just posting these and reading on the internet is helping figure out what i got never looked to close at them family colection 1837 1 cent can i clean these with antibacterial soap 1 1

[jimbean802]

or should i clean them because it looks like the darkening on the coin is going to ruin it

[Greenstang]

It is not advised to clean any coin except for soaking in pure acetone. 
I usually let mine soak for about 24 hrs. to remove gunk and residue. Make sure your container is covered.

[Sandon]

   I agree that it is best to only try to remove surface dirt from a coin with a neutral solvent such as acetone, which will not form a chemical compound by interacting with the coin's metal or abrade its surface. Copper is highly reactive and may be unfavorably affected even by soap. Bear in mind that acetone is highly flammable and should be used far away from any possible flame or spark and in a well-ventilated area. The green substance is likely a compound that has already formed on the surface (environmental damage or corrosion) and probably can't be removed without further damaging this piece.

  What you have is technically not a coin but a "Hard Times token", many different types of which were privately produced from approximately 1834 to 1841. Many, like this one, have a political theme, criticizing President Andrew Jackson (the "illustrious predecessor" on this token, depicted as a person_too_unaware_of_social_graces) or his successor, President Martin Van Buren. The phrase "I follow in the steps of my illustrious predecessor" comes from Van Buren's inaugural address. The trunk labeled "subtreasury" mounted on a turtle's back refers to Jackson's depositing federal monies into favored local banks designated "subtreasuries" instead of renewing the charter of the Bank of the United States, which had previously been the depository for most such funds. I think that this is a common variety of no great value in this condition, but it is still a piece of historical interest.

   

[dprince1138]

The oxidation of a copper coin cannot be changed.

[Henri Charriere]

Generally speaking, cleaning is a dirty word in numismatics.

[powermad5000]

I would not clean this token with anything. Especially copper. I feel the color and original surface are pleasing to the eye for a token of this age and I am sure collectors would appreciate an unmolested surface and original chocolate brown coloration.

[JT2]

Don't touch them!  get a 2 x 2 flip  and put them in it.   they are desirable just the way they are to a hard times token collector.

[EagleRJO]

On 11/19/2023 at 12:22 PM, Sandon said:

What you have is technically not a coin but a "Hard Times token" ........

Where did you find such detailed info about this token?

On 11/19/2023 at 11:03 AM, Greenstang said:

It is not advised to clean any coin except for soaking in pure acetone.

I also agree with this, except I don’t consider just soaking in acetone which has a neutral pH really "cleaning" as it's more like just a "solution soak" to me.

On 11/19/2023 at 9:52 AM, jimbean802 said:

... can I clean these with antibacterial soap

I once did a check by very gently cleaning one of two virtually identical coins from a roll with soap and warm water.  I took photos and examined them with magnification before and after, touching or handling both in the same manner except the control coin wasn't cleaned with soap.  I was astonished at the rub marks and very fine hairline scratches clearly present on the coin cleaned with soap and water, even though I was trying to be extremely careful.

I think small particles in the gunk stuck to the coin were pushed along the surfaces of the coin, just by the act of trying to remove them, which caused hairlines.  And just moving my finger on the surfaces with soap, even where there was no gunk, caused some rub marks.  I will post the comparison photos if I can find them again as it was a long time ago.

Very nice token (not 1 cent) by the way. 

Edited November 20, 2023 by EagleRJO

[Sandon]

On 11/20/2023 at 8:04 AM, EagleRJO said:

Where did you find such detailed info about this token?

   My knowledge of U.S. history, going back to high school and including my own reading, enhances and is in part the source of my appreciation of numismatic items.  There is a brief overview of this period in the standard "Redbook", 2023 edition at p.17.