Cleaning buffalo nickels

[HungryGhost]

I found a YouTube video on cleaning buffalo nickels and thought I’d give it a try. I did two buffaloes and a V nickel. Interesting results.

Here’s the video

 

[longbow62]

Personally I don't like the look of heavily cleaned coins. It makes them look pitted to me. I just don't do it. I think there is a fine line on whether or not to clean if you do like the look. You can lose details on worn or heavily corroded coins. I'm not sure what adding the two ingredients that are both acids is supposed to do? No more peroxide than was added does not seem like it would do much at all. It did not even say what strength peroxide. They are both acidic. Why freeze the vinegar unless it makes it more acid. The vinegar would way over power the peroxide. Makes no sense to me. I would not use on V's or Shield nickels if you can see details like the date. By the time your done the date may be gone.

 

[HungryGhost]

Personally I don't like the look of heavily cleaned coins. It makes them look pitted to me. I just don't do it. I think there is a fine line on whether or not to clean if you do like the look. You can lose details on worn or heavily corroded coins. I'm not sure what adding the two ingredients that are both acids is supposed to do? No more peroxide than was added does not seem like it would do much at all. It did not even say what strength peroxide. They are both acidic. Why freeze the vinegar unless it makes it more acid. The vinegar would way over power the peroxide. Makes no sense to me. I would not use on V's or Shield nickels if you can see details like the date. By the time your done the date may be gone.

Agreed. I gave it a shot but don’t plan on doing it again, the finish came out too rough. Just an experiment I thought I’d share.

 

[longbow62]

I just accept the good with the bad. Inland sandy soil is the best for nickels and pennies of whatever type. Acidic clay is the worst. I have both types near me. Sometimes the pennies and nickels are great and out of the clay they are many times horrible. I have an unbelievable V nickel that came out of sandy soil, and several emerald green IHP's including my avatar thumbnail photo that's probably my best one.

 

[CountyWorker]

At least now you can see first hand how bad it looks.

Also, good job of photo posting OP. I don’t know why nearly everyone attaches files instead of placing photos in the body of their post.

 

[Xxray]

If you have patience, soaking them in olive oil for a month or 3 followed with a warm soapy toothbrush cleaning eliminates about as much gunk as possible without chemically damaging the coin. Another method is the tater treatment, just stick them in a potato for a couple of days, removes an amazing amount of gunk but you risk tinting it orange.

 

[bottlecap4u]

tried the process after seeing the video some months back, for me, Nah! Came out like ghost Indians and a bit chalky sure you can see the date better but not worth it for me.

 

[hoser]

SSSOOOOO my belt sander trick won't fly here either right.

 

[bottlecap4u]

Here's a pic of my ghosties after trying the process some time back...

 

[diggin4clad]

Toasted nickels are always toasted nickels.....