found my first silver in a big way--- 1820 dime

[borntohunt460]

found my first silver in a big way--- 1820 dime--UPDATE AT END WITH QUESTION

I wish I had the energy to type out my full story but ill get to it if this ends up as being as good of a find as I think it is.


I found these within 10 minutes of detecting in a very historic place...I was so hungover from the wedding I was at the night before, that the full gravity of my find didn't kick in til hours later.

These are as they came out of the ground and I just gently rubbed some dirt off-- what is the best way if at all to clean for maximum value? If you could also elude to rarity, value etc Id appreciate it. My knowledge of coins is limited as I am just starting to really get into detecting.

 

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[Maniac Detector]

SWEET!! My first silver was a 1890 seated dime in my back yard, I didn't realize its significance either at first, but it wasn't because a handover lol. Still that doesn't touch yours!! Pound that yard!

 

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[arrowhead82]

whatever you do do not rub the dirt off with your finger. it leaves scratches and decreases the value of the coin.
amazing find!
HH

 

[halfdime]

Beautiful coin and you will be very sorry if you rubbed it at all. It is sooooooooooooo hard to resist the urge, and we've all done it, but rubbing in the field will diminish the coin's value and, in some cases, its appearance. That's a great find and you'll probably do well with the rest of the property!

 

[borntohunt460]

I rubbed slightly in the field ---if looking at the coin under a magnifying glass and led flashlight, I don't see any indication the slightest scratch. If that's the case is it ok? I have only let it sit in a shallow bit of distilled water and very gently patted dry---the dirt is still on there and looks pretty much like the picture except without clumps of dirt (where there was dirt clumps there are now just darker patches)

what should I do? :-/

 

[borntohunt460]

I would never sell this but I want to treasure it knowing that I didn't do anything to hurt its value. Since I slightly rubbed it in the field to clear the dirt off (the amount of dirt removed in field is shown on picture) did I hurt the value regardless if even the smallest scratches are not visible? as bright of a light as I can get and as magnified as I can get I see zero scuffs or scratches. just curious with the dirt distribution not being even if the value is lower since it is somewhat evident I cleared the dirt off.

 

[Steve in PA]

Wow! That is a beautiful Capped Bust Dime! I take it you're new to detecting if that's your first silver. If you are a rookie with a hangover you are probably missing some goodies there. Go back with a clear head and a little more experience under your belt. I'm sure there are some pleasant surprises in store for you at that site!

 

[Fattony315]

Love the capped bust, I found one a week ago, great coin.

 

[Evolution]

Great Capped bust!! Don't see those turning up every day. My buddy found one last week and we were both very surprised to see it turn up.

 

[JimmeyC]

I rubbed slightly in the field ---if looking at the coin under a magnifying glass and led flashlight, I don't see any indication the slightest scratch. If that's the case is it ok? I have only let it sit in a shallow bit of distilled water and very gently patted dry---the dirt is still on there and looks pretty much like the picture except without clumps of dirt (where there was dirt clumps there are now just darker patches)

what should I do? :-/

As for the scratches... even if not evedent, if you sent it in for grading they would see them in a microscope. They can usualy be seen by just turning them in the sun. The dark patches are tarnish. Remove dirt only.... the tarnish is what a dealer wants to see. Usually the scratches can be seen as a shine in the tarnish. I hope this helps... again... congrats!

 

[huntsman53]

In what State was the Dime found! If it was found in a northern State that is subject to a lot freezing and thawing, this could explain why it was only 4 inches down. Constant freezing and thawing will cause coins and other items such as rocks to be pushed towards or onto the surface.


Frank

 

[Sovereignelite]

Hold the coin at an angle under a bright light, turn the coin slightly: you will likely see fine scratches which almost ALWAYS happens when you rub dirt off a silver coin. It's like fine grit sandpaper.

I rubbed slightly in the field ---if looking at the coin under a magnifying glass and led flashlight, I don't see any indication the slightest scratch. If that's the case is it ok? I have only let it sit in a shallow bit of distilled water and very gently patted dry---the dirt is still on there and looks pretty much like the picture except without clumps of dirt (where there was dirt clumps there are now just darker patches)

what should I do? :-/

 

[testing123]

I used cold hydrogen peroxide on a barber quarter I found earlier this year. It worked well on taking the dirt off. I used warm hp a few years ago on a couple of silver coins and it seemed to darken them. Cold didnt seem to do anything though in terms of color alteration

 

[borntohunt460]

So here it is as it has been cleansed of dirt so far..what should I do further? If I send this to be graded what should I do further?--the two pictures show different light. holding in the Sun doesn't reveal any scratches. Are the "shiny-ness" on the hair flowing behind her ear evidence of abrasion? with the evidence in the pictures how much have I hurt the value?

 

[cjon455]

awesome coin sir! id say be done with it and do no more!!

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Tenspeed]

Very pretty dime! I would love to find one of those!

As everyone says, don't rub silver unless you want to scratch the item. I carry a small eyeglass cleaner spray bottle full of water to remove soil. The spray helps knock dirt off.

I hope you find more there!

 

[dfx-kevin]

cool finds! go back for more, here in the south i've found an 1820 spanish one reale, there more common in my area but still looking for old american silver

 

[mr_larry]

That is a great coin! The 2014 Red book lists the values as follows:
G-4 $40, G-8 $45, F-12 $60, VF-20 $150, EF-40 $600
These are the values for the small 0 variety, which is what I believe you have.
The description for grading EF-40: LIBERTY sharp. Ear distinct. Hair above eye well defined.
I believe your coin would grade at EF-40 but possibly with an "Environmental Damage" designation. Fantastic coin!!

 

[borntohunt460]

thought id post an update

I thought Id post an update here so it will get some traffic.

to clean my dime, I have only run it under the water but there still seems to be a layer of dirt in the areas that I allowed it to dry on initially.... heres a picture in the air tite container I put it in--it looks a lot better than it does in person (uneven tone because of the dirt layer)



what if anything should I do further to remove the dirt but not even be close to risking damage to the coin. I know that it was covered in dirt for 200 years but if I leave the current dirt on, will it cause any additional corrosion/ weird patina effects?

basically looking for input as to what you all have done with coins of this caliber found in the dirt

 

[postalgriff]

man that is a beauty congrats!