Anyone have good success with dipping a half dime?

Loki

I have a 1836 Capped Bust half dime with light but rather grotesque-looking original toning. I believe a successful dip will do wonders, but I am afraid to try attempting this myself without hopefully some good advice from more experienced board members.

Do I dilute the dip with water or use it full strength? How long should I dip this half-dime for? The toning is on the light side, so I think a minimal amount of dip time will suffice. But what is a minimal amount of dip time? Any preferences as to a particular dipping product I should use?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

TomB

My suggestion is to leave the half-dime alone. I say this because circulated coinage often looks unnaturally bright and obviously altered after a dip. If you are unhappy with the piece why don't you sell it and buy one that makes you satisfied? I say this so that others may enjoy the piece you currently own.

Russ

<< <i>The coin looks to be high VF/Low XF >>



Personally, I wouldn't dip a coin in that grade. It makes it painfully obvious that the coin has been cleaned since coins with that much wear are never naturally white. But, if you don't care about that, the method I use for dipping silver proof coins should work just fine:

Four glass bowls.

50/50 eZest/distilled water mix - 91% isopropyl alcohol - distilled water - distilled water.

Five to seven seconds swirl in the eZest mix shake off, then 60 seconds swirl in the alcohol, shake off, then 30 seconds swirl in first distilled water bowl, shake off, then 30 seconds swirl in final water bowl, shake off. Dry with compressed air - and finish off with a hair dryer on low setting. Let sit on a cotton diaper for a week or so, turning over once each day to make sure no spotting or haze re-emerges.

eZest, aka Jeweluster, is available at most coin dealers. The alcohol, you'll probably need to get at a drug store - most grocery stores only carry 70% and it is not as effective as a neutralizing solution.

Be sure to practice on some junk coins first.

Russ, NCNE

TomB

Now that you've put the image up I must say that the coin is much lighter in appearance than what I had anticipated. I still wouldn't dip it but I bet you will get good advice on how to dip this coin within the next day. Good luck with it.

Russ

Now that you've posted the scan, I'll re-emphasize that I wouldn't dip it. That coin looks just fine the way it is.

Russ, NCNE

Russ

Damn, you're fast Tom!

Russ, NCNE

Loki

OK Thanks guys. I will leave it alone and it will go up on a NR auction starting at $1 just as soon as I get done with the listing.
Thanks for posting your dipping formula Russ!!! I will try it with some cheap raw stuff I have.

Loki

Here is the listing as promised, just in case anyone is interested in it. At least it's well-struck, I'll give it that.

dorkkarl

the coin appears to have already been cleaned anyway.

K S