How to get corrosion off nickel

I have a corroded 1868 shield nickel with full rims that has some major corrosion going on and I think it would benefit from some good ole' conservation. Any advice?

 

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I have not found any method to remove corrosion from nickel that does not also damage the surface of the coin. Abrasive methods work, but jack up the coin. Acid may also work, but again with the coin damage.

Since corrosion actually affects the coin's surface, it's not something that can be removed, per se. It's an actual disruption of the structure of the surface.

 

Yeah, you should consider practicing your coin doctoring/conservation on coins that have no numismatic value, not 1868 shield nickels....Mike

 

I don't know if it will work but it should'nt damage the coin any is maybe some Acetone.

 

Do you have a photo of the corrosion? Is it greyish white, greenish, or reddish? Since the coin is 75% copper and also nickel is very corrosion resistant, it might be more of a copper oxidation. If it was buried at one time in iron rich soil, it might have the reddish color of iron oxide.

Jim

 

How about electrolysis?
Seems like a simple set up

 

I use some sort of acid, such as vinegar, pickle juice, etc... BUT remember, these are acids and can damage your coin if not done correctly. Please PM me, if you would like, for more specific instructions

 

I really have no idea but one of these works good on steel...

 

It is black.
Check out this thread (http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t37145/). Now that I am looking at it, it may not have full rims, maybe just an effect of the corrosion only in the fields.

 

First of all your talking about a coin of approximately $15 or more in the worst grade. If you attempt to clean it and mess it up, your out at least $14.75 of that. Maybe a little less.
Regardless, if your unhappy with the so called corrosion, start with the simple methods and safest first. Place in warm distilled water for a few days.
If nothing, while wet rub real lightly with your fingers. Wash fingers first of course. If still pretty bad, try a real mild solution of baking soda and distilled water, again, real lightly rug with that solution and rinse with the distilled water. Some may also say Vinegar, molases, Olive Oil, tomato juice and other miscellaneous stuff in your kitchen.
If still no big help, then the Acetone might be something to try but don't forget your now purchasing something for about $5 that you may never use again and if no results, add $5 to the loss of that coin. Now in the minus value wise. With these processes you have at least stopped those reactions for now at least.
Continuing further attempts to clean off corrosion may well leave the coin with pit marks so would end up being a coin for show and tell for some kid.

 

$15?!! Okay I'm not worried anymore. I only paid $5.

 

This would be like trying to remove "carbon spots" from copper, no known way ( to me ) to do it without affecting the non affected areas. Acetone and then proper storage would prevent any increase, and that would be my recommendation for this coin.

Jim

 

I have been around coins a long time and have never found an effective way to remove corrosion without doing something to the coin. It is what it is.

 

Okay. But really $15?

 

That is about what is being asked for a G-4 coin at a coin show. Since your in Illinois, you may want to check out the many coin shows in the area. Pending where in Illinois you are, just outside Chicago there are 3 coin shows every weekend, every month. 1st Sunday is Lemont, 2nd Sunday is Countryside, 3rd Sunday is Itasca. In April there is a 4 day coin show in Rosemont. April 23rd to the 26th. Crowne Plaza Hotel.
If you go to any of them, take that coin with you and compare ones similar.

 

I just went to the one in Itasca. Sunday I am going to Lemont so we'll see.

 

I'd meet you at the Lemont one but I really don't like that one to much. However, my favorite coin book seller is there and he promised to get me a certain book so I still might go. You buy the coffee.:eat: I was at the Itasca show for several hours on the 15th. Did you notice it was about double the normal size for that show? That second room was a real surprize.
If you go to any of those shows, stop and talk to a guy that is usually in the middle and has several tables. Name of Robert Griffitts. One of the best dealers at those shows. Show him your coin and ask him about it.

 

The 15th was my first time at the show. I thought it was a good show, but size-wise I really had nothing to compare it to. I will try to find that dealer, Griffiths. What exactly do you mean by "middle"? Like when you walk in, closest to the front in the middle?

 

Ah, I know the coin book seller. Is he in the back right?

 

Not that one, the one that was in the aisle at the Itasca show. He sells books, plastic rolls, albums, etc.
As to Robert Griffiths, he is usually in the Middle of all those shows. Usually has about 3 or 4 tables full of coins. about 3 tables full of glass enclosed coins and a table with 3 ringed binders full of coins. At the Itasca show he had a few of his kids with him and the youngest daughter was selling Girl Scout cookies. I bought 2 boxes of those and ate one on the way home and that is only about 10 miles. If you go to the Countryside show a little more difficult to find him since sometimes about 100 dealers there.