Can you post pictures? I've never had good results from cleaning old copper coins found when metal detecting...usually the details disappear with the crud and corrosion.
I would take it to a coin dealer that you trust and ask them for help in person. They can diagnose the coin properly. On the forum that will be hard to impossible.
And I would recommend not risking cleaning it until you have a professional help as a "nice 1820" would be worth a good amount.
I've heard of the olive oil before and tried it with some junk wheats that I found. It did not work well. I also have a 1822 that I found in the same condition. Both were found in my back yard.
I suggest that you brush the coin lightly with an old toothbrush to remove any loose dirt. This method is used on dug ancient coins with a similar patina.
Any attempt to remove the patina chemically, will result in a badly pitted surface.
1820 large cent
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Posted - 02/08/2010 : 10:19:41
