Best way to clean this 1901 O Barber dime? Update AFTER/BEFORE PIX

Coinlearner

LanLord

I do not believe anything you do to that coin will result in improved eye appeal.

Just leave it be.

lordmarcovan

Maybe a little lemon juice to lighten it a bit while hopefully not totally wiping out the original toning.

Or fast dip in diluted dip solution, followed by a good rinse.

That's if you insist upon cleaning it at all. It's dark and has slightly negative eye appeal as-is, to be sure, but that doesn't automatically mean it HAS to be cleaned. Some would prefer it original, of course.

lordmarcovan

Do I detect some peckmarks and a scratch or two on the obverse? If so, you've already got a problem coin, so I guess you could make it a project coin. I would try a light dip, as mentioned, to try and bring it down a shade or two lighter, hopefully without totally stripping it. That's a tricky balance to achieve, though, and doesn't always work.

Coinlearner

It's the rust? area's that may be "helped". Almost never clean a coin. This higher grade and fairly low mintage or I'd throw in the junk pile. Have read some past posts on cleaning dug coins,rusty ones etc. Once i start there is no turning back Not that rare of a coin to worry much about. We'll see . May post picture of results, if not too embarrassing. .......>>>> OK read reply below and will update on what happens. Is not a whole lot about cleaning coins,except DON'T over & over again.

lordmarcovan

No, do please post the results, even if they ARE embarrassing. And walk us through your methods. It could be educational, right?

It's a good project coin, maybe. On the one hand, it has issues besides the dark toning, so it's gonna be a problem coin no matter what, but on the other hand, it's got some nice detail hiding under that toning. So if you can improve the eye appeal a little bit, hey- more power to you.

Let us know what you tried and how it turned out. If it's a train wreck, that can be a warning to others.

I'm hoping you have some success. I do not think you are going to have 100% success or a complete turnaround on this one, but think it will be interesting to see whether you can make it a little more eye appealing or not.

Solo

<< <i> May post picture of results, if not too embarrassing. .......>>>> OK read reply below and will update on what happens. Is not a whole lot about cleaning coins,except DON'T over & over again. >>



Please post your results IF you decide to do anything at all (I would leave it be). I'm trying to learn as much as I can so even if you ruin it you should post here so others learn from the mistake. Hopefully that that doesn't happen though. Good luck

magikbilly

We should all look so good after 110 years with such inflation and alterations!
No dip!

Eric

CarlWohlforth

I don't know exactly what you have there but I too would make a project coin of it and post results. I had wonderful results removing scotch tape residue from Barber dimes with acetone. With that coin I'd start with soap and water and gently rub the coin between my fingers in the soapy water. Perhaps an acetone dip after that? Finally a dip in a real coin dip product like LordMarcovan suggests. How about pictures after each step?

I think the only way to save this coin from an educational cleaning project is to make Coinlearner an offer he can't refuse.

lordmarcovan

Acetone might be a good first step. Harmless enough. I don't think it'll do anything, but try it first if you have some. That would be better than a dip. If the acetone doesn't do anything, try lemon juice as a next step. I haven't tried it personally, but I've heard it can be good for silver since it is mildly acidic, and probably not as powerful as a commercial coin dip would be. I heard about this from some ancient coin collectors.

Then diluted dip solution as your last resort.

I agree- educate us while you learn yourself. Make a production out of it. Show each step.

Then if you crash and burn, others can be warned, but if you succeed wildly, we can applaud you.

Or, as most likely will be the case, your results will fall somewhere between those two extremes.

DIMEMAN

Personally I would leave it alone.

Jinx86

I think Id just spray with WD40 to loosen the rust and dab dry and carry in empty pocket for a day or two...or till I like the look of it.

*i have a very active job/physical job*

boyhowdy

Don't bother. It is not the 1901-O/o variety.

Steve

Coinlearner

Start with the less risky cleaning. Used soap,water,toothbrush,toothpick,fingers,cotton. See came out alot lighter,more details showing,original luster on the crops/leaves came out and none before seen. Still some light brown stain and tiny rust spots. May leave it alone or go with chemicals but that may likely remove the gray tone and the luster it has...... Anyway I think it looks better. Always best to practice on less expensive coins before touching the more rare ones that need some attention.

lordmarcovan

It looks like your update shows the "after" above the "before", at least as of this post.

I think it looks a little better. You didn't strip it.

And I'm viewing it on a monitor that's almost as old as the USS Monitor, which displays everything way too darkly (despite having its brightness maxed out). So I look forward to peeking at that when I get to work and have a decent monitor to view it on.

Coinlearner

May get more aggressive in cleaning it but thought a few may like to see some results from less damaging way. Agree with most, that say it is best to never clean coins but a small amount do get helped by cleaning that really have problems, environmental etc.,...

LanceNewmanOCC

.
i would recommend not going any further with the coin unless you can see now that there are NOT any PLS

looks good as it sits though

nice condition with a MM
.

lordmarcovan

Yeah, you might wanna think about puttin' on the brakes now. Looks better. Any more might be too much.