Gotta take what they give you!

[drodda777]

Was driving through my small town this morning and noticed they had removed a small part of the sidewalk down town next to the old town hall building. They had forms in place but did not get the walk replaced yet. So I went home and got the E-trac and a bottle of water and headed for town. It took all of a bout 30 minutes to cover the sidewalk area. I managed to rescue this 1883 Seated dime from its concrete tomb and it was being guarded by two injuns also. The injuns are enjoying a nice Olive oil bath so there are no pictures. The coins all had this crust like on them. How would you clean this dime to get it to look silver again? The Injuns were an 1897 and a 1901.

HH,

Dave

 

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[RJH02]

Nice coin.

 

[Goose-0]

Dave, sorry to say, but I think your dime is toast. I've found 3 dimes under removed sidewalks, 2 in central Minn and 1 in Montana. I think the chemicals and moisture in the concrete when laid really stain silver coinage. All other silver coinage I've found (100s) I easily clean with a paste of baking soda.

 

[NGE]

It is the lime in the concrete that turns the silver coins into toast. the one you got can be cleaned with electrolysis.......NGE

 

[drodda777]

So far every coin I have used Electrolisis on has been turned black and looks pitted. So I am leary about trying it on this coin. I have ruined three wheaties and an Injun with Electrolisis so I am willing to keep this one like it is before putting it through that.

The injuns have the same slag coating on them. I did not even know they were injuns till I got home. At least I could read the dates on all three after a rinse in the sink.

Thanks for the replies though,

Dave

 

[NGE]

Are you hooking your leads up right? If not, you will get nasty coating of whatever you are using for an anode on your coins. Check out the coin and artifact cleaning and preservation forum on this site.....NGE

 

[drodda777]

If you hook them up backwards the spoon will bubble not the coin? Am I correct about this? The coin always seems to bubble like crazy. I might be leaving the coin in a little too long but I don't know. That is the part i do not like about it. It seems like a shot in the dark and not really an exact science.

I got the specs for making my Electrolosis setup from the forum. This has allowed me to get dates on coins that I could not read before but it also seemed to make the coin pitted or rough. And the coins turned dark also.

Thanks for the help though.

Dave

 

[NGE]

If the coin is bubbling, you have it hooked up right. If your coins are coming out pitted, it is because they were pitted before you cleaned 'em. Also heavy corrosion will be removed leaving deteriorated surface showing. Check progress often, only remove what you want, then rinse in clean running water with a soft toothbrush..........NGE

 

[Tank69]

I'd take it an do a happy dance nice find

 

[silverfreak]

Nice find buddy.

whether it cleans up or not...it's a great find.

I usually work and work a silver coin like that with baking soda. Sometimes you can make some headway..sometimes you don't

 

[allen]

just leave it the way it is !!
shes a beauty !!!

 

[Dr. Ace]

Dave,

A big congrats on the seated!! Outside of the tarnish, it looks like it is in good condition. Great definition!!

You're right about taking what they give you. You just gotta be happy with what you get, and for a 30 minute hunt, you did great!

I'm still looking for a seated. Now there's one less for me to find, thanks to you....

Do you think you've got enough silver for the year? Maybe you could let me find a few now.

Sorry I missed your call. I was eating dinner at my folks. We'll get together soon, I hope.

HH,

Dr. Ace

 

[drodda777]

This is a new picture after a little baking soda rub. The coin looks silver in person now but I can't get my scanner to see it that way?

HH,

Dave