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Question for the dipping pros out there
scotty4449
Posts: 718 ✭✭✭✭✭
This coin has great luster and would be really attractive if it didn't have all the extra junk on there. Is this a coin that would benefit from dipping, or is that gunk permanent?
Thanks!
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I don’t think it’s permanent. If you really want to keep it but want it ‘brighter’, and want to ‘do it yourself’ rather than a professional conservation service, I’d suggest starting with MS70 first, and see if you are happy with the results.
If you want it brighter still, move on to something more aggressive like dipping in EZ Zest. But bear in mind that this will remove metal, so there’s no going back, and probably more coins are ruined than improved by amateurs doing this.
Type I 3cS are the only US silver coin with 25% rather than 10% copper.
Type I's generally don't have as much satin frost produced and surface textures are often bright yet somewhat subtly granular. Stripped of but a little copper, they often face-up as "pickled". Most Type I dipping opportunities are opportunities to lose money.
That "gunk" is mostly toning,
I don't like MS70 on most earlier-than-Barber issues.
You could try a soak acetone to take some of that gunk off.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Some of the gunk may be organic and acetone will usually work. Just be careful, the toning underneath may not match the rest of the coin. If the gunk is toning, acetone won't touch it
I would leave it alone.
+1
I’d leave it alone if that doesn’t work because you’ll probably screw it up otherwise.
I would definitely give it a good acetone bath.....it will only remove any organics that are on the surface... do not rub it.. a good soak and gently roll a Qtip across the wet surface.... then rinse in alcohol followed by hot, running water. Cheers, RickO
I would soak it in just water for a few hours. Next I would try acetone. No rubbing. I would not dip the coin.
The 1853 trime was made of 75% silver and 25% copper. As such this is a coin that can grow really ugly spots that are impossible to remove. I view this piece as above avearge for eye appeal for this issue. Messing with it will expose virgin metal and the potential for some really ugly results in the long run.
Look at a number of Mint State graded examples of the Type I trime, and you will see what I mean. Like it or not, I think that this is about as good as it gets for the Type I (1851-3) trime. The grade for this one is PCGS MS-66.