1C Flying Eagle 1858

markinswpa

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Joined

Nov 5, 2015

Messages

7,065

Location

Pittsburgh Pa.

• Feb 17, 2020

• #21

Fantastic save, congrats and she's in great shape. I would not do anything but toothpick the back a little. Never put water on old copper unless you want to take an aged patina to a rusted look. Oil only if so crusted you pretty much have nothing to lose by soaking. Again congrats on a bucket lister for most. HH Mark

 

W

waltr

Elite Member

Joined

May 27, 2018

Messages

1,813

Location

SE Pennsylvania USA

• Feb 17, 2020

• #22

I agree- NO water or other liquids.

On older copper coins just tooth pick off the dirt. Then rub with a tiny amount of Renaissance Wax and buff.
Found this brings out the details and protects the surface.

That does look like a small letter 'P' above the eagle but searching and looking at examples none have a letter above the eagle like that.

If it is really there, seems to be from photo, you may need to have a expert look at it in person.

Great coin find.

 

Leave-No-Coins-Behind

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Joined

Dec 23, 2016

Messages

8,620

Location

Keystone State

• Feb 17, 2020

• #23

Super nice find!

 

K

kidlester

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Joined

Mar 2, 2016

Messages

1,053

Location

Bryan,Tx

• Feb 17, 2020

• #24

Rawkfist said:

Pulled this out the other day from an old farm field. I was pleasantly surprised to see it in such good shape since a lot of my old coins from this field have been really rough. It still has some dirt but that would come off with some mild cleaning but im not sure I should clean it. Any thoughts? If so how should I clean it?

Click to expand...

Unbelievable,
Congrats!
Tom

 

cellrdwellr

Elite Member

Joined

Jul 20, 2014

Messages

19,300

Location

Dirt Cellar, MA

• Feb 17, 2020

• #25

That's an awesome looking FE! Been awhile since I've seen one. Congrats!

 

CharlieT84

Elite Member

Joined

Mar 18, 2019

Messages

725

Location

Upstate New York

• Feb 18, 2020

• #26

very nice... listen to those who are saying not to clean it any further. In my experience just the toothpick method is as far as you want to go. No water as it will remove too much of the details and you won't like how it looks.
I ruined an 1825 large cent I found, also three Indian head pennies before I finally admitted - Less cleaning is better. All I need to do to remind myself is look at the before and after pictures and it is easy to see I wish I had left it alone after the toothpick stage. But I had to learn the hard way.