1939P-1DO-001

[jstraw13]

I am almost positive on this one.


By the way, I know you are not supposed to clean coins, but is there a way to remove the green and black build up with out damaging the coin?

[Bob P]

It definitely is Die 1. Great find.
I would suggest removing the grime with either Goo-Gone or Acetone. Let it soak a while and carefully blot clean. By no means should you rub the coin as there are dirt particles in that gunk that will scratch your coin.

[jstraw13]

Thanks Bob. I'll give Goo Gone a shot.

[coop]

I use mineral oil on mine. I usually try to remove the crud with a little mineral oil on a soft/well used tooth brush. I usually give it the once around and blot clean. If it need a second bath, I hit the troubled areas a second time. I try to brush in many directions as possible as I turn the coin in hand. Blot with a tissue to remove the excess. But as Bob mention about the problem of build up crud, it can scratch the surface. But I only use this method to remove crud from the devices of ONLY circulated Cents. Never use this on BU/Proof Coins. It will scratch the surface. But on circulated coins it works well with very little damage to the coin. Always best to find a circulated coin that is just worth a cent and experiment on that till you get the techinique down before attemping any coins of value.

On this coin I placed clear tape on the right side to show the before and after look. It is less harsh as acid cleaners that remove some of the surface of the coin. The mineral oil is soften the debrie and using the brush in many angles you can concentrate pushing the bristles again the devices.

Again a very soft worn out brush is best as it tends to not scratch the surface. To hard and it WILL scratch the coin. Also, Don't use the Wifes toothbrush unless you like to live dangerously....

[Rhubarb]

Nice Find. Congrat's.

David

[jstraw13]

Thanks for the info, coop. I will give mineral oil a shot also. How long do you usually let the coin soak?


Thanks David!

[coop]

I usually don't let them soak as I go to work on the immediately. But they can soak. With the coin on the brush (very little a drop or two) I go to work when I see the need to clean ONE. This is not the answer to clean many. I usually use it when I find one that need some attention. I use a few drops in a medicine jar with the toothbrush ready for when I need it. Sometimes it takes a couple/three passes to remove all the crude from around the devices. But always try on a normal circulated coin several times to make sure you got it. I had a hazed proof Cent and tried it. Not a pretty sight. When I find it again I will take images so you can see what it does to BU/proof coins. Again this is just for circulated coins.
Not for proof/BU coins.

[jstraw13]

Got it only clean the BU/Proof coins not the circulated

Thanks very much for the pics and advice!

[coop]

I always look for ones that could best show what happen when you bathe a coin. The Canadian Cent is probably the best example you could find. I just taped off 1/2 and gave it a bath on the exposed half to show the before and after.

A new find is getting looked at by the experts now. More when the results are in. But you didn't hear it from me.....

[jstraw13]

Did you use that process on the 1908 Indian? If so, that one came out great!

[coop]

Yes on the 1908 Indian. I didn't take before and after photos, but it did a great job on bathing it. The coin was a nice EF anyway, but I wanted to spruce it up a little more with a removal of whatever from the devices. The coin had no luster, but just looked nice and I thought if would be a good investment. The bathing does not remove stains/spots/toning. Just what you want to get rid of, the crud around the devices. Again what out for the sand that may come from around the devices, but even that has been no real problem. Test it out on the worst circulated coin and see what you can come up with BEFORE trying it on something special. It takes a couple of minutes and I usually only do one as it for something you want to reveal around devices. Common coins, it is a waste of time but you can learn technique from.

[jstraw13]

Thanks very much, coop!

[rollmeupabe]

hey Coop, great results on your crud removal process. I have used MS70 in the past with an electric toothbrush with a very worn/soft brush. As long as you don't leave the MS70 on the coin too long and rinse and dry it after it comes out looking just like your coins.

I have found some circulated coins are so dirty you can not even clearly see the variety. Like you, I only play with circulated coins.