Colonial Coin spill

[GKMan]

If it isn't Colonial, it is from at least a very early part of American history. They were spread out about a 5 foot area around 8 or so inches deep. Interestingly I found no square nails or other evidence of a structure although I know there was one in the area. Last fall I had discovered a Connecticut copper right in the same area while passing through, that coin was most likely part of this spill.

And a mercury snuck in there nearby...

 

[trojdor]

Big congrats there, GKMan!

mike

 

[rsarge1]

way to go that is an awesome start to the year

 

[Dighistory]

Wow GKman. What an awesome hunt.

 

[ML]

Now that's a spill. How the heck did that Merc get in there? Congrats

 

[GKMan]

I found the dime and a wheat cent nearby. They were not within the spill.

 

[prankster2u]

Congrats on the Awesome finds. Looks like you hit an excellent spot.

 

[sube]

Your making me jealous Gary , got to get off the computer do some detecting but it's raining mud holes sube

 

[GKMan]

I'm sorry Sube. It was crisp and cool here this morning with lots of sunshine... You need to move to a state with older coins and nicer weather..

 

[sube]

Yea I here you maybe just retire but then there's this one small problem work no money no detecting sube

 

[martygene]

hey GK Man ... how (or do) you clean those old coppers? do you clean them with some soap and water to get the loose dirt off? and if so, what then?
thanks

 

[GKMan]

hey GK Man ... how (or do) you clean those old coppers? do you clean them with some soap and water to get the loose dirt off? and if so, what then?
thanks

Hi Marty
I usually use plain water to start off with while brushing them gently with a toothbrush. Each coin is different and there are so many methods to clean coins it is hard to say which one is the best. In the past I have tried the following methods beyond water

Hot peroxide which did wonders on some coins - but they can turn out darker.
Olive oil - not impressed
Toothpicks - OK
Electrolysis - Another interesting method I have had good results with

I haven't tried freezing the coin to lift encrusted material off the surface or ultrasonic.

With some of these coins so far gone I don't have anything to lose so I will probably try a low voltage electrolysis to see if I can get anything off of them. In the past I have been amazed a handful of times by the detail I was able to reveal using this method.

I know this one guy that has access to all sorts of strange chemicals that he has used on some old coins,and the results have been amazing. Although, purists would not be happy with the patina being removed even if you are able to learn more about the coin by performing such cleanings