Removing Corrosion from a Copper/Brass Token

[nwdetectorist]

Hi all,

Removing Corrosion from a Copper/Brass Token...

...How do I do this?

Here is what I have.
There are also attached pictures of the 1906s Barber Dime found in the same area.[attachment 122561 UnknownToken_SideA.jpg][attachment 122562 UnknownToken_SideB.jpg][attachment 122563 1906s_OBV.jpg][attachment 122564 1906s_REV.jpg]

 

[abcoin]

I clean ancient roman coins (not found with detector-bought online), many of which are encrusted with corrosion and dirt much like yours. When cleaning a coin, start with the least invasive method first- I soak the coins in distilled water, which helps to soften the crust and allow for easier removal with an old toothbrush- and, if that fails, move upward to more aggressive methods (i.e. scrubbing with brass-wire brush, soaking in olive or mineral oil, etc). Do a search on google for "cleaning roman coins". I know your token or coin probably isn't that old, but many of the same rules and methods apply. Hope this helps and HH, abcoin. Oh, and congrats on the barber! Looks to be in great shape!

 

[nwdetectorist]

n/t

 

[nwdetectorist]

Hello All, and thanks a lot for your cleaning advice.
What I did was to soak the object in hydrogen peroxide for 4 to 6 hours at a time and scrub with soft toothbrush a little bit after each soaking.
I did get carried away and use a soft brass brush one time, but that is not likely to happen again

So what is it you ask?
It is a Japanese Copper 1/2 Sen circa 1877 to 1884 and once I have some more time to really look at the detail I may be able to determine which date it is.

The many different varieties of this coin are shown about 3/4 of the way down this website page.
http://gxseries.com/numis/japantype/japantype_modern.htm

Here are my after pictures:[attachment 122927 Japanese-Copper_Half-Sen_B.jpg][attachment 122928 Japanese-Copper_Half-Sen_A.jpg]


nwdetectorist
TOO MUCH DIRT, NOT ENUFF TIME!

 

[nw1886]

I clean ancient roman coins (not found with detector-bought online), many of which are encrusted with corrosion and dirt much like yours. When cleaning a coin, start with the least invasive method first- I soak the coins in distilled water, which helps to soften the crust and allow for easier removal with an old toothbrush- and, if that fails, move upward to more aggressive methods (i.e. scrubbing with brass-wire brush, soaking in olive or mineral oil, etc). Do a search on google for "cleaning roman coins". I know your token or coin probably isn't that old, but many of the same rules and methods apply. Hope this helps and HH, abcoin. Oh, and congrats on the barber! Looks to be in great shape!

This is great advise. (I do a lot of ancient coin conservation also.) Two additional little tricks that can be used are...a soak in olive oil and a gentle popping off of encrustations with a little piece of bone or ivory. (I have a few antique toothpicks that are perfect.) Peroxide is fine for fairly modern stuff. It can work well with ancients too but some caution needs to be used as it can de-laminate a coin that has metal integrity issues.
Nice job on that coin so far! Dime is sure nice too! It is great to see someone take a wise approach to conserving (versus "cleaning") old coins. Seen a lot of "Death and Mayhem" done to our ground recovery treasures!

 

[nwdetectorist]

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[abcoin]

Wow, glad to see the restoration worked out so well... and what an unusual find! If you're interested in determining the date, all you need to do is find a table or chart of Chinese numerals. I know the coin in Japanese, but for some reason (don't ask why) the Japanese used Chinese numbers to date their coins. Also, find a list of Japanese emperors, and the symbols (their are usually two) each used on his coins. The link bellow has some good, helpful info on determining an AD (or CE) date. Also, I'd advise checking your bookstore or library for "the standard catalog of world coins, 1801-1900" and look your coin up. This is probably the best reference for varieties and their values. Congrats again, abcoin.

http://www.lioncoins.com/nippon.htm

 

[nwdetectorist]

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[nwdetectorist]

The Verdict Is In -- The Coin is a Japanese Copper 1/2 Sen from the Tenth year of the Meiji Reign which dates it at the year 1877.

[attachment 123394 Verdict_In_OBV.jpg] [attachment 123395 Verdict_In_REV.jpg]


nwdetectorist

TOO MUCH DIRT, NOT ENUFF TIME!

 

[copperking]

I have placed coins in an olive oil bath and left them for several days. It seems to soften and remove encrustments.

 

[nwdetectorist]

n/t