New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

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Cleaning 'modern' half crowns

Goldflinger		Posted : Saturday, 14 November 2015 9:47:37 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 26/08/2015(UTC) Posts: 44 Location: In a small hole in a riverbank Thanks: 40 times Was thanked: 21 time(s) in 19 post(s)		Hi guys, Really good hunt this morning, from out of the sliced drink cans came not only my first, but also my second half crown - Stoked! Bonus find was a 1917 Oz halfpenny. More Stoked!! These are soaking in olive oil at the moment (I gather that's what you do with them) but is there any way to restore the shine to the half crowns? They are a very dull cocoa brown at the moment and since they have no value (1947 and 1950) I'd like to make them gleam again (without losing the awesome pattern on the front. While I think about it, people talk about obverse side of a coin - is that the head or the other side? Thanks Going to have some breakfast now and stare at my finds :) HH GF
		Pilot of a Mighty AT Pro - "Gold Flinger"

LittleKiwiDetecting		Posted : Saturday, 14 November 2015 2:47:00 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 7/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 236 Location: Auckland.... Thanks: 308 times Was thanked: 54 time(s) in 44 post(s)		Hi GF, The obverse is the front of the coin and for cleaning them- (only if your willing) tomato sauce works, then you shine it with a wet tissue. This doesn't always work and I would only recommend it for some coins.
		Fisher F22 2016 Pre-decimals: 10 Best Finds: German Pistol, Horse bit, Lead Belt Buckle

grubby		Posted : Saturday, 14 November 2015 9:32:20 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 1/06/2013(UTC) Posts: 130 Location: west auckland Thanks: 13 times Was thanked: 36 time(s) in 31 post(s)		A bit of a soak in cloudy ammonia and then a gentle rub with baking soda and a little water works a treat on silver. All New Zealand threepence, sixpence, shillings, florins and half crowns up to and including 1947 are 50% silver. Sorry I have no advice for cleaning post '47 half crowns. Edited by user Saturday, 14 November 2015 9:37:14 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

creamer		Posted : Sunday, 15 November 2015 12:39:31 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 19/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,022 Location: Bay of Islands Thanks: 2289 times Was thanked: 525 time(s) in 391 post(s)		Hi Goldflinger. The 1947 half crown is silver. They made the half crowns only in silver up till 1949. The 1950 is copro nickel. Very hard to clean when they are stained brown. A couple mins in CLR may work but not always the best option. HH .
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LittleKiwiDetecting		Posted : Sunday, 15 November 2015 1:12:55 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 7/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 236 Location: Auckland.... Thanks: 308 times Was thanked: 54 time(s) in 44 post(s)		My option works most of the time but is not proffesional or great... But I think creamer and grubby have got better ones as I have never found a half crown.
		Fisher F22 2016 Pre-decimals: 10 Best Finds: German Pistol, Horse bit, Lead Belt Buckle

Chrispy		Posted : Sunday, 15 November 2015 1:53:36 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 31/07/2012(UTC) Posts: 314 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 82 times Was thanked: 230 time(s) in 102 post(s)		All NZ silver coins stopped being produced 1946. After that they were coupro nickle. Not sure how to clean those but I'll have a play as I have a few.

Goldflinger		Posted : Sunday, 15 November 2015 7:13:00 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 26/08/2015(UTC) Posts: 44 Location: In a small hole in a riverbank Thanks: 40 times Was thanked: 21 time(s) in 19 post(s)		Thanks guys, Have been repeatedly soaking in ammonia, then 'scrubbing' with baking soda which seems to be cleaning the worst off, but looks like it will never gleam again. Surface appears to be spongy, which I assume is the copper getting sucked out over the years. Looks respectable enough to go on the mantlepiece now anyway. Have to find one of those fancy shiny 1933 ones! HH GF
		Pilot of a Mighty AT Pro - "Gold Flinger"

creamer		Posted : Monday, 16 November 2015 1:50:16 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 19/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,022 Location: Bay of Islands Thanks: 2289 times Was thanked: 525 time(s) in 391 post(s)		Even our silver coins which were only 50/50 silver content, can be notoriously difficult to get to shine again once theve been under ground for some time depending on where. The ones found in good dirt seem to be alright. Beach and mud coins turn green or black. Learn something everyday, thought they made the half crown in silver up till 49 but no, it was 47. HH . Edited by user Monday, 16 November 2015 2:10:56 PM(UTC) \| Reason: HDDD (High Definition Detecting Disorder)
		Garrett Ace 350 Xpointer www.nzfossickers.co.nz
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LittleKiwiDetecting		Posted : Monday, 16 November 2015 5:40:31 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 7/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 236 Location: Auckland.... Thanks: 308 times Was thanked: 54 time(s) in 44 post(s)		Finding a silver coin is my dream, along with finding a Victorian... Imagine a Victorian English half crown? Probably dreaming way too far there... Lol!
		Fisher F22 2016 Pre-decimals: 10 Best Finds: German Pistol, Horse bit, Lead Belt Buckle