yesterday husband found a oin in a pile of soil we moved.The coin is larger then a quarter but smaller then a silver dollar,i think it maybe a 1/2 penny. It is in bad shape{dirty} so I cn only make out a head on the front faceing left and on the back it looks like a wreath of leaves that does not meet at the top. Ok ? #1 how do you clean it? it looks green but under part of it it looks silvery,and not copper. #2 any way of rubbing it or something to find the date? Tank

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), April 11, 2001

Answers

First, do not use a chemical to clean. Use only mild soap and water. For some reason, coin collectors value the aged patina.

Use a magnifying glass to read the inscriptions. You can buy an inexpensive book on coins or go to the library. If there is an accessible coin shop, take it there.

Keep it for sentimental reasons. In my opinion, old coins do not have a collector price on them so large that they are worth selling. For the coins of exceptional value, they have to be in exceptional shape or have some irregularity in the making. I prefer the value of holding something in my hands so old and thinking of all the other hands that may have held it and what it meant to them. It is also a history lesson in itself.

If it is a helf penny of the type you describe, I believe those were around the time of the Civil war or a little later.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), April 11, 2001.

Renee, half cents were just slightly smaller than our current quarter, maybe a sixteenth of an inch smaller. Large cents were about 3/16" larger in diameter. The wreath of leaves was started about 1793/4 and continues up to the last mintage in 1857. Large cents with the left facing head started in about 1808. If it is a large cent, it should say one cent in the center of the wreath. Do not clean it if you want to sell as the value will be greatly diminished. Wash with plain soap and water and do not scrub.

-- Lynn Goltz (lynngoltz@aol.com), April 11, 2001.

Can't help much on the original question, but here's another. We, as many others, perhaps especially old (don't get weird, old Uncle Bead is still a few days shy of 60 turns of the sun) grandfolks are being silly and saving the new quarters in little books for the grandchildren. They will probably bewcome worth at least 26 cents in a hundred years or5 so, but, what the hell - have fun! We have a bunch or each year (did they coin 26 kazillion, bajillion South Carolina?) but all are Philadelphia mint. Anyone want to trade a few Denvers for our Philadelphias? I have not paid a premium for any of these - they are just almost uncirculated - plain old good looking change. Anyone with Denver markings want to trade? I'll trust you and send mine first. But if you try to stiff me, I WILL find you and stay with you for many days at your expense! Have fun, and GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), April 11, 2001.

I agree with you Brad I think thats about all they did was South Carolina. Now I'm not down talking that great state but there are ohters out there. I have lots of the P coins too and would like to get the d coins if possible.

-- michelle (tsjheath@ainop.com), April 13, 2001.

do an internet search on "numismatics", the business of coin collecting. you may find an egroup that discusses coins. there are 39 goups dedicated to coin collecting at yahoogroups.com

http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/dir/Hobbies___Crafts/Collecting/Coins_and_ Currency

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), April 13, 2001.

I think rubbing the coin lightly with toothpaste under running water should be OK...

-- Mitzi Giles (Egiles2@prodigy.net), April 13, 2001.