To clean or not to clean and how?

[hoser]

In 2016 our town did a main street and sidewalk tear up. I was out there every evening after the work crews left. I made a lot of great finds, and some artifact finds that were pretty cool and those now reside at the local museum. One coin stood out to me as being in rather good shape for a dug coin. Turned out to be a 1918 D Buffalo. The detail on the coin is in really nice shape compared to the other buffalos I have found where the date alone was wiped off the coin. This one looks nice, but it is black in color. My question is leave it alone or clean it to where it looks like a normal nickel. This is a key date coin so I want to preserve it's value.

 

[pescadore]

I would not clean it. Cleaning will devalue it if you ever wanted to sell.

 

[ohmygato]

DO NOT CLEAN. It's not super rare, but cleaning will only devalue it.

 

[rcornell]

And... it looks great as is!

 

[HungryGhost]

Agree leave it as is. Nice find!

 

[MasonDixonMding]

You found it so what ever you like. I like the dug look.

 

[airbornebob]

 

[markinmichigan]

Pink Floyd (the wall)

Teacher leave that buff alone!

Mark in Michigan

 

[Jamflicker]

SOS pads work great on old nickels. It won't scratch it and will remove the crud. There's not value to that coin being dug so if you wanna clean it go for it.

 

[markinswpa]

In 2016 our town did a main street and sidewalk tear up. I was out there every evening after the work crews left. I made a lot of great finds, and some artifact finds that were pretty cool and those now reside at the local museum. One coin stood out to me as being in rather good shape for a dug coin. Turned out to be a 1918 D Buffalo. The detail on the coin is in really nice shape compared to the other buffalos I have found where the date alone was wiped off the coin. This one looks nice, but it is black in color. My question is leave it alone or clean it to where it looks like a normal nickel. This is a key date coin so I want to preserve it's value.View attachment 609212View attachment 609213

One that is that crisp with detail, I would just put it in a coin holder or sleeve. I like the dug look. In 2019 I dug a 1920 Buff in about the same condition. I put it in a bezel and still wear it around my neck when I hunt. However over the years I have noticed some of the detail has deteriorated. Nice save.

 

[spence]

In 2016 our town did a main street and sidewalk tear up. I was out there every evening after the work crews left. I made a lot of great finds, and some artifact finds that were pretty cool and those now reside at the local museum. One coin stood out to me as being in rather good shape for a dug coin. Turned out to be a 1918 D Buffalo. The detail on the coin is in really nice shape compared to the other buffalos I have found where the date alone was wiped off the coin. This one looks nice, but it is black in color. My question is leave it alone or clean it to where it looks like a normal nickel. This is a key date coin so I want to preserve it's value.View attachment 609212View attachment 609213

You can see the details w out cleaning . It's gorgeous. I have a feeling you will do a pro job at cleaning so I say you won't loose either way.

 

[mntnflyr4fun]

i use my sonic cleaner I bought primarily for reloading, spiffs things right up.... Be careful when choosing what to clean, some items it will be a huge value deduct.

 

[lokito]

Beautifull coin . I would not clean it anymore.

 

[Cherry Picker]

I agree with most of the others. Amazing condition, and looks great as it is. Do not clean.

 

[Mad Dog]

I would not even try and clean it. If you are worried about value it can hurt it. That coin is more appealing to a collector in its current state than one that has been cleaned, and possibly more details lost in process.

 

[metaladdict]

You could spray paint it chrome.

 

[Kansashunter]

I don't clean even if they are of no value. Congrats on the old coin!

 

[Cherry Picker]

Here are some buffalow nickles I used electrolisist on. Nothing of value, but a bit better for display. Most were red and not very pleasent to look at.

 

[~Alan~]

DO NOT CLEAN. It's not super rare, but cleaning will only devalue it.

I agree. If a coin or artefact has any value and you are thinking of selling it, don't clean it.

 

[Jelly_936]

At the end of the day it’s your coin but man what a beauty! I’m team let it be here too.

Great find!