Tarnish

24K

Is there a way to remove tarnish without affecting the valve of the coin?
I found (during renovation in a wall) a beautiful 1853 dime and its completely black.

Also will dug coins tone? Over the years (25) I found lots of silver coins with my metal detector but none of them have started to tone. Most get put into a jar but the nicer ones (condition/mintage) will go into a coin holder.

Thank you

tjkillian

First, Welcome to the boards, you've come to the right place. Next, don't clean you coins in any method, including trying to remove "tarnish". We coin collectors call that "toning". Next, if you can post a picture of each coin, we can help you out more. Next, you might consider taking the coin to a coin dealer and asking their opinion. What ever you do, do it carefully as you don't want to ruin the value of the coin, or the coin itself. Learn as much as you can before you do anything that cannot be undone.

Tom

Steve27

"Tarnish" or heavy black toning probably cannot be removed (a scan of the coin would help). However, if the toning is light enough, then it can be removed via "dipping" a process wherein the coin is immersed in a mild acid solution (usually a product such as Jewel Luster is used). This is considered to be "conservation" vice "cleaning" by the grading services and thus does not affect the value of the coin.

nwcs

Welcome to the boards! Great questions, too. The tarnish, as Tom mentioned, is really a tone. It is a natural protective surface for the coin. In some cases, it can be attractive and in others not very attractive. Usually, it can only be removed without much damage to the coin if the tone is very light. Typically, the darker the color the worse you have to kill a coin to remove the color.

As for dug up coins, it depends on the circumstances. If stored in a dry cool environment, they're unlikely to change. if they've already got toning on them, it'll not change all that much.

24K

Here is the coin. Sorry about the scan but the detail on this coin is excellent. None of the stars are flat, very sharp.

So I gather there is no way to get a dug coin to tone?

Thanks for all of your responses!

BlueCole

DO NOT TOUCH THAT COIN!!!!!!!!

Edit:
^
I wanted to make sure that got there first. That's beaut, anything you do to it will hurt/lose value. As far as dug coins, hop over to the Metal Detecting forum. We always like new blood. That is a great find--you make me drool. MAybe someone with a redbook handy can give you price/variety. I know the arrows by the date signafies somehting, like a composition change, but i'm not sure.

Anyone else?

B.

PS, turn on your PM
also, i checked the Price guide, and depending on MM & grade (which i know nothing about for thar series), it's between 40-170. Great find!!!

Steve27

I agree with BlueCole, there's nothing wrong with the toning on that coin; therefore, don't do anything to it. That's just the type of toning collectors look for as a sign of originality. What does the reverse look like?

24K

Thanks B!

Here's the deal. I have never sold a single coin I've found with my metal detector(25 years) until recently. I'm building up some cash to buy two new detectors, upgrade my land detector and get my first underwater one. I've selected a few coins (1921 SLQ, 1886-S dime, ect..) and have sold or will sell them in the near future. It breaks my heart but the kids are growing like weeds, private school is expensive (our public schools stink) and college will be here before you know it. So grabbing $1,000 bucks out of the checking account doesn't go over well with the bride. This coin will be easier to sell because I didn't find it with my metal detector. I was renovating our first home and I found it in a wall I removed.

I'm thinking about putting it up on Ebay but wondering about a fair starting price? I'm fairly confident that it grades at least EF. I was thinking that perhaps the dark toning "tarnish" would turn off a lot off potenial bidders? Agree? Fair starting price?

24K

Steve,
I guess you answered part of my question while I was writting it. Thanks.

The rev is just as nice as the front and just as dark. Really, the scan doesn't show the detail. I can't figure out how this coin tarnished evenly on both sides. I assume the coin was laying flat somewhere within the wall. I thought only one of the sides ( the one exposed to the air) would tarnish.

One more thing, should I describe this coin as "tarnished" or "toned".

Thanks again!

nwcs

The coin could be from $50-100 depending. I like the color on it, too. Please don't feel tempted to dip it! I can't believe you'd find it in a wall! Argh! Never get that lucky.

>One more thing, should I describe this coin as "tarnished" or "toned".

In our field, it's always toned.

BlueCole

The only grading i could do would be with Photograde, off of a scan, which usually isn't a good combo. If i remember correectly, the EF price is about 50 bucks. . . but if you want a better deal, i'd try to sell it on the buy/sell/trade boards. No listing fees, the people here (IMHO) would do you better with payment, Etc. It would be less hassle, i think. Of course, with Ebay, you could get a much higher price if a bidding war breaks out, so take that into consideration.

I understand about wifey's & brides getting upset about $$ . . . they're funny that way.


Have you checked out the MDing forum yet?

B.

PS, turn on your PM

B.

coinlover

Welcome to the boards. Maybe you could give the board members (or me) a chance to buy it first before you put it on Ebay. Turn on your pm (in profile).
Karen

prooflike

For being inside a wall, an incredible find! I like contrating circ coins like that, it is very nice.

24K

Thanks everyone, you answered a lot of questions for me. I'm working to get the better scanner up and running so I can give bidders a better picture.

This is really a great site. I did check out the MD forum, I'm sure I'll be spending sometime on it.

Thanks again!

PM is on

Rotts

Welcome to the forum..Nice coin... Rotts