Corrosion & Copper - Cleaning a LC

[bottlecap4u]

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Recently found a braided hair copper this past week and decided to go all in on cleaning it. Some background though as to why the section and some info which helped me in going for it. Also give some info on tools/methods. First, it was found in high sandy loamy soil, best soil I know in preserving finds like this. As to damage, pre-drop, it appears to have me had a failed nail punch, (obverse, neck area) and minor gouges over the…(reverse “CENT”). Environmental damage, though the reverse was extremely fine, there appeared to be some corrosion between the 11 o’clock and 5 o’clock areas, due to large amounts of iron having laid with it for over 150 years. Though the soil was a protectant, ferrous scaring did its thing, since most of the coin retained its fineness, I decided to go for it and attack the corrosion.
Pic 1&2- Uncleaned. Note the corrosion damage on the obverse.

 

[stetam]

I don't think it will get any better. Just wax and enjoy it. Maybe Andres pencils will help slightly

 

[bottlecap4u]

Pic 3&4- soaked in veggie oil overnight, brush and some pencil work.
Pic 4&5 - Final pics. After extensive brushing and pencil work. Total time about an hour under my tabletop magnifying lense. Of note, I did 2 more cycles veggie rubs/brushing, rinses, lightly to extract corrosion in detailed areas like the ‘Liberty’, beaded braid and star areas. As the final pics reveal, there is some pitting, obverse around 1 o’clock to 3 areas, but I was satisfied.
Pic 5 - this is a braided hair I decided to not clean, farm field find with obvious decades-worth of exposure to fertilizer, use it as spooked chip lol.

 

[bottlecap4u]

I don't think it will get any better. Just wax and enjoy it. Maybe Andres pencils will help slightly

Oops hit the post button b4 finishing, see above for entire post, including pics of final coin after cleaning.

 

[markinmichigan]

Thanks for advice on cleaning a coin I've never dug! Great work Chris, I'm taking the rest of the month off, going to give you a ring to knock on some doors.

Mark in Michigan

 

[bottlecap4u]

Thanks for advice on cleaning a coin I've never dug! Great work Chris, I'm taking the rest of the month off, going to give you a ring to knock on some doors.

Mark in Michigan

You remember John my neighbor, we all hunted together, strictly a park guy, came with me earlier this year to door knock and snagged 2 LCs in one day, his first and second. Yours is waiting to be found my friend.