Another Found in Change

[Aladdin Sane]

A co-worker came up to me today and said "Hey coin boy, whats a 1929 Indian
Head Nickel worth". Apparently he received one in change. I asked what
condition and he said it wasn't very good, had all this crud on it. Well
closer inspection revealed that the coin is in XF to AU condition. Full
horn, feathers, tail etc. Problem is the reverse is crudded over while the
obverse is nice and clean.

I suspect that someone recently lost a collection. I'm working from the
assumption that the crud is dried glue from some kind of mounting. I would
like to clean this off for my friend but don't want to use something that
will affect the coins luster. Any suggestions from the group? I'm thinking
of starting with some boiling water to see if that melts the glue away. I'm
not really willing to go with acetone, at least not yet. I know olive oil is
recommended for removal of corrosion on cents, but this isn't a chemical
reaction.

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*
/?\
/___\
-O=O-
^
AS & His Magic Hat

A conclusion is simply the place
where you decided to stop thinking.

[Mr. Jaggers]

Aladdin Sane wrote:
> A co-worker came up to me today and said "Hey coin boy, whats a 1929
> Indian Head Nickel worth". Apparently he received one in change. I
> asked what condition and he said it wasn't very good, had all this
> crud on it. Well closer inspection revealed that the coin is in XF to
> AU condition. Full horn, feathers, tail etc. Problem is the reverse
> is crudded over while the obverse is nice and clean.
>
> I suspect that someone recently lost a collection. I'm working from
> the assumption that the crud is dried glue from some kind of
> mounting. I would like to clean this off for my friend but don't want
> to use something that will affect the coins luster. Any suggestions
> from the group? I'm thinking of starting with some boiling water to
> see if that melts the glue away. I'm not really willing to go with
> acetone, at least not yet. I know olive oil is recommended for
> removal of corrosion on cents, but this isn't a chemical reaction.

It is likely that the glue has attacked the surface, and that fact will be
revealed if and when it is removed. Your plan to use boiling water may
cause the good side to oxidize. Acetone is probably your best bet, as it
will not react with the metal. Unfortunately, it can often give a coin a
washed-out appearance, as it will remove any accumulated surface oils.

James