Tempted to clean

[pies]

Hi all got this coin relatively cheap and as you can see the toning is horrid. Im tempted to dip it and let it retone evenly is this a good idea or just plain stupid

[Coinery]

I personally think you've got nothing to lose, I would. However, the verd will stand out even more so on a lighter-toned coin!

It should oxidise pretty quickly in a shed!

[Red Riley]

I personally think you've got nothing to lose, I would. However, the verd will stand out even more so on a lighter-toned coin!

It should oxidise pretty quickly in a shed!

To get rid of the verdigris soak it in ammonia. This will however lighten the tone but if you're going to clean, that objection falls.

Personally, if you intend to sell it on, I would keep it as is. You won't get much for it either way.

[ski]

i would keep it as it is.

[Peckris]

Your first task is to get rid of the verdigris, which is far more of a disaster area. Two options:

1. Soak for months in olive oil (which might help a bit with the toning too?)

2. Soak overnight in a good vinegar - this WILL lighten all but the green which will have been converted into dark patches

But don't dip. It only works on silver hence its name!

[Peterkin]

i would keep it as it is.

Agree. Keep as is. The coin is honest. Note also the broken serif at the bottom of the 1 in the date. And on the obverse you can see quite clearly the "honi" on the queen's shoulder - honi of honi soit qui mal y pense i.e. "Shamed be he who thinks evil of it", which seems appropriate?

[Peckris]

i would keep it as it is.

Agree. Keep as is. The coin is honest. Note also the broken serif at the bottom of the 1 in the date. And on the obverse you can see quite clearly the "honi" on the queen's shoulder - honi of honi soit qui mal y pense i.e. "Shamed be he who thinks evil of it", which seems appropriate?

Almost! "Evil be to him who evil thinks" (Or "Shame", as you say, for a literal translation).

[1949threepence]

I'd keep it as it is. Great shame about the large blemishes both sides, but that's old coins that were in circulation a very long time, for you. Apart from that , it's actually not too bad a coin. If you try and do things to it, you risk damaging it still further.

You can say you've got an 1875H and maybe upgrade at some future point.

[Peterkin]

i would keep it as it is.

Agree. Keep as is. The coin is honest. Note also the broken serif at the bottom of the 1 in the date. And on the obverse you can see quite clearly the "honi" on the queen's shoulder - honi of honi soit qui mal y pense i.e. "Shamed be he who thinks evil of it", which seems appropriate?

Almost! "Evil be to him who evil thinks" (Or "Shame", as you say, for a literal translation).

Thanks Peckris. I preferred the use of "shame" in this instance to go with the theme of it being a shame to dip etc the coin.

[Peckris]

i would keep it as it is.

Agree. Keep as is. The coin is honest. Note also the broken serif at the bottom of the 1 in the date. And on the obverse you can see quite clearly the "honi" on the queen's shoulder - honi of honi soit qui mal y pense i.e. "Shamed be he who thinks evil of it", which seems appropriate?

Almost! "Evil be to him who evil thinks" (Or "Shame", as you say, for a literal translation).

Thanks Peckris. I preferred the use of "shame" in this instance to go with the theme of it being a shame to dip etc the coin.

Too right! Though I wonder - has anyone actually dipped a copper? Wonder what effect it would have...

[numidan]

i would keep it as it is.

Agree. Keep as is. The coin is honest. Note also the broken serif at the bottom of the 1 in the date. And on the obverse you can see quite clearly the "honi" on the queen's shoulder - honi of honi soit qui mal y pense i.e. "Shamed be he who thinks evil of it", which seems appropriate?

Almost! "Evil be to him who evil thinks" (Or "Shame", as you say, for a literal translation).

Thanks Peckris. I preferred the use of "shame" in this instance to go with the theme of it being a shame to dip etc the coin.

Too right! Though I wonder - has anyone actually dipped a copper? Wonder what effect it would have...

I usually try to clean the verdigris off copper coins using electrolysis. But there is a risk of pitting

If you want to try, do not use common salt as the electrolyte!

[Coinery]

I usually try to clean the verdigris off copper coins using electrolysis. But there is a risk of pitting

If you want to try, do not use common salt as the electrolyte!

What do you do here, is there a link, or could you explain? What happens when salt is involved?

[Peterkin]

I usually try to clean the verdigris off copper coins using electrolysis. But there is a risk of pitting

If you want to try, do not use common salt as the electrolyte!

What do you do here, is there a link, or could you explain? What happens when salt is involved?

Danger of disolving the coin! Isn't olive oil and patience the "OK" way to handle verdigris?

[Peckris]

I usually try to clean the verdigris off copper coins using electrolysis. But there is a risk of pitting

If you want to try, do not use common salt as the electrolyte!

What do you do here, is there a link, or could you explain? What happens when salt is involved?

Danger of disolving the coin! Isn't olive oil and patience the "OK" way to handle verdigris?

Yes. But if you haven't patience and the coin isn't too valuable, then a soak in good quality vinegar overnight, followed by a really good rinse, removes the green (turns it permanently into a stable and non-corrosive dark patch). Trouble is, the rest of the coin goes much paler, so don't use it on your very best!

[Coinery]

I usually try to clean the verdigris off copper coins using electrolysis. But there is a risk of pitting

If you want to try, do not use common salt as the electrolyte!

What do you do here, is there a link, or could you explain? What happens when salt is involved?

Danger of disolving the coin! Isn't olive oil and patience the "OK" way to handle verdigris?

NO! I had a C2 farthing in oil for over a year! It's still got one pea-green spot right in the middle of the reverse field that I can't 'pick' off.