Cleaning A Large Cent - Before and After!

In this metal detecting video I share the story about a large cent that I found earlier this summer. I did some light cleaning then but it still looked pretty toasty. Well now that we are in the winter months and cannot metal detect I decided to see of I could clean it up to make it more presentable. I used some warm water, wooden pick sticks, Q-Tips and a set of Andre's Pencils (cleaning tools) along with some olive oil and elbow grease. Wow was I surprised by the results. If you are interested in cleaning some coins try this or check out some of my other videos featuring the Ugly Box electrolysis tool.

[@dondtektor8537]

Very helpful, Thank You,,,

[@0529mpb]

Most ancient coins are heavily dirt encrusted when they are dug out. Olive oil is not used anymore because it is acidic. Distilled water is sometimes used. We are moving away from that and just using picks and scalpels. You start with metal picks and move to softer materials. It takes a steady hand and loads of patience. The goal is to keep all of the patina.

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Appreciate your comments. Thx.

[@Findingwithfrequency]

Excellent job 👍

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thank you!

[@FloridaRobTreasureHunting]

Looks incredible, well done. Ironically I just dug an 1847 as well. The relief on mine is not as good but I'm going to give the cleaning a try. Great video thank you.

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

You bet. Good luck on the cleaning Rob and happy thanksgiving!

[@hawkeinmd]

I have a 1845 Braided Hair that I would love to have it look like yours. I'm just afraid of ruining it.

[@DiggingCanuck]

Stunning example of an 'after' !! Beautiful.

[@MD-NWWI]

Great work! That turned out beautiful!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thx Greg!

[@jordandoucet6887]

Amazing result!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thanks. It was really more dirty than corroded but she sure did clean up nice!

[@badgers3255]

Thanks Rob. Great video. I found a large cent 2 years ago and have been afraid to touch it. Turned out great!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Go for it!

[@Buckleboy]

Great video!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thanks. She cleaned up well!

[@5against4]

That's a nice one!! Great job on the clean up! Tc and Happy Hunting my friend

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thank you!

[@PinkPowerAllyTreasureHunter]

Nice job!!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thank you!

[@SWWisconsinMetalDetecting]

Great cleaning job, she looks minty.

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

She cleaned up well but I think it had to be in pretty good shape when lost.

[@SouthCoastDetecting]

Well done Rob that coin is a stunner!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thx buddy. Btw- you inspired me w your diet. Way to go. I’m down 12 lbs. hope to drop another 10!

[@IdahoDirtDigger]

Well done. That's a good looking coin. 👍

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thx. She cleaned up well!

[@therelichunters]

Absolutely, Beautiful!!! Great job buddy!!!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thx buddy!

[@chuckmartin6049]

Wow that is good information about what to try cleaning coins. I didn't know about the pencils. Will have to look for some. Thank you

[@reds1325]

I'm so jealous of everyone finding large cents my best coin is a 1866 3 cent piece, on the same property was also a few Indian head pennies, no other coins. I've found v nickels, barber dimes,Merc dimes silver Roosevelts, silver war nickels but the two that I can't seem to find is a large cent and a silver quarter. Im definitely trying.

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Hang in there. I’ve only found two!!! There elusive for sure.

[@reds1325]

@@TheHistoryDigger1 I didn't think I'd find the 3 cent nickel before a large cent but I'm optimistic that I'll come across one soon.

[@MetalDetectingNYC]

You did a great job with that coin!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Thx Merrill. Btw- love your channel. By far, the most creative out there in the MDng community. Thx!!

[@carlsowell8099]

Very informative! Thank You for pointing this out.

[@DeanoDetects]

Hey buddy. 👋🏻😃 Shame you can’t get out because of the weather but I enjoyed the video. The transformation is amazing with careful cleaning and care! 💖 Thanks for sharing, take care and be lucky. 💖😃👍🏻

[@westrokker]

Very cool, just found a 1817 large cent today! Going to use your method to clean it up.

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Sweet! Let us know how it turns out.

[@westrokker]

@@TheHistoryDigger1 damn, I screwed it up. Not your fault though. Your method cleaned it up a little. It was actually a 1837. I saw another you tube video that showed a guy using a leaded pencil to rub off/ remove dirt and buildup. Now I can’t read the date anymore! Lesson learned. I need to be more patient and go slower. I’ll stick with your method next time…

[@pas112472]

Great job!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Much appreciated!

[@boardxtremist]

Beginner here…. Question for ya, Out here in California, a lot of folks do beach detecting and pull a ton of oxidised (rusted looking) coins out of the sand. Is there a way to clean all of these recovered coins? I heard in another detectorist’s video about a polisher?

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

It depends on the condition but many use rock tumblers to clean their clad coins. Some are too far gone for that though.

[@stringfrenzy]

Nice work

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Much appreciated. She was in pretty good shape when dropped, dirty for sure but was still surprised by how well it cleaned up. (Btw- Go Bengals!)

[@dawnwilliams4625]

Wow! That came out great Rob!

[@akoutsouradis]

Wow. That cleaned up beautifully! Most of the ones I find out my way are very crusty from the fertilizers used in the fields, but every once in a while we get some nicer ones.

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

This was pulled from the site of my towns first home. It was nearby a watermill and on a smaller lot do doubtful it was farmed. Thankfully it was also dropped in pretty good shape. Thx for watching.

[@sherlocktonesnycmetaldetec1260]

Nice work Rob. It takes a lot of patience. Great end product.

[@masonmercmetaldetecting]

Incredible!

[@IndianaTones]

Cool!

[@markg4561]

Rob how do you feel about using white vinegar for soaking?

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

I ruined one of my first Indian Head pennies that way. You really have to watch them. I don’t use that method. Just the pencils, water or for some coins will do electrolysis. Just proceed with caution if you do and test first on a junker.

[@markg4561]

@@TheHistoryDigger1 I dug a coin but now I’m not so sure but it’s round thin and plinks like a coin from a civil war field but it’s so toasted I really don’t know what it is. White vinegar took a lot off but I tried cause I felt I had nothing to lose . Still don’t know what it is which is too bad. Thanks for the great videos

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

@@markg4561 there are some who use hydrogen peroxide on old coppers. It’s a very quick but careful process. You can google to see how it works. I’ve never tried that method but one of my friends did snd had some success.

[@kellyh3356]

I ruined a two cent piece with vinegar. It went from legible to ruined. Be very cautious and remember that you can never go back.

[@digginrelicsintn9952]

Coin looked great after your cleaning.

[@preserving_the_past]

Thanks for sharing. 🤙🏼Chris 🤙🏼

[@finders-keepers1518]

That coin had to be dropped in 1847! What a beautiful braided hair. Nice job!

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

It is one of my favorites!! Some great history too behind the location.

[@HistoryRevisiteduk]

That's the great thing about this great hobby, still a lot of things you can do if you can not get out for some reason. I was in isolation so made a test garden , the missies wasn't to happy, but the grass will grow back, one day lol What a cracking coin. Enjoyed the video , thanks for sharing 🙏 Do you use the go pro. all though great for distance shots they don't do to well if closer then 12 inch to the lens, you can pick macro lens stacks with a 52 mill adaptor for the pro, can get around 4 inches to the lens so work great for close ups.

[@TheHistoryDigger1]

Do you have any tips or tricks for cleaning old coins? If so, pls drop a comment below and share with others. Also, check out my two electrolysis videos featuring the “Ugly Box”!

[@TobaccoRowe1960]

Still has environmental damage, keep going. Soak in Simple Green, then soak in Fluoride Toothpaste. Repeat, repeat. repeat.......