This coin has a solid vdi of 56 on my AT Pro. Found about 5 inches deep on a property dating back to the mid 1800’s. It is slightly thinner than a US penny. I’m not sure what type of coin can ring as a 56. Any ideas?
That's kinda what I was thinking.I'd suggest tossing it into a little olive oil for a couple few weeks and having at it with an old toothbrush. As it stands, reading 56 on your AT, my hunch given its overall shape, edge and reported thickness is you might have turned up an Indian Head Penny.
Have you tried anything to clean it yet?
Cliff
I'd suggest tossing it into a little olive oil for a couple-few weeks and having at it with an old toothbrush. As it stands, reading 56 on your AT, my hunch given its overall shape, edge and reported thickness is you might have turned up an Indian Head Penny. I think I may actually be able to make out a couple of feathers from the headdress, though I can't be sure. In any event, don't quit your day job!
IMO 56 seems awful low for an IHP or any penny for that matter. Even with erosion it looks to be somewhat full size if it is. Maybe its encrusted in iron rich soil or something? IHP's usually ring up in the upper 70's on my AT-Pro.
Might I suggest mineral oil vs olive oil next time. Olive oil is organic which really darkens coppers and will leave fatty acids. I stopped using it years ago after it ruined a sweet 2 cent piece, darkened so much that it was hard to see the details.
If olive oil is used on a coin, it must be degreased with acetone.
New photos after cleaning. I still can’t figure out what it is.
well, yeah, there are hints of the IHP headdress ...
but how the heck did it clean up to look like either old lead or silver ? tough to say which is which as the photos vary.
could it be a lead fake IHP ? what does it ring up after clean up, air test? where's lead and or copper and or silver land on that AT scale ?
Must be the camera giving it a shiny lead/silver color. Looks more like copper in person. I haven’t checked how it rings up now that it’s clean. It was ringing much lower than an Indian head should but I guess I’ll take majority vote as it is an indian head.