1837 Half Dime Cleaned with Electrolysis

[Elad]

This coin spent a long time in harsh and consistently wet soil. The encrustation was really plastered onto the surface. I soaked it in distilled water for a few days and managed to peel some of the junk off but the rest of the stuff was really on there...

I have never seen any silver coin damaged like this before. One of my friends suggested that it may have fire damage, which is possible.

I did a little research and decided to try electrolysis.

(Scroll down for "After" picture.)

 

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[West Jersey Detecting]

Re: Please help me save this capped bust half dime.

What a shame.

Being it was found where it was, I don't think it could have been in a fire. None of the hundreds of other artifacts and coins have the same encrustation.

My only advice would be to work it very carefully with a toothpick. I am no expert, but you cannot ruin what is already ruined. Lets see what the others in the forum have to say.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Re: Please help me save this capped bust half dime.



Dioluted Jenolite Soak in Lemon Juice, Electrolosis, I have used all these methods on Ancient Silver coins, and done no harm

SS

 

[Elad]

Re: Please help me save this capped bust half dime.

I used electrolysis on it today.

7.5 volts in a salt/lemon juice/distilled water mix for 30 seconds. The black stuff came off.... like magic.

It was my first time using electrolysis and it was quite interesting. Some areas of the coin's surface that were underneath the encrustation are pitted (or maybe melted?), but she's still a beauty to behold. (in my eyes at least)