So happy today!

[Rustic]

Today I found an old coin about 5 inches down, and I'm super happy because it's definitely old, but in such bad condition that I can't figure out what it might be. It is 1 and 1/8 inches in diameter, and only the faintest shadow of a figure is visible on one side... I don't have a scale but it feels pleasantly heavy.

I was so thrilled when I found it, I feel sure it's the oldest coin I've found so far. (Before today my oldest coins were some Indian Head pennies from the 1890's.)

I don't remember what it was possessed me to buy a metal detector earlier this summer, but I'm glad I did. You all said it was addicting... it is.

 

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[CRUSADER]

Its not quite right for a 18th C British Halfpenny, but it is based on that & is 18th C. So its either one of the many different US minted coppers (1 already mentioned) or its Counterfeit.
I'll wait for the others....

 

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[Rustic]

I gently swabbed the copper this morning with warm hydrogen peroxide, which removed a bit of dirt, but didn't reveal much detail. I guess it is just too far gone to ever identify with certainty. I could barely make out an "R I" to the left of the sitting figure though, which makes me think it may be a British coin after all. I read that England sent 800,000 1749 George II halfpennies to Massachusetts as partial payment for helping out in the Lewisburg expedition, so who knows?

It's just so great to have found this little piece of local history. To imagine one of the local farmers with that coin in his pocket some 225 years ago or more, just makes my day. And I'm glad he lost it, too, lol.

Thank you all, for your thoughts and advice on it.

Here's new pics that were taken after the cleaning, and closer, and pics of the George II copper for comparison:

 

[Erik in NJ]

If it's really covered in crud and you think there is detail under it, unless you are emotionally attached to the coin, you can take a bit of risk and try two more aggressive ways to clean it:

1. Drop it in boiling peroxide swab it with a q-tip a couple times (use tweezers as the coin and peroxide will be HOT!!) and repeat as needed.

And if this doesn't work, the following method is more aggressive, but WILL remove stuck on crud from a coin:

2. Put some aluminum jelly on it for 5-10 seconds and scrub with a toothbrush (repeat as needed)--this will remove the toughest crud, but if you leave it on too long it will turn the copper a copper color which will look unnatural. Putting it back in boiling peroxide again will darken it.

I have used the aluminum jelly on some IHC that were just too encrusted to look good any other way and the aluminum jelly very quickly removed all of the encrustations. I used boiling peroxide to darken them again. There is also a product on the market called Del's Darkener. I have it here, but have not used it yet. There are other darkeners on the market too.

Make sure you hydrate and seal your coin afterwards.

If you're a patient man you can drop it in olive oil for about a year and see if that works. I'm not that patient

Perhaps you will receive some further cleaning advice here from others.

 

[CRUSADER]

I gently swabbed the copper this morning with warm hydrogen peroxide, which removed a bit of dirt, but didn't reveal much detail. I guess it is just too far gone to ever identify with certainty. I could barely make out an "R I" to the left of the sitting figure though, which makes me think it may be a British coin after all. I read that England sent 800,000 1749 George II halfpennies to Massachusetts as partial payment for helping out in the Lewisburg expedition, so who knows?

It's just so great to have found this little piece of local history. To imagine one of the local farmers with that coin in his pocket some 225 years ago or more, just makes my day. And I'm glad he lost it, too, lol.

Thank you all, for your thoughts and advice on it.

Here's new pics that were taken after the cleaning, and closer, and pics of the George II copper for comparison:

You have the Obverse up-side-down. Its a right facing bust so can't be a Geo II.

 

[Rustic]

Thanks Erik, for the more aggressive cleaning tactics. I think I will try them later to try to remove some of the crud.

 

[Erik in NJ]

You can also drop it in warm (to the touch) peroxide and leave it in there for several hours and repeat as needed. This will be slightly less aggressive than full boiling peroxide. Make sure you have fresh peroxide that bubbles a lot or it will be less effective as a cleaning agent for the coin. I use the small Pyrex dishes you can get at your local grocery store.

 

[gheenoe78]

I'd start with a soak in mineral oil and light cleaning with a toothpick before going to electrolysis. I've made a KGIII look much worse and taken away detail with electrolysis. I think it always better to start with the least abrasive cleaning methods first.

 

[Davers]

I agree with you -- I'm a newbie ya might say-- and today I got closer to my coin hopes--- I got one demon left to find-- the half dollar.. that bastage is in my sights lol-- found the barber quarter today --1907 . Anyway-- it is addictive and I hope you find everything --- I want to lol. Great find and good luck

LOL..I Have not found a Barber Quarter Yet, 'In over 15 years'

OP..Scrolling Down.
Can not wait to see exactly witch "Old Copper" you Found , Congratz.

 

[Davers]

Just my opinion but I would NOT clean it anymore Until you can Verify what coin it is.
As you can not Un-Do damage done by over cleaning .
I learned the hard way as a New Detector-est.-Filled with excitement & using EVOO - Brasso.& A whole pack of Q-tip's .
Not to mention wore my fingers to the Bone. (Almost) lol.

Would like to see , Vino, IP, Bill in Va, & the Other Early Copper Guy's Chime in.
I don't dig them that Old in these parts.
Also Could be a Counterfeit ,As Crusader Said. (That would not be a bad thing Either).

Please take it easy Cleaning , The coin should be Going No Where.

Also you show ,one does not need a $1,000 machine to find Good Stuff.

Davers

 

[Rustic]

Thanks you, Davers and everyone, for all the good advice. I've decided not to clean it anymore, to just enjoy it as is. Maybe one day I'll find something like it, but in a little better condition.

 

[baspinall]

Here is a good site for identifying coppers.

Regal British Copper Farthings

 

[park pirate]

Nice job on that old coin..

 

[baspinall]

Looks like a KG III to me

 

[Evolution]

If you can see RI on the reverse its a KGIII halfpenny. Too big to be a farthing according to your measurements. Nice find.

 

[Evolution]

I suppose it could be a William III also but the reverses are usually very weak on those so I'm guessing KGIII.

 

[CRUSADER]

If you can see RI on the reverse its a KGIII halfpenny. Too big to be a farthing according to your measurements. Nice find.

Always knew it was a Halfpenny, but being a possible Regal KGIII makes it more likely counterfeit. The reverse is pretty clear but that Obv is far from great.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Resist the urge to clean it, we've all been there. If you must, let it sit in mineral oil for a while then gently tooth pick away the crust. Mineral oil will not darken the patina as much as EVOO. Congrats on your first 1700s coin

 

[lazabert]

I have found a similar looking coin today in a hot spot when the sun was going down that resembles what you have -- i have it soaking right now-- tomorrow i will go back to the same spot --my ACE was going off the charts lool

 

[Rustic]

I have found a similar looking coin today in a hot spot when the sun was going down that resembles what you have -- i have it soaking right now-- tomorrow i will go back to the same spot --my ACE was going off the charts lool

That's great! I hope you find more when you head back there tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[sutphin]

WELCOME TO THE VERMONT CLUB . I HAVE ONE ALSO FOUND IN VA . NICE COIN FIND.