How To Clean My First Barber Dime Based On Its Grade? (PICS)

[Brett]

I've read through a bunch of posts in this forum about cleaning silver, but no two are alike. Everyone is suggesting a different option. I believe the answer is, what condition it is in will determine how you should clean it. Well I wanted to post some large pictures to ask just how I should clean it based on its grade? I would like to keep it in my personal collection, with the chance that I may sell it if totally broke one day. So far I never wiped it, and only rinsed it with tap water.

Please offer any grading comments followed by suggested cleaning method. Thank you so much! This is my first little baby so I'm treating her gently.

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[jsu]

Don`t clean it. It looks to be in great shape. Any cleaning will diminish the numismatic value. I usually do exactly what you said, rinse it with water and I use my finger to wipe off any dirt. NICE COIN!!

 

[Sylth]

I'm not sure about grading, but as for cleaning, well, the stand-by is to never clean old coins. Personally, tho, since I'm never going to sell em, I use an ultrasonic cleaner for my coins. Just fill it with water, drop your coin(s) in, and turn it on; far as I can tell, it doesn't damage the coin at all, since its just water and vibrations. Just used it on a merc I found yesterday; I'd left alot of dirt on it to keep it in as best shape as I could. Came out sparkling

Here's a link to the cleaner I use: http://www.sonicsonline.com/cleanosonicxl.html

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

I agree, I wouldn't clean it, you'll hate yourself if you do clean and hate the results.
CurbdiggerCarl

 

[Brett]

cdc57, thanks for the reply. Yeah I never did end up cleaning it anymore than I did. It's just wrapped up in some tissue in a small baggy waiting for a proper home. I don't really like those cardboard sleeves, and I was thinking about trying to arrange my coin finds into a "book" of sorts. But I'd like to put them in a "nice" book. A wooden box book with thick clear pages would be awexome, but I don't know if that exists or if it would be something I'd have to have made. I'm not good with wood or I might try something like that.

 

[SamsSon]

Don't clean it. There are few times when I'd say clean a modern coin.

I've cleaned hundreds of shipwreck and beach find coins and relics (not found in U.S. waters, etc.). But modern coinage (ca. 1700's-to date) should almost never be cleaned.

You may find this hard to believe but that toning (discoloration) on your dime makes your dime worth more than the same condition dime that was cleaned.

90%+ of modern coin collectors HATE cleaned coins.

Very nice dime. It's been way too long since I found one.

P.S. NEVER rub a coin after it's dug to read the date. See most dug silver coins on this forum have nasty scratches due to the person rubbing abrasive dirt on the coin. This is very very bad and lowers a valuable coin by as much as 50%.

 

[Brett]

Thanks SamsSon! I think you are absolutely right on all points. The dirty oxidized toning of dug coins is starting to grow on me. They are just different that proof coins and you have to remember that it's potentially been in the ground for 100 years or more so that's something special on it's own.

Take care and HH!!!
Rooty

 

[Siegfried Schlagrule]

cdc57, thanks for the reply. Yeah I never did end up cleaning it anymore than I did. It's just wrapped up in some tissue in a small baggy waiting for a proper home. I don't really like those cardboard sleeves, and I was thinking about trying to arrange my coin finds into a "book" of sorts. But I'd like to put them in a "nice" book. A wooden box book with thick clear pages would be awexome, but I don't know if that exists or if it would be something I'd have to have made. I'm not good with wood or I might try something like that.

check into the Capital line of hard plastic coin wall plaques and quit putting silver coins in tissue paper. As the paper ages it reverts to wood pulp which releases sulphuric acid which pits and tarnishes your silver coins. regards, siegfried schlagrule

 

[Brett]

Also good advice! Thanks.

 

[alpha105]

cdc57, thanks for the reply. Yeah I never did end up cleaning it anymore than I did. It's just wrapped up in some tissue in a small baggy waiting for a proper home. I don't really like those cardboard sleeves, and I was thinking about trying to arrange my coin finds into a "book" of sorts. But I'd like to put them in a "nice" book. A wooden box book with thick clear pages would be awexome, but I don't know if that exists or if it would be something I'd have to have made. I'm not good with wood or I might try something like that.

What does everyone think about putting regular plastic over the coin....both sides....and then using Glad press and Seal to make pages.....i know...im wierd....but wouldnt it look nice?