Would you clean this?

lanvan

Newbie
Apr 23, 2015
2
4
Central PA
Detector(s) used
Garrett Ace 350
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
This is my first year detecting and I've found a few silvers so far. I'm torn and trying to fight temptation to clean a Merc I found. It's a 1919 and very dark and splotchy. What is your opinion? Clean it or leave it as is?
I'm new to this and just not sure how ugly is too ugly. Thanks.

Mercury dimes.jpg
Mercury dimes 2.jpg
 

Upvote 0

masterjedi

Bronze Member
May 24, 2014
1,757
1,349
Oregon
Detector(s) used
Minelab's CTX 3030, E-Trac & EQ800, Fisher F75LTD SE & F44, Whites MXT All PRO, Whites TRX Pointer & Shovel, Predator Tools Raptor hand digger & Ranger shovel. Grey Ghost Ultimate headphones.
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Do not clean it.... no need to...
 

Loco-Digger

Gold Member
Jun 16, 2014
11,827
17,744
Northern O-H-I-O
🥇 Banner finds
1
Detector(s) used
F75 LTD, 1280X Aquanaut, & a Patriot (back-up/loaner)
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
It appears to be smaller than the clean merc, maybe a fake??? Or do the colors of the coins make the dirty one look smaller???
 

OP
OP
L

lanvan

Newbie
Apr 23, 2015
2
4
Central PA
Detector(s) used
Garrett Ace 350
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I took the picture at a slight angle on the counter top making the clean one a bit closer to the camera. I assure you they are the same size. Sounds like I should leave it alone.
 

bigfoot1

Silver Member
Nov 1, 2011
3,765
3,399
so.cal.mtns.
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
garrett,minelab,fisher,,,atp current weapon of choice
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
bah-humbug....clean the tar out of it if it makes you happy.you dont have the holy grail there.the best part of finding a"keeper"is keeping it.are you going to sell it to buy half a burger?

I say clean it real pretty,get a bezel and wear it on a necklace for good luck while hunting.

do what makes you happy,once you know you dont have a key date etc then what you have is 2 bucks in melt....or...a sweet goodluck charm and conversation piece.
 

jeff of pa

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 19, 2003
85,842
59,628
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
yes Absolutely ! With a good ink Eraser , or Fine Sandpaper :thumbsup:

actually I agree with bigfoot1 . but go 1 step more.
I personally don't clean any coin except the Date & Mintmark areas
of coins I can't get a full i-d on any other way.
but if you like shiny clean coins Go for it.
Even the 1916-D dimes.
after all they would be yours to enjoy your way
 

Last edited:

Skippy SH13

Bronze Member
Feb 18, 2015
1,131
2,376
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
It's technically junk silver, since there is not much numistmatic value unless it's the 1919-s (which it didn't look like it was). Clean away if you prefer a shiny coin in your collection! It's going to be worth about $1.50 either way.

Skippy
 

cudamark

Gold Member
Top Banner Poster
Mar 16, 2011
13,221
14,545
San Diego
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus 2, Equinox 800/900, Fisher Impulse AQ, E-Trac, 3 Excal 1000's, White's TM808, VibraProbe, 15" NEL Attack, Mi6, Steath 920ix and 720i scoops, TRX, etc....
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I agree with those who say, go ahead and clean if it makes you happy. It's not an MS65FSB coin, so why worry about it. Soak it in some vinegar for a few hours up to a day, then rub it with baking soda and rinse. Use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner if you want a gentler method.
 

SusanMN

Silver Member
Jun 1, 2007
4,534
4,098
Minnesota
Detector(s) used
Tiger Shark, Xterra 705, Makro Legend
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Give it an overnight soak in lemon juice. If a coin isn't rare or very old, it's not,going to be worth more than melt value, so why not have it look good.
 

pgfhgs

Sr. Member
Dec 23, 2014
255
141
Sedona AZ
Detector(s) used
Whites V3i, AT Pro, Ace 250, Tesoro, Teknetics, Bounty Hunter EQ 800
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Its yours do with it as you would be pleased!!!!!!
 

BadM0nkey

Full Member
Apr 28, 2013
246
77
Andover, NJ
Detector(s) used
Fisher F75 SE Limited Edition
Garrett ProPointer
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Clean it and show it off.
 

Higgy

Bronze Member
Jul 21, 2014
1,415
1,264
NH
Detector(s) used
Xp Deus, Tesoro Tiger Shark, Garrett AT Pro, Garrett Pro-Pointer
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I'll go one further. I will trade you a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a shiny new Roosevelt dime. DONE! No more worries! :tongue3:
 

JoeB_OH

Sr. Member
Dec 19, 2012
290
491
Cleveland , Ohio
Detector(s) used
Fisher F44, Bounty Hunter Pioneer 505, Bounty Hunter Tracker 4.
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I have used Olive oil to clean silver! It works, just needs to soak a couple Hrs., sometimes longer.
 

basque-man

Silver Member
Sep 26, 2014
2,521
3,119
W. Nevada / N. CA
🥇 Banner finds
1
Detector(s) used
XP Deus; Minelab E-Trac; Son (Wyatt) uses XP Deus!
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Either way, they are cool finds. You can do whatever ya want. Now if it was a key date; that's a different story!
 

Captain Caveman

Silver Member
May 14, 2015
2,513
2,234
Madison, MS
Detector(s) used
Fisher F75SE, F44, F2 and CZ-20. Minelab E-TRAC and Go-Find 60. Tesoro Tejon. BH Quick Silver.
Primary Interest:
Other
Congrats on the Mercs! They look great!
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Discussions

Top