1943/42 Jefferson DDO

[grnwavdav]

Every once in a while a stubble across a non-Lincoln variety. I found this 1943/42 Jefferson DDO in a bag of well circulated war nickles. I know it's a little worn. But do you see the green colored junk on there? Is that oxidation (verdigris)?

[simonm]

Awesome find!

[Chugly]

Nice one! I've been looking for that one for a long time, but since I am mostly focusing on Lincoln's now, I don't check that many Jefferson's. As for the green stuff, it is definitely verdigris but it looks like it could be removed cleanly with a soak in some acetone or verdicare.

[grnwavdav]

Nice one! I've been looking for that one for a long time, but since I am mostly focusing on Lincoln's now, I don't check that many Jefferson's. As for the green stuff, it is definitely verdigris but it looks like it could be removed cleanly with a soak in some acetone or verdicare.

Thanks guys! What would more effective an the least harmful?

[Maineman750]

Give acetone a shot, Badthad tells us it will not react with metal.

[jcuve]

Congrats on a nice class III DDO find. The green stuff might be PVC contamination. It will smell like vinyl. Acetone will take it off, albeit with that much on the coin, it may take a while and there could be damage to the coin under the layer of PVC. It comes from being stored in a vinyl flip or coin book for years. It can happen to Lincolns too, but nickel and clad coinage is the worst for this type of contamination.

[grnwavdav]

When I soak it in Acetone, how long do I let it soak?

[Maineman750]

I always do it in increments....1 hour, if that doesn't work, then try two hours,etc. When trying anything new for the first time, it is always a good idea to experiment on junk coins...even if you get tons of advice...that way you'll know exactly what to expect. And be careful..it is flameable and there are lots of fumes so best to do in a garage although I use mine inside..but just a small baby food jar.

[jcuve]

If it's PVC contamination, it will take a while. I had one with far less green that I had to soak and work at it on and off for 2 days. What really irked me was the hidden damage along one area when I did get it all off. Can't see the damage without serious magnification, but it's there.

I would agree that maybe experimenting with another valueless coin first might be a good approach.

My childhood nickel collection had it. You couldn't really see it, but you could smell it and the coins were sort of sticky. I cannot recall how long I let them soak. Those stupid old vinyl albums they used to sell!

[grnwavdav]

Thank you for the advice. I will definitely experiment first.