Would you clean this or leave it as is?

[Gimmie The Loot]

I am torn between trying to clean off the dirt/spots or just leave it alone. I know it is only worth $30 or so but I wonder all the time if I would like it to be a little cleaner. I will never sell this coin but it might look better in my display. What do you think?

 

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[bilt46]

Looks just fine the way it is, did you find it in CA.?

 

[Terry Soloman]

If you are keeping it for display go ahead and clean it up! Make YOU happy - not us!

 

[bill from lachine]

A bit of a judgment call I tend to like the old looking patina on coins....because after all they are old.....I didn't check catalog for grade/value....so don't know if that's a key date or not....if some numismatic value better to leave as is...just my 2 cents.

Regards + HH

Bill

 

[sagittarius98]

I wouldn't clean it. It looks good the way it is. It's your coin, so it's your decision, but if I were you, I would just put it in a 2x2 and let it be.

 

[Goes4ever]

no way!!!! it looks perfect right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dustywallen]

I would clean it, dip it, and buff it to a very shiny and prestige looking coin. Throw it on feebay and say hey looks BU to me but I'm not a coin expert. Lol and join everyone else that's doing it

 

[dustywallen]

I would clean it, dip it, and buff it to a very shiny and prestige looking coin. Throw it on feebay and say hey looks BU to me but I'm not a coin expert. Lol and join everyone else that's doing it

Bout forgot photoshop, cropping, lighting, and auto enhance but the biggest thing is estate find!

 

[Gimmie The Loot]

Looks just fine the way it is, did you find it in CA.?

Hey Bilt - This find was from Illinois.

 

[Gimmie The Loot]

Thanks Bill. I forgot that these coins look different because they are so old. The dirt and spots are reminders that we got these from the ground and give us memories of the hunt. This particular coin was found with 6 months of research, 4 hours of driving to the site, and 3 hours of detecting in near freezing temperatures... God I love detecting!

A bit of a judgment call I tend to like the old looking patina on coins....because after all they are old.....I didn't check catalog for grade/value....so don't know if that's a key date or not....if some numismatic value better to leave as is...just my 2 cents.

Regards + HH

Bill

 

[Wildcat1750]

Just my opinion, but I think it looks fine the way it is. Nice Half Dime.

 

[jerseyben]

An acetone dip really won't hurt it and might take care of any remaining dirt.

 

[pong12211]

I think it looks good to me.. But your coin your call..

 

[lastleg]

You might decide to sell it at some point so I say leave it be.

 

[toorude89]

May only worth $30 right now but u don't want to clean it then watch the collector value grow. You can clean anytime but won't ever be able to get the original look back. That said, do whatever you want for your collection.

 

[dougofpa]

I wouldn't...It's only in "original" condition once...once it's clean...it will never go back to the way you found it.

Nice find....4 hours to drive to the site and hunt in 32 degree weather...awesome man.

 

[63bkpkr]

GTL,
That is a wonderful find and thank you for sharing it with us as well as asking your question. If it were me I would leave it as is and especially no rubbing or brushing the dirt off as this will scratch the coin. Coin dealers/collectors look at these coins via magnification and any scratches detract from the coins value. You've an awesome piece of history there, congratulations of the find, the research, the hunt and not freezing to death.............63bkpkr

 

[jerseyben]

GTL,
That is a wonderful find and thank you for sharing it with us as well as asking your question. If it were me I would leave it as is and especially no rubbing or brushing the dirt off as this will scratch the coin. Coin dealers/collectors look at these coins via magnification and any scratches detract from the coins value. You've an awesome piece of history there, congratulations of the find, the research, the hunt and not freezing to death.............63bkpkr

While what you posted is true, you have to consider that this particular coin is a common date. It is also a lower grade. Any subsequent cleaning will not have any dramatic effect on it's value.

 

[okerraine]

Leave it. I never clean any of my silver coins I just rinse the dirt off

 

[Gimmie The Loot]

Thanks for all commenting and sharing all of your views. I have decided to leave the coin as is for now. Mother nature gave it some character and I respect her work


Happy hunting to you all!