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How do I get accurate valuation on a Mercury Dime 1916-D Graded N92FB rainbow toning?

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Answers

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @IkesT said:

    @mr1931S said:

    @Tramp said:
    Good subject OP.

    I've also kicked around the idea of resubmitting but only after cracking out. It's hard for me to believe that if I sent a designated cleaned coin to PCGS for reconsideration that their mind would change knowing it had a prior designation as "cleaned".

    I'm convinced that, more often than not, "cleaned" designation is a determination involving more guesswork than anything else. It's like "oh yeah? who says?" I think "cleaned", the word, should be done away with on holder labels for being too subjective.

    From now on, all TPGs will instead use the designation "harschely cleaned" in your honor. :D

    oh yeah? Are you spokesperson now for all TPGs? I have been giving consideration to having some of my 1909-S pennies given Harsche numbers on the label. Do I have to pay extra to have that done? If anybody would know it would be you.

    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
    ---Albert Einstein (b. 14Mar1879--d. 18Apr1955)

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,582 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2, 2025 11:23AM

    My opinion is that Tramp's pictured 1916-D dime has not been cleaned but sending it in for reconsideration is not something I would do if it were my coin. There are a few good reasons to crack a coin out of it's slab and Tramp's coin in it's labelled as "cleaned" holder is one of the best examples I've ever seen for a reason to crack a coin out of TPG slab. It's got a verification as authentic number. That's all it needs. The piece speaks for itself and definitely is not screaming "cleaned" to me.

    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
    ---Albert Einstein (b. 14Mar1879--d. 18Apr1955)

  • IkesTIkesT Posts: 3,819 ✭✭✭✭✭


    What's the deal with your signature line?

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 37,177 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mr1931S said:

    @IkesT said:

    @mr1931S said:

    @Tramp said:
    Good subject OP.

    I've also kicked around the idea of resubmitting but only after cracking out. It's hard for me to believe that if I sent a designated cleaned coin to PCGS for reconsideration that their mind would change knowing it had a prior designation as "cleaned".

    I'm convinced that, more often than not, "cleaned" designation is a determination involving more guesswork than anything else. It's like "oh yeah? who says?" I think "cleaned", the word, should be done away with on holder labels for being too subjective.

    From now on, all TPGs will instead use the designation "harschely cleaned" in your honor. :D

    oh yeah? Are you spokesperson now for all TPGs? I have been giving consideration to having some of my 1909-S pennies given Harsche numbers on the label. Do I have to pay extra to have that done? If anybody would know it would be you.

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,576 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 3, 2025 3:55AM

    Edited to add: I apologize, as my reply below were about the coin which @NerdsLTD has posted.

    @mr1931S said:
    My opinion is that Tramp's pictured 1916-D dime has not been cleaned but sending it in for reconsideration is not something I would do if it were my coin. There are a few good reasons to crack a coin out of it's slab and Tramp's coin in it's labelled as "cleaned" holder is one of the best examples I've ever seen for a reason to crack a coin out of TPG slab. It's got a verification as authentic number. That's all it needs. The piece speaks for itself and definitely is not screaming "cleaned" to me.

    While the coin doesn’t look cleaned to you, it does to multiple other posters who viewed the same images you did. And more importantly, it looked cleaned to the PCGS graders who examined the coin in hand.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    While the coin doesn’t look cleaned to you, it does to multiple other posters who viewed the same images you did. And more importantly, it looked cleaned to the PCGS graders who examined the coin in hand.

    Does it look cleaned to you? The Truviews aren't screaming cleaned to me and I've given my opinion. But what's your opinion from viewing the Truviews?

    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
    ---Albert Einstein (b. 14Mar1879--d. 18Apr1955)

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,576 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 3, 2025 3:56AM

    Edited to add: I apologize, as my reply below were about the coin which @NerdsLTD has posted.

    @mr1931S said:
    While the coin doesn’t look cleaned to you, it does to multiple other posters who viewed the same images you did. And more importantly, it looked cleaned to the PCGS graders who examined the coin in hand.

    Does it look cleaned to you? The Truviews aren't screaming cleaned to me and I've given my opinion. But what's your opinion from viewing the Truviews?

