Nic-A-Date Question

[WheatWaffle]

I just pulled a buffalo that is dateless. Ive heard of the nic-a-date, but am not sure that I want to try it. Just wondering what your guys thoughts and opinions are with this. If any of you know of some good videos for this, if you could post them, that would be great.
Thanks, WW

 

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[BuffaloBoy]

There was a thread about nic-a-date TWO days ago. I recommend using it, it works well; however, it does leave a nasty looking stain on the coin, but what is a dateless buffalo worth? next to nothing. You have nothing to lose!

 

[boristhespider88]

There was a thread about nic-a-date about a week ago. I recommend using it, it works well; however, it does leave a nasty looking stain on the coin, but what is a dateless buffalo worth? next to nothing. You have nothing to lose!

Same.

I'd buy it if you like hunting nickels.

Give me a sec and I'll upload some pics of my coin album that I'm working on. A lot of the early ones I've pulled are dateless (pre-1920).

- DS

 

[Joe777Cool]

dude - scroll down 1/2 a page SMH

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/coin-roll-hunting/397574-nick-date.html

same post 2 days ago.

 

[boristhespider88]

Here you go. This is end result on Nic-a-Date. Pics of my coin folder I am working on (75% of these came from circulation).

View attachment 937443View attachment 937444
View attachment 937445View attachment 937446
View attachment 937447View attachment 937448

I attached inverted color pics in case some of the dates were kind of hard to see.

HH!
- DS

Also, on a side note, I would much rather see 2 threads 2 days apart about Nic-a-Date than see 2 threads 2 days apart about "hi what coins should i search", "i heard brinks culls all the silver", and "what years are silvers".

If you have any other questions/comments WheatWaffle, feel free to PM me.



EDIT: You'll have to take my word that the one in 1919 is correct, it's REALLY tough to see.

 

[Immy]

I can't recommend Nic-a-Date more highly. A 1.25 ounce bottle has lasted me years and years. Love the stuff.

A few stats:

Of the 80 buffalo nickels I've used it on, 60 turned out to be pre-1920. I've never encountered a dateless buff from the 1930s (newest = 1929)

 

[hokielegend]

I can't recommend Nic-a-Date more highly. A 1.25 ounce bottle has lasted me years and years. Love the stuff.

A few stats:

Of the 80 buffalo nickels I've used it on, 60 turned out to be pre-1920. I've never encountered a dateless buff from the 1930s (newest = 1929)

what exactly is the science behind the nic-a -date formula?
I just find it fascinating that you can bring out an image of a material that wasn't there...

 

[SilverForBrains]

what exactly is the science behind the nic-a -date formula?
I just find it fascinating that you can bring out an image of a material that wasn't there...

The date contains a higher percentage of copper than the rest of the coin as a result of the stamping process. nic-a-date is just an acid (not sure which one, I don't have the bottle) and basically it eats away the nickel faster than the copper.

what do you guys think, is nic-a-dating better with the ugly circle around the date or if the whole coin is soaked? I soak the whole coin, while it leaves no area undamaged it at least looks even

 

[BuffaloBoy]

Nic-a-date is a solution of ferric-chloride.

 

[SilverFace]

The date contains a higher percentage of copper than the rest of the coin as a result of the stamping process. nic-a-date is just an acid (not sure which one, I don't have the bottle) and basically it eats away the nickel faster than the copper.

what do you guys think, is nic-a-dating better with the ugly circle around the date or if the whole coin is soaked? I soak the whole coin, while it leaves no area undamaged it at least looks even

So u soak the whole coin in nic-a-date or vinegar? I've used vinegar to soak nickels before in the past but it leaves a very flat dull finish on the coin.

 

[boristhespider88]

So u soak the whole coin in nic-a-date or vinegar? I've used vinegar to soak nickels before in the past but it leaves a very flat dull finish on the coin.

I sometimes do the whole face of the coin if it's just really bad looking.

I usually use vinegar mixed with salt on nasty nickels.

View attachment 938084View attachment 938085

Before and after, I soaked in vinegar/salt mixture until the brown coloring faded away and it looked like a nickel, then used Nic-a-Date on the date.

Worked like a charm!

- DS

 

[SilverFace]

I sometimes do the whole face of the coin if it's just really bad looking.

I usually use vinegar mixed with salt on nasty nickels.

View attachment 938084View attachment 938085

Before and after, I soaked in vinegar/salt mixture until the brown coloring faded away and it looked like a nickel, then used Nic-a-Date on the date.

Worked like a charm!

- DS

That's impressive that it worked so well on that coin. And its interesting too because I just found a dark nd buffalo yesterday that looks a lot like the before pic of your coin. It looks like the last digit on my coin might be a 3 but I can't tell for sure. I'll probably start soaking it this wknd. So does adding the salt with the vinegar help some?

Btw, so that's a '13D T2? that's a nice find and sure worth restoring. And I just took a closer look at my coin again and I think the last digit is probably a 4 and no mint mark that I can tell.

 

[boristhespider88]

That's impressive that it worked so well on that coin. And its interesting too because I just found a dark nd buffalo yesterday that looks a lot like the before pic of your coin. It looks like the last digit on my coin might be a 3 but I can't tell for sure. I'll probably start soaking it this wknd. So does adding the salt with the vinegar help some?

Btw, so that's a '13D T2? that's a nice find and sure worth restoring. And I just took a closer look at my coin again and I think the last digit is probably a 4 and no mint mark that I can tell.

Yes, I got it from my uncle. It was like an orange brown color. I always mix salt and vinegar and it usually works well (and it seems like it speeds it up). Just check it every half hour or so, it usually takes only a couple of hours and I rinse it off, pat it dry, and then Nic-a-Date.

 

[SilverFace]

Yes, I got it from my uncle. It was like an orange brown color. I always mix salt and vinegar and it usually works well (and it seems like it speeds it up). Just check it every half hour or so, it usually takes only a couple of hours and I rinse it off, pat it dry, and then Nic-a-Date.

Wow just a couple of hours? That really does speed it up because I usually soak my coins without salt for days. No wonder my coins always have such a dull finish after I soak them lol. Thanks for the tip. Btw, probably a dumb question but I'm assuming u mean just regular iodized salt right? I only ask because I buy sea salt for myself to use at home but I think I have some of those small packets of iodized salt at home also.

 

[Joe777Cool]

So u soak the whole coin in nic-a-date or vinegar? I've used vinegar to soak nickels before in the past but it leaves a very flat dull finish on the coin.

All personal preference. I dont like the stain nicadate leaves, but vinegar will flatten out tge coin. I just think it looks more even.

 

[PennyRoll]

Here it is on Amazon:
Amazon.com: nic a date
Though I think overall you should try the vinegar/salt solution before this. But if not it's only ~10$ here for the 1.25. (Didn't check what's price but assuming it's close, and that link is above too so..)