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

[gordonquixote]

Nice results! If it were mine, I would have cleaned it as well. Great coin for sure.

[sonnydigs]

Thank you..
The pics are deceiving, it's actually a hi silver sheen with no discoloration..
Sonnydigs

Originally Posted by gordonquixote

Nice results! If it were mine, I would have cleaned it as well. Great coin for sure.

[Mama2Twins]

That takes a lot of stones to use CLR. That is some hardcore cleaner. If I used that, the coin would have evaporated.
Whether CLR or another method, cleaning a coin affects the value. You are keeping the coin and made it more beautiful which is awesome. Congrats and thanks for posting!

[007tallguy]

wow! that method did a really nice job!

are you using one of those USB microscopes to take your pics? under different lighting conditions, the "shine" might have showed up.
but those are great photos, nice and clr... i mean clear, lol.

Pete

[copper head]

great job , i've been using CLR on silver for years now and the worse side effects is that it will usually turn the silver to a dull grey but a jeweler's cloth will bring the nice sheen back . it will do a great job on brass and tombac buttons as well .

[sonnydigs]

Thanks to you all for your comments..
Actually pics were taken with my iPhone 4g..
I rest it on top of a glass shooting downward..
Sonnydigs

[Snoop]

Looks like it did the trick! I fail to see the whole "never clean your coins" perspective. Who wants to look at a bunch of indistinctive dirt? Not that I'm the voice of experience or anything, but it seems to me that any damage done to the coin would've been done during cleaning. If the coin comes out looking better than before, who cares if it was cleaned? It's not like a piece of furniture where you're removing the original stain or something...you're just restoring it to its original condition, or at least close to it.

[sonnydigs]

Thanks,
I agree, I'm very happy with it..
Sonnydigs

Originally Posted by Snoop

Looks like it did the trick! I fail to see the whole "never clean your coins" perspective. Who wants to look at a bunch of indistinctive dirt? Not that I'm the voice of experience or anything, but it seems to me that any damage done to the coin would've been done during cleaning. If the coin comes out looking better than before, who cares if it was cleaned? It's not like a piece of furniture where you're removing the original stain or something...you're just restoring it to its original condition, or at least close to it.

[Robo99]

Looks good Sonny, I agree that cleaning a key date or valuable coin would be a no-no, but a coin you dug, that is nothing more than a coin, I see no problem with it. Might try this on that seated I found in Greenville. Thanks.

[sonnydigs]

If you do I would check it frequently... It works pretty fast, I used it straight up no dilution .. You could cut it with water... It will definately take any mineral crust off.. I soaked a clean silver Rosie just to make sure it wouldn't damage it.. That worked fine so I gave it a shot..
Sonnydigs

Originally Posted by Robo99

Looks good Sonny, I agree that cleaning a key date or valuable coin would be a no-no, but a coin you dug, that is nothing more than a coin, I see no problem with it. Might try this on that seated I found in Greenville. Thanks.

[Sonny b]

I have never tried clr on any of my stuff but it looks like a good idea. I do however agree that if it is not a key date coin but you plan to keep it for your own enjoyment, you might as well make it presentable for your display case. Good job Sonny.

[Robo99]

Originally Posted by sonnydigs

If you do I would check it frequently... It works pretty fast, I used it straight up no dilution .. You could cut it with water... It will definately take any mineral crust off.. I soaked a clean silver Rosie just to make sure it wouldn't damage it.. That worked fine so I gave it a shot..
Sonnydigs

I had thought that the seated might have been a counterfeit after seeing a response on my post, until I dug a Rosie in the same park in the same condition. Both air tested as they should, and have the silver "clink". Might try it on the Rosie first. Thanks again Sonny!

[sonnydigs]

Use a nice shiny one you don't care about..
Sonnydigs

Originally Posted by Robo99

I had thought that the seated might have been a counterfeit after seeing a response on my post, until I dug a Rosie in the same park in the same condition. Both air tested as they should, and have the silver "clink". Might try it on the Rosie first. Thanks again Sonny!

[sonnydigs]

Thanks Sonny b,
I've only tried this on the silver dime.. If anyone tries it on copper please post back.. Use something that doesn't matter..
Sonnydigs

Originally Posted by Sonny b

I have never tried clr on any of my stuff but it looks like a good idea. I do however agree that if it is not a key date coin but you plan to keep it for your own enjoyment, you might as well make it presentable for your display case. Good job Sonny.

[copper head]

Originally Posted by sonnydigs

Thanks Sonny b,
I've only tried this on the silver dime.. If anyone tries it on copper please post back.. Use something that doesn't matter..
Sonnydigs

i strongly urge that you don't use CLR on copper coins as it is harmful to them

[sonnydigs]

Point taken..
Thanks..
Sonnydigs

QUOTE=copper head;1255723]i strongly urge that you don't use CLR on copper coins as it is harmful to them[/QUOTE]

[keex]

Looks Fantastic Sonny !!!!

[ugadigger]

looks great!

[sonnydigs]

Thanks guys.. Appreciated..
Sonnydigs