    Yes, it looks cleaned to me, due to the noticeably darker protected areas at the periphery of each side, as well as the lighter right-side obverse and left-side reverse fields.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,582 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2, 2025 4:40PM

    Yes, it looks cleaned to me, due to the noticeably darker protected areas at the periphery of each side, as well as the lighter right-side obverse and left-side reverse fields.

    Okay, that's your opinion. If this were my coin it would get precision cracked out of it's slab with my Dremel. I would make an 8x10 glossy of the Truview to hang on the wall near my coin inspection station. I call the coin choice au and rather like the natural light russet toning it has. This piece would look great in an album with the rest of my au and bu Mercury dimes.

    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
    ---Albert Einstein (b. 14Mar1879--d. 18Apr1955)

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 37,177 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mr1931S said:
    Yes, it looks cleaned to me, due to the noticeably darker protected areas at the periphery of each side, as well as the lighter right-side obverse and left-side reverse fields.

    Okay, that's your opinion. If this were my coin it would get precision cracked out of it's slab with my Dremel. I would make an 8x10 glossy of the Truview to hang on the wall near my coin inspection station. I call the coin choice au and rather like the natural light russet toning it has. This piece would look great in album with the rest of my au and bu Mercury dimes.

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • @Tramp said:
    Good subject OP.

    I've also kicked around the idea of resubmitting but only after cracking out. It's hard for me to believe that if I sent a designated cleaned coin to PCGS for reconsideration that their mind would change knowing it had a prior designation as "cleaned".

    Fair point! I’m hoping for XF not a clean grade.

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks, MsMorrisine. It's nice to have your acceptance of my opinions. ;)

    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
    ---Albert Einstein (b. 14Mar1879--d. 18Apr1955)

  • What are the one times set up fees GC collects?

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,377 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2, 2025 5:21PM

    @mr1931S said:
    Okay, that's your opinion.

    Unless the coin has been in your possession since it came off the dies in 1916, it's pretty much all opinions.

  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,315 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Honestly, I’d crack and stick it on a sunny window sill for about 4 months. Turn it over every month so each side gets 60 days.

  • @MasonG said:

    @mr1931S said:
    Okay, that's your opinion.

    Unless the coin has been in your possession since it came off the dies in 1916, it's pretty much all opinions.

    It definitely hasn’t. Are there any 109-year-olds amongst us? And no, yelling at kids to get off your lawn doesn’t make one over a century old. :-)

  • @tradedollarnut said:
    Honestly, I’d crack and stick it on a sunny window sill for about 4 months. Turn it over every month so each side gets 60 days.

    Help me understand. What is the rationale behind this? Is it the heat or the light or both? What would such a treatment accomplish that couldn’t be accomplished in the slab?

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What's the deal with your signature line?

    I'm happy that at least you're not busy desecrating images of iconic Rockwell paintings by limiting your silliness to altering my sig line in your posts to say what you want it to say. ;)

    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
    ---Albert Einstein (b. 14Mar1879--d. 18Apr1955)

  • @DisneyFan said:
    Given that you would like to sell the complete collection, and assuming all coins have not been sent to PCGS, it would seem worthwhile for you to show the collection to dealers in person. Where are you located?

    In Albuquerque, NM.
    The dealers here so far have stuck to the, low-ball-and-see-what-happens-approach. New Mexico is one of the poorest states in the union and I am guessing people don’t show them coins unless they are desperate to sell. As such, I’m guessing, this strategy has a much higher success rate here than it would anywhere else. I am in no hurry.

  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,315 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2, 2025 7:02PM

    @NerdsLTD said:

    @tradedollarnut said:
    Honestly, I’d crack and stick it on a sunny window sill for about 4 months. Turn it over every month so each side gets 60 days.

    Help me understand. What is the rationale behind this? Is it the heat or the light or both? What would such a treatment accomplish that couldn’t be accomplished in the slab?

    It’s a natural acceleration of toning that covers cleaning. I had a trade dollar that came back cleaned - did this and it graded. Puts a natural surface over the unnatural surface

  • @tradedollarnut said:

    @NerdsLTD said:

    @tradedollarnut said:
    Honestly, I’d crack and stick it on a sunny window sill for about 4 months. Turn it over every month so each side gets 60 days.

