Crusty disc restored to an 1853 seated dime..

[sonnydigs]

OK, I was determined to get more of the thick black crust off my 1853 seated dime which I found about a month ago.. Here is the link where it was posted.. http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=113941 If you look at the original post you will see the dime sitting between 2 Wheaties.. The coin was nearly unidentifiable other than the date when I found it..

I had tried everything I could find and tried all but electrolysis, but was afraid if I did it might pit the coin where the clip would attach.. I have experienced this with iron objects.. I never have tried it on silver and perhaps it would have worked just as well..

After all my attempts with little to no progress I decided to use CLR and baking soda.. (soaking in the CLR only) I used a shot glass submerged the coin with the solution just covering it with about a 1/4 inch over it.. I set a timer at 1 hr , after each hr I removed the coin and with a toothbrush soaked in CLR I would dip the brush into baking soda (you will see the CLR and baking soda react when mixed, it will start bubbling and foaming up) and carefully scrub turning the coin as to get the whole surface.. Then rinse the coin and use baking soda and CLR (dip my fingers into the CLR then the baking soda, making a paste) and my fingers to scrub again.. Doing this till nothing else would come off.. (you will see as you scrub between your fingers a black/greenish residue coming off) Rinse the coin and then place the coin back into the CLR with the other side facing up.. (I also changed the CLR a couple of times when it would start to turn green) Alternating soaking and scrubbing each side with this process this is the results I got.. I'm very pleased with the coin now.. Here are the before and after pics.. Remember this is blown up, a lot.. In your hand they look new.. Now I know some will say I may have runied the value, to me it's worth much more to me in this condition..I would never sale it anyway..
Thanks for looking, hope this helps someone that has a coin that isn't showing any detail.. Nothing to loose..HH
Sonnydigs