i have a 1909 lincon head penny and its a rare with the initials VDB on the back bottom, i am not sure how much it is worth exactly but i really need to know how to clean it anyone got any ideas?
2007-11-10 14:06:03 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
You should not clean your coins. Most coin collectors see cleaning a coin as the equivalent of stripping down antique furniture and refinishing it.
When cleaning, the surface metal of the coin is often stripped. Anything used to scrub the coin will leave scratches (even 100% pure silk will leave hairline scratches). Most cleaning products will have some type of reaction with the coin's metal and the surface metal can also be removed in this manner.
Your best bet is to leave the coins alone. Cleaning the coin will leave traces - which can be found by the knowledgeable collector - who in turn will not buy the cleaned coin. Also if you ever wanted to send your coin into a grading company, they can recognize signs of cleaning and will send your coin back in a "cleaned" slab (also called a "body bag" in the coin world) - which is usually a greatly decreased value.
If you absolutely must must must clean your coins do not use the method described above as it will react with the metal in your coin. Use 100% acetone (do not use fingernail polish remover!). It must be 100% pure because other additives will react with the coin metal. Place your coin(s) in the solution for several minutes (do not leave in for long periods of time). Rinse your coin(s) in distilled water. Next remove your coins and either pat dry with a soft cloth or allow the coin to air dry (air drying is better as you don't risk scratching the coin with the cloth). NEVER scrub your coins!
I would still advise you to leave your coins as they are. They may not be bright and shiny but that is what most collectors prefer.
2007-11-11 05:26:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The people here that said do not clean it are right. The others have no idea about the value of coins. The 1909 VDB is really not rare it is the 1909-S VDB that is. Even so it is an old historic coin and should be treated with respect. Leave it alone. The 1909 VDB is valued at $8-$10 in circulated grades uncleaned. If cleaned about a $1. As more collectors start collecting the value of you coin will go up, so just put it in to a safty flip and put it away for now.
2007-11-11 09:53:57 · answer #2 · answered by Taiping 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Value Of 1909 Indian Head Penny
2016-10-30 22:26:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think twice before cleaning them. If the coins are collectible or valuable, cleaning will almost always reduce their value — sometimes by as much as 90% — and cleaning won’t improve their grading (the standards used by coin collectors and dealers to evaluate a coin), so you should usually let them be. If, however, you’ve just got some old coins around that aren’t worth much more than their face value, but which you would still like to make more presentable, you can usually clean them up pretty nicely without damaging their surfaces too noticeably.
2007-11-10 14:14:14 · answer #4 · answered by Jason W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT, under any circumstances, clean it. you will lose value by doing that. it's worth between $5-$15. if it was a 1909S VDB, then you would have a coin worth thousands.
2007-11-10 14:09:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
To clean a penny the best thing is to take an eraser from a pencil and began to softly go over the penny with the eraser. Then soak the penny in a little vinegar. Check it every once in a while. Then continue to rub the penny with the eraser until you get it to what you want it too look like!
2007-11-10 14:11:22 · answer #6 · answered by magnolia9chick 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
DIP IT IN BAM
2007-11-10 14:09:50 · answer #7 · answered by rannbabyduck 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
hoe. :)
2007-11-10 14:13:47 · answer #8 · answered by NNNIA 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