    Help me understand. What is the rationale behind this? Is it the heat or the light or both? What would such a treatment accomplish that couldn’t be accomplished in the slab?

    It’s a natural acceleration of toning that covers cleaning. I had a trade dollar that came back cleaned - did this and it graded Puts a natural surface over the unnatural surface

    Gotcha. I'll whip out the macro lens and see if I can't give a few more views.

  • Here's a quick macro shot. I don't have my lighting rig set up, so this is natural light.

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 37,177 ✭✭✭✭✭

    lighting set up needed

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mr1931S said:
    Yes, it looks cleaned to me, due to the noticeably darker protected areas at the periphery of each side, as well as the lighter right-side obverse and left-side reverse fields.

    Okay, that's your opinion. If this were my coin it would get precision cracked out of it's slab with my Dremel. I would make an 8x10 glossy of the Truview to hang on the wall near my coin inspection station. I call the coin choice au and rather like the natural light russet toning it has. This piece would look great in an album with the rest of my au and bu Mercury dimes.

    Don't you mean your collection of VF and XF dimes?

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,865 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2, 2025 7:07PM

    @NerdsLTD said:
    Here's a quick macro shot. I don't have my lighting rig set up, so this is natural light.
    ![](h

    Looks cleaned and retoned.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @tradedollarnut said:

    @NerdsLTD said:

    @tradedollarnut said:
    Honestly, I’d crack and stick it on a sunny window sill for about 4 months. Turn it over every month so each side gets 60 days.

    Help me understand. What is the rationale behind this? Is it the heat or the light or both? What would such a treatment accomplish that couldn’t be accomplished in the slab?

    It’s a natural acceleration of toning that covers cleaning. I had a trade dollar that came back cleaned - did this and it graded. Puts a natural surface over the unnatural surface

    Is there or are there any chemical treatments prior to putting the coin on a window sill for four months that would be helpful? Acetone soak comes to mind but I'm not saying it's the thing to do. All that's going to do is remove oil from the piece but are there known prior treatments to help ensure that Nerds gets the best result possible from the window sill method of restoration?

    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
    ---Albert Einstein (b. 14Mar1879--d. 18Apr1955)

  • DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,649 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @NerdsLTD said:

    @DisneyFan said:
    Given that you would like to sell the complete collection, and assuming all coins have not been sent to PCGS, it would seem worthwhile for you to show the collection to dealers in person. Where are you located?

    In Albuquerque, NM.
    The dealers here so far have stuck to the, low-ball-and-see-what-happens-approach. New Mexico is one of the poorest states in the union and I am guessing people don’t show them coins unless they are desperate to sell. As such, I’m guessing, this strategy has a much higher success rate here than it would anywhere else. I am in no hurry.

    That's helpful.

    From reading your earlier posts it appears there are several collections, you made an effort to be knowledgeable, and have really tried to understand the coin market. You've also stated you are considering becoming a collector yourself.

    There is no magic trick to get the highest and best prices for the coins. Local dealers can buy nominal value coins at today's high melt values. GC can sell the key and semikey coins for fair prices at auction with minimal commissions and quick payments. It could also be worthwhile to submit a list of these key and semikey coins to our frequent contributor, Mark Feld, at Heritage whom I found makes very competitive to auction offers.

    Another option is to make what you consider a fair offer, as you say, somewhere between retail and wholesale, to the owner(s) and enjoy the collection.

  • @DisneyFan said:

    @NerdsLTD said:

    @DisneyFan said:
    Given that you would like to sell the complete collection, and assuming all coins have not been sent to PCGS, it would seem worthwhile for you to show the collection to dealers in person. Where are you located?

    In Albuquerque, NM.
    The dealers here so far have stuck to the, low-ball-and-see-what-happens-approach. New Mexico is one of the poorest states in the union and I am guessing people don’t show them coins unless they are desperate to sell. As such, I’m guessing, this strategy has a much higher success rate here than it would anywhere else. I am in no hurry.

    That's helpful.

    From reading your earlier posts it appears there are several collections, you made an effort to be knowledgeable, and have really tried to understand the coin market. You've also stated you are considering becoming a collector yourself.

    There is no magic trick to get the highest and best prices for the coins. Local dealers can buy nominal value coins at today's high melt values. GC can sell the key and semikey coins for fair prices at auction with minimal commissions and quick payments. It could also be worthwhile to submit a list of these key and semikey coins to our frequent contributor, Mark Feld, at Heritage whom I found makes very competitive to auction offers.

    Another option is to make what you consider a fair offer, as you say, somewhere between retail and wholesale, to the owner(s) and enjoy the collection.

    Thank you for taking the time to read it all. Nearly everything key and semi- key has been graded. There's an unc set of 1932-1964 Washington Quarters including original sales receipts from Stacks NYC in the 60s. The Indian Head Cents are nearly all graded. The only set I haven't sent keys off to are the '32-64 XF-AU Washington Quarters. Perhaps just the 32-D & 32-S. I'll reach out to him. Is he on the forum or should I reach out directly? I'm guessing you're saying he'll make an offer akin to having Heritage auction them.

  • it took a little doing, but I finally got the backfocus right.

  • @mr1931S said:
    My opinion is that Tramp's pictured 1916-D dime has not been cleaned but sending it in for reconsideration is not something I would do if it were my coin. There are a few good reasons to crack a coin out of it's slab and Tramp's coin in it's labelled as "cleaned" holder is one of the best examples I've ever seen for a reason to crack a coin out of TPG slab. It's got a verification as authentic number. That's all it needs. The piece speaks for itself and definitely is not screaming "cleaned" to me.

    @Tramp your coin looks much better than mine. hands down.

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,502 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would not do this window-sill thing to this coin. You'll end up with two types of toning from two different environments and it's likely they'll catch it and add a "questionable toning" to the details label. If the coin was toneless, near white coin, recently cleaned, yeah, sure, give it a shot! I've done this to lower grade lightly cleaned MS60 to MS64 coins that had an ugly haze of some sort to enhance them. But not anything that I'd send in for grading. The window-sill basting will add a light to brown gold toning depends on how long the experiment lasts, exposed to that environment. It might do better during the summer months than winter. Toning depends upon the amount of humidity in the air taking place at the time. Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,649 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @NerdsLTD said:

    @DisneyFan said:

    That's helpful.

    From reading your earlier posts it appears there are several collections, you made an effort to be knowledgeable, and have really tried to understand the coin market. You've also stated you are considering becoming a collector yourself.

    There is no magic trick to get the highest and best prices for the coins. Local dealers can buy nominal value coins at today's high melt values. GC can sell the key and semikey coins for fair prices at auction with minimal commissions and quick payments. It could also be worthwhile to submit a list of these key and semikey coins to our frequent contributor, Mark Feld, at Heritage whom I found makes very competitive to auction offers.

    Another option is to make what you consider a fair offer, as you say, somewhere between retail and wholesale, to the owner(s) and enjoy the collection.

    Thank you for taking the time to read it all. Nearly everything key and semi- key has been graded. There's an unc set of 1932-1964 Washington Quarters including original sales receipts from Stacks NYC in the 60s. The Indian Head Cents are nearly all graded. The only set I haven't sent keys off to are the '32-64 XF-AU Washington Quarters. Perhaps just the 32-D & 32-S. I'll reach out to him. Is he on the forum or should I reach out directly? I'm guessing you're saying he'll make an offer akin to having Heritage auction them.

    Yes -

    @MFeld said:

    Edited to add: I apologize, as my reply below were about the coin which @NerdsLTD has posted.

    @mr1931S said:
    While the coin doesn’t look cleaned to you, it does to multiple other posters who viewed the same images you did. And more importantly, it looked cleaned to the PCGS graders who examined the coin in hand.

    Does it look cleaned to you? The Truviews aren't screaming cleaned to me and I've given my opinion. But what's your opinion from viewing the Truviews?

    Yes, it looks cleaned to me, due to the noticeably darker protected areas at the periphery of each side, as well as the lighter right-side obverse and left-side reverse fields.

    You can private message him or contact him via the forum

  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,315 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @leothelyon said:
    I would not do this window-sill thing to this coin. You'll end up with two types of toning from two different environments and it's likely they'll catch it and add a "questionable toning" to the details label. If the coin was toneless, near white coin, recently cleaned, yeah, sure, give it a shot! I've done this to lower grade lightly cleaned MS60 to MS64 coins that had an ugly haze of some sort to enhance them. But not anything that I'd send in for grading. The window-sill basting will add a light to brown gold toning depends on how long the experiment lasts, exposed to that environment. It might do better during the summer months than winter. Toning depends upon the amount of humidity in the air taking place at the time. Leo

    Oh I’m talking about the white one pictured in the thread

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @leothelyon said:
    I would not do this window-sill thing to this coin. You'll end up with two types of toning from two different environments and it's likely they'll catch it and add a "questionable toning" to the details label. If the coin was toneless, near white coin, recently cleaned, yeah, sure, give it a shot! I've done this to lower grade lightly cleaned MS60 to MS64 coins that had an ugly haze of some sort to enhance them. But not anything that I'd send in for grading. The window-sill basting will add a light to brown gold toning depends on how long the experiment lasts, exposed to that environment. It might do better during the summer months than winter. Toning depends upon the amount of humidity in the air taking place at the time. Leo

    You are saying it's kind of a crapshoot for Nerds to be doing the window sill thing then. Nerds would need to take the extra step of treating the coin chemically to remove old toning essentially starting over with the piece by making it white is what you are saying? I agree that would be a very tough decision to make. Is it worth the risk? Nerds' coin is tending to being more moderately, not lightly, circulated so golden , or russet, or brown tones after window silling might make his coin look strange to a potental buyer? I'm actually seeing traces of mint luster on the au details piece appearing in this thread. Mercury dimes that are uncirculated to lightly circulated often have those golden hues. Dime gets wear to the point of xf and lower and those golden hints associated with mint luster disappear. In light of your remarks, I would agree with a decision to "let the coin be." Ask xf details money for it and be patient trying to get it. An experienced collector will either find the coin acceptable for his /her collection or not. All Nerds needs is one serious buyer who likes what he or she sees with the "meatiness" of his '16-D, cleaned designation notwithstanding.

    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
    ---Albert Einstein (b. 14Mar1879--d. 18Apr1955)

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,868 ✭✭✭✭✭

    After reading this entire thread, I agree with the others that consigning to GC for the 16-D dime would be the best option. Please don't try to add additional toning to a coin that is okay for what it is.

    Lastly, purely my opinion on timing, I'd consign it now in case the coin market dives as a result of the general economic climate. Maximize your opportunity, I say. :)

    Seated Half Society member #38

    "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
    running like a water color in the rain...."
  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @mr1931S said:
    Yes, it looks cleaned to me, due to the noticeably darker protected areas at the periphery of each side, as well as the lighter right-side obverse and left-side reverse fields.

    Okay, that's your opinion. If this were my coin it would get precision cracked out of it's slab with my Dremel. I would make an 8x10 glossy of the Truview to hang on the wall near my coin inspection station. I call the coin choice au and rather like the natural light russet toning it has. This piece would look great in an album with the rest of my au and bu Mercury dimes.

    Don't you mean your collection of VF and XF dimes?

    No, I mean my collection of au and bu dimes. I go with FB pieces for bu and my au's should have mint luster with bands well-defined for me to get excited about it. I have a '45 with 3/4 of full center bands. I cherry picked it out of a triple row box at the coin store. I'm in the process now of evaluating my collecting interests. What am I trying to do with my coin collecting is the question i've been asking myself. '16-D, especially in nicer grade, say VF or better, is a stopper for me in Mercury dime series. Probably is for you too, eh?

    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
    ---Albert Einstein (b. 14Mar1879--d. 18Apr1955)

  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,396 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The images you provided of your coin make it appear it has pretty evident cleaning lines and that it likely, in my experience and opinion, acquired a secondary toning through natural means. In other words, someone cleaned it up aggressively at one point to make it bright, but then it sat undisturbed in an album for years or decades and gradually toned on its own afterward.

    I'm still of a mind to simply list it on GC, take your funds and be done with it. If I recall correctly, GC charges a buyer's fee (aka; really a seller's fee) of 12.5% or 10%, depending upon payment method, and a coin that sells for $1k or more doesn't pay any additional fees. Of course, you can still ask the best way to sell the coin every few days until the piece is 109-years older than it is now, but that is up to you.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image

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