanup! Franks method sounds good to me, would consider peroxide only as a last ditch attempt myself.

 

[Silvermonkey]

I took some pics of this coin, but I having trouble inserting the images...message says file size is too large. Can someone tell me how to re-size the pictures? I've never done this before.

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Hi, dawg here ... Great Mass. State copper Silver monkey man !!

 

[Silvermonkey]

Here are two pics..hopefully

 

[Ahab8]

Well first off congrats on an awesome state copper. In my personal opinion you prob should leave it as is. I think you will end up with no detail under that crust. I have made the mistake before of thinking I could do more and it rarely works out. I don't believe there's any relief to the details so trying to remove that will prob leave you with a blank. The indian side is fairly clear which leaves you with an identifiable Mass Cent that lots of people would love to have. Just my opinion and I hope others weigh in. Great coin

 

[46Wheat]

Nice digs and thanks for the pics . I agree I would probally leave it as is

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

I would recommend the following: First, remove the vaseline from the coin which could hinder the effects of anything used to try to clean it (not sure what would be best but maybe a a bath in a warm water and dishwashing liquid solution and possibly followed by the use of Acetone). Second, if the vaseline was removed, now soak the coin in Extra Virgin Olive Oil for up to several weeks or months, turning it and checking it every few days. Third, use a green Rose Thorn to remove any dirt, grime, debris and corrosion that will come off. You could begin trying the green Rose Thorn after only a few days of the coin soaking in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil but may have to continue this process over many weeks and possibly months. Check with Vino as he has had pretty decent results with this method. I will note, that unlike many other items or tools that could be used to clean Copper Coins that can damage, scratch or gouge the Copper of a coin, a green Rose Thorn will not! Just make sure that you keep it soaked in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and re-dip the coin into the Extra Virgin Olive Oil ever so often while attempting to clean it. Once done, just lightly rinse the coin in distilled water, pat dry between the folds of a soft towel, then 2x2 it to protect it.

I have tried the Hydrogen Peroxide method and found that it will often pit a coin, change the toning or color or even remove all of the toning or color all together to reveal raw Copper. I have also tried many other methods as well and quite a few of them have the same effects or worse than Hydrogen Peroxide. However, while Extra Virgin Olive Oil will sometimes darken the toning on a coin, I have never had it damage a coin. However, as with most anything that has some acidity to it, even Extra Virgin Olive Oil can damage a coin if you forget that the coin is soaking in it and it is left in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil way too long.

By the way, congrats on a really great find!

Frank

While soaking a copper in olive oil will definitely provide a nice protective coating, be warned that it will darken the coin to an unacceptable tone, at least in my opinion. I also refrain from putting water on copper coins as well. Dry cleaning methods usually work best followed by using a product such as Blue Ribbon Coin Cleaner or Renaissance Wax to prevent future oxidation.

 

[Silvermonkey]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. I'm still pretty much in shock that I found this coin in the first place....a once in a lifetime find for me. I'm leaning towards leaving it, as is, so I don't wreck it.

 

[Greylock]

Nice state copper. I would leave it if it were mine. I don't think any good will come out if you try cleaning.

 

[doninbrewster]

Nice find. I'm with them for leaving it the way it is. If you remove the crud you will probably remove the detail along with it.

Today's trivia: The first use of the word "cent" was on the Massachusetts cents and half cents of 1787. They were the only state issued coins to have a denomination. Although everyone refers to our current cent as a penny, we never made a penny in this country, only cents. It came from being 1 per"cent" of a dollar. Our first designs were in 1792 before the mint opened and included the Birch Cent, silver center cent and the same design without the silver plug. The value of these last 3 pieces starts at $250,000 in Fine condition. Hope we all find one : )

 

[Silvermonkey]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. Its greatly appreciated